Each April 2, Autism Speaks celebrates Light It Up Blue along with the international autism community, in commemoration of the United Nations-sanctioned World Autism Awareness Day. 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 are among the hundreds of thousands of homes and communities that take part to Light It Up Blue.
It’s easy and fun to Light It Up Blue! Register your Light It Up Blue events today. Whether you’re joining as an individual, or the manager of a building, store, school, cultural institution, restaurant, or media entity, you can pledge to Light It Up Blue and share your events.
- Light Your House Up Blue
Purchase special Autism Speaks blue light bulbs from your local Home Depot, beginning March 1. Blue LED lanterns can be purchased at Coleman.com beginning March 15, and blue CFL bulbs from TCPI will be in most local Wal-Mart stores.
- Light Up Buildings and Landmarks
Purchase blue lighting filters from Rosco for existing exterior lighting fixtures. Perfect for restaurants, landmarks, and larger buildings. - Shop
Get Light It Up Blue merchandise in our store. - Wear Blue to Work Day
Wear blue clothing and ask your co-workers to wear blue too. Consider asking your colleagues to donate $5 to Autism Speaks. - Reach out to Elected Officials
Engage your local and state government on April 2nd by asking them proclaim April 2nd as Autism Awareness Day in your community. Sample proclamation is provided. - Light It Up Blue Online
Help us raise awareness about autism by spreading the word via email, Facebook, Twitter, or your personal blog or website.
Autism Speaks was founded in February 2005 by Bob and Suzanne Wright, grandparents of a child with autism. Autism is a complex neurobiological disorder that inhibits a person’s ability to communicate and develop social relationships, and is often accompanied by behavioral challenges. Autism spectrum disorders are diagnosed in one in 88 children; one in 54 boys in the United States, affecting four times as many boys as girls. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention have called autism a national public health crisis whose cause and cure remain unknown.
The mission of Autism Speaks is to change the future for all who struggle with autism spectrum disorders. We are dedicated to funding global biomedical research into the causes, prevention, treatments, and cure for autism; to raising public awareness about autism and its effects on individuals, families, and society; and to bringing hope to all who deal with the hardships of this disorder. We are committed to raising the funds necessary to support these goals