A N N O U N C E M E N T
2017 WORLD AUTISM AWARENESS DAY
The Philippine Embassy in Beijing joins the Philippine nation in celebrating the 10th World Autism Awareness Day on 2 April 2017.
This year’s theme, “Toward Autonomy and Self-Determination”, calls for the empowerment of persons with autism through equal opportunities for self-determination and autonomy, enabling them to make a strong and positive impact on a shared future.
The United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities recognizes the rights of persons with disabilities to independence of persons and to individual autonomy. It also points out that legal capacity and equal recognition before the law are inherent rights that persons with autism can enjoy on an equal basis with other members of society and in all aspects of life. Persons with autism should be able to exercise these rights and have the freedom to make their own choices.
The Embassy encourages all Filipinos to play a part in changing attitudes towards persons with autism and in recognizing their rights as citizens.
