The University of the West Indies will mark World Autism Day 2014 – today, April 2 - by once again lighting key buildings in blue at nightfall, and staging an afternoon of panel discussions – all geared to build awareness of Autism.
 
Dubbed “Light It Up Blue: Autism Awareness”, the panel discussions, hosted by the Department of Child & Adolescent Health in partnership with the Jamaica Autism Support Association will be hosted at the UWI, Undercroft at 4:00pm on April 2.
 
The topics to be discussed will include: Autism Spectrum Disorders, Living with Autism (a parent’s journey and an individual experience). It also includes a panel discussion by the Jamaica Association for Intellectual Disability, Ministry Of Education (Special Ed. Unit) and School of Hope on the resources of Jamaica regarding Autism. This captures occupational therapy, behavioural therapy, speech therapy, and early stimulation programmes.
 
Entertainment will be also be provided by the Randolph Lopez School of Hope Band. All are invited and the admission is free.
 
As part of the celebrations of World Autism Day, the Mona campus will illuminate the exterior of the main administrative building as a show of solidarity.
 
“Light It Up Blue” is a unique global initiative that kicks-off Autism Awareness Month and helps raise awareness about autism. In honor of this historic day, many iconic landmarks, hotels, sporting venues, concert halls, museums, bridges and retail stores around the world are among the thousands of buildings lit blue to raise autism awareness.
 
For last year's observance, 3000 iconic buildings and landmarks in more than 600 cities in over 45 countries illuminated their buildings with a blue light.