ORANJESTAD–The Council of Ministers (COM) in Aruba made an effort to observe World Autism Day on Tuesday. All ministers wore the colour blue to work and in the evening the COMs building was illuminated in blue.
Blue is the international colour for autism. By wearing blue on Tuesday, the team of ministers, headed by Prime Minister Evelyn Wever-Croes, and the staff of the COM wanted to give recognition for those persons living with autism and to highlight the importance of creating better opportunities for this special group of individuals.
“Including our special persons is a priority of this government,” said Wever-Croes, who announced that a few months ago she signed a ministerial decree to establish a committee which will focus on the rights of special people such as persons with an Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD). Several departments are represented in this committee.
Aruba’s Minister of Finance, Economic Affairs and Culture Xiomara Ruiz-Maduro on Tuesday evening was present at the ceremony to light up the administration building in blue. The event called “Light It Up Blue” is organised annually by the Aruba Autism Foundation and has the support of the Aruba government. Ruiz-Maduro said that she attended the event to show solidarity and to encourage the acceptation of persons with ASD.
According to international statistics, five out of every 1,000 persons fall within the autism spectrum. It is a group that is often misunderstood and treated unfairly. Ruiz-Maduro said it was important as a people to be educated on this disorder so this group can receive the maximum support and the community can help them to function better at home, at school and on the job. “These persons have the same rights as every other citizen,” the minister said.
Source: The Daily Herald https://www.thedailyherald.sx/islands/86500-aruba-observes-world-autism-day
View comments
Hide comments