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On December 18, 2007, 62nd Session of the General Assembly of the United Nations adopted a special resolution No. A/RES/62/139. Accordingly, April 2 every year is recognized as "World Autism Awareness Day" (WAAD), with the purpose of calling on the community to increase awareness of this syndrome.
What is autism?
Autism is a condition related to brain development that impacts how a person perceives and socializes with others, causing problems in social interaction and communication. In 2020, according to statistics from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), it is estimated that worldwide, 1 in 54 people has autism.
The reality of inclusive quality education for children with autism
Since 2020, as the COVID-19 pandemic has spread globally, most countries have announced the temporary closure of schools affecting more than 90% of students worldwide. The disruption in learning caused by the pandemic has upset teaching and learning, as well as worsened educational equality.
Many students with autism are facing particularly severe difficulties. Studies show that people with autism have suffered greatly as a result of the disruption of the benefits, services and supports they already receive.
Best Buddies Vietnam Program
Sustainable development goal - 4
The 17 Sustainable Development Goals adopted by world leaders at the United Nations in 2015 provide a blueprint for addressing the key concerns facing the world, including inequality.
Sustainable Development Goal 4 (SDG 4) focuses on ensuring inclusive and equitable quality education and promoting lifelong learning opportunities for all, as the foundation for improving people’s lives and reducing inequalities.
The specific targets for SDG 4 refer to the need to ensure “equal access to all levels of education and vocational training” for people with disabilities, as well as building and upgrading education facilities that are disability sensitive and that provide “inclusive and effective learning environments for all.”
In this regard, the SDGs echo the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities. Article 24 of the Convention recognizes that people with disabilities have the right to inclusive, quality education on an equal basis with others. That reasonable accommodation of the individual’s requirements should be provided.
The 2022 World Autism Awareness Day
This year, the United Nations announced the theme of World Autism Awareness Day 2 April as “Inclusive Quality Education for All”. This year's theme is a continuation of the WAAD 2021 theme - "Social Assistance in the Workplace", which emphasizes that people with autism have the same right to a quality education as everyone else. Promoting inclusive quality education for people with autism will help them reach their full potential and achieve sustained success in the labor market. Furthermore, inclusive education is key to the groundbreaking promise of the Sustainable Development Goals to “leave no one behind”.
