Autism Action Partnership (autismaction.org) is hosting a celebration of World Autism Day on April 6, from noon to 2 p.m. at Omaha’s Gene Leahy Mall at the RiverFront. The celebration is free and open to the public.
The community celebration will include yard games and booths featuring community partners, friends and other champions for autism. Omaha Community Playhouse, Omaha Children’s Museum, Kids on the Block Puppets, Miss Amazing and Omaha Police Department are among the groups offering booths with fun activities.
Gotta Be Me’s Heartlight Choir will perform on the stage at 12:30 p.m. followed by a dance party and karaoke. The Johnson County Central Unified Cheer Squad will there and ready to pump up the crowd! Rainbow Trout the clown will be on-site for face painting and balloon animals, courtesy of UNMC’s Munroe-Meyer Institute.
“Our goal is to create a fun, inclusive space where the autism community and the general public can come together to celebrate our uniqueness. It’s an opportunity to connect and enjoy a day of fun while promoting autism acceptance and understanding.” said Michaela Ahrens, VP of Operations for Autism Action Partnership.
The event is the kickoff for Autism Acceptance Month. In recent years, the conversation around autism has shifted from awareness to acceptance. While awareness is important, acceptance is what truly makes a difference in the lives of autistic individuals and their families. It’s about moving beyond recognizing autism’s existence to embracing neurodiversity, ensuring meaningful inclusion and fostering genuine understanding in the communities.
During the month of April, be on the lookout around town for AAP’s Autism Acceptance Month billboard campaign, highlighting the theme “Uniqueness Unites Us.”
Register here: autismaction.org/events
Autism Action Partnership is an Omaha, Nebraska-based nonprofit working to fill critical gaps in the state’s autism services. Learn more at autismaction.org.