Autism Acceptance Day

Ness Bridge and Inverness Castle lit in spectrum colours to celebrate neurodiversity on Autism Acceptance Day

April 2nd 2017

Top 2 Pictures by John Grafton

ARGH would like to thank Highland Council for agreeing to our request to once again light Ness bridge and also this year to include Inverness Castle in spectrum colours to celebrate neurodiversity on Autism Acceptance Day, 2nd of April 2017

Ness Bridge in lit in spectrum colours to celebrate neurodiversity on Autism Acceptance Day

April 2nd 2015

ARGH would like to thank Highland Council for agreeing to our request to light Ness bridge in spectrum colours to celebrate neurodiversity on Autism Acceptance Day on 2nd of April 2015

Autism Acceptance Day is on April 2nd, it coincides with World Autism Awareness Day (WAAD) but differs in that it was started by Autistic people as a way to help others remember that awareness is not enough: acceptance is needed if we are to move towards equality.

Maybe this is the first time neurodiversity has been celebrated so openly by a Scottish Council and perhaps anywhere in the UK (If you know different please send us your pictures and we can put them here). The significance of such a groundbreaking move towards inclusion and celebration of all - whatever our differences, should not be underestimated. It's important that the choice to support Autistic people and others in this way is recognised as an inspiration to everyone around Scotland and beyond.

Last year we educated people locally about Light It Up Blue and the sadness that it brings the Autistic Community, happily they rejected LIUB and this year we thought we'd ask for something special to make people smile. Sometimes it's hard to go out and about on April 2nd, blue and puzzle piece imagery can make it feel like we aren't listened to, can make us feel wished away.

So, this year we asked for the Ness bridge to be lit to reflect neurodiversity and the inclusion of Autistic people. This year Autistic people in Inverness and across Highland could look to the bridge in all of its glory and feel that we are respected and loved, not hated. This along with the newly issued UN statement (Click here), made the day one of hope: share these images to show what Autism Acceptance Day can look like and let's make 2016 more inclusive, more meaningful and less blue.

Still such a long way to go but even raising a small smile on April 2nd is a step in the right direction.

To find out more about Autism Acceptance click here

ARGH is an organisation which will:

-Inform service providers about what autistic people really experience.

-Campaign for better services for autistic people in the highlands and beyond.

-Challenge stigma and discrimination through education about autistic strengths.

Autism Acceptance Day flyer Click here

Argh Autism Alert Card

ARGH's autism alert card is available to all autistic people, children or adults, across the UK: You can now order our Card directly from the website. Click here to order an ARGH autism alert card

ARGH membership card front

Autism and Ethics

ARGH, in partnership with the NAS Scotland were delighted to hold an Autism and Ethics conference; from the Autistic perspective. For more information Click here.