SKIES across the North-east will be awash with gold next week, as the region’s landmarks gear up for a very special campaign.
It’s all thanks to the pioneering work of the North East Autism Society and World Autism Acceptance Week starting on Monday (March 28).
With a long list of local authorities and their landmarks ready to ‘go gold’, and in-person events set to return post-pandemic, it looks set to be another record-breaking year for the region’s leading autism-specific service provider.
John Phillipson, CEO at NEAS, said: “Our campaign for Autism Acceptance is now in its fourth year and in that time we’ve made some huge strides. In 2019 we responded to feedback from the autistic community who told us that simply raising awareness wasn’t enough, which is why we changed our focus to acceptance and set about trying to increase understanding and educate the wider public.
“Our goal remains the same: we believe we can collectively create a better world for everyone, but especially – for this week – our focus is on what we can learn and change for the better, for those of us who are autistic.
“That positive message is also backed up by our gold theme, which denotes value and worth.”
Venues going gold in support of Autism Acceptance include:
Sunderland: Northern Spire Bridge, Penshaw Monument, Keel Square, Market Square, Seaburn Lighthouse, Fulwell Mill and Hylton Castle. 28th March – 3rd April
Newcastle: Civic Centre. 2nd April
Gateshead: Gateshead Millennium Bridge. 2nd April
Stockton: Stockton Town Hall, Stockton High Street fountains and columns, Riverside and Newport Bridge. 2nd April
Darlington: Clock Tower. 2nd April
For the past four years, the charity has asked supporters to use the colour gold throughout Autism Acceptance Week, rather than blue which has traditionally been associated with autism.
This change came as a result of direct feedback from the autistic community, as some organisations that focus on lighting up blue talk about deficits or curing autism. It was also at this time that NEAS moved away from campaigning for autism awareness, and began pushing for acceptance instead.
John added: “In real terms being autistic is not negative or positive, while there will be definite aspects of both throughout life. It’s actually neutral. It just ‘is’. Acceptance is about a movement where who we are – in all fullness – is loved and accepted.
“Whether we communicate by speaking or in silence, whether we have other co-existing conditions or have just learned of our diagnosis, whether we need additional support or care, or whether we live independently… every life is equally valued and worthy of being accepted.”
The move from awareness to acceptance has seen the charity, which was founded by a group of parents in Sunderland in 1980, continue to innovate and lead the region in how autism is viewed and understood.
For the second year running, NEAS will host its Acceptance Matters virtual conference on Thursday, April 28, which includes a line-up of autistic speakers and practitioners. While the charity will also be returning to Herrington Country Park on Friday, April 22, for its annual Walk for Acceptance, which had to be cancelled in 2020 and 2021 due to Covid-19.
The Society has also created an educational toolkit for teachers, to support them in delivering lessons around autism and neurodiversity in line with Autism Acceptance Week. To receive the free resource pack, schools simply need to register on the charity’s website.
It’s not too late to sign up to take part in Autism Acceptance Week. To do so, or to find out more about the Acceptance Matters Conference or the Walk for Acceptance, visit: www.ne-as.org.uk/autism-acceptance-week.