WORLD AUTISM DAYis April 2nd

Shine blue lights outside,check in, tag & hashtag.#ShineBlueNS

#SHINEBLUENS

autismnovascotia.ca

What YOU can do to SHINE BLUE:

How will you SHINE BLUE on April 2nd?

Let’s shine blue, bright, and together!TOP 7 WAYS TO #ShineBlueNS:

1 Create blue window displays at your home or storefront and change your outdoor and/or indoors white light bulbs to blue.

2 Display the official #ShineBlueNS poster in your window, waiting room, office building or community bulletin board.

3 Wear blue clothes on April 2nd!

4 Join one of our scheduled events in April! Check out our calendar on autismnovascotia.ca/events

5 Ask your family, friends, classmates, and colleagues to wear blue.

6 Decorate your interior with blue balloons, ribbons, and streamers.

7 Take a photo and share your story with us on social media using #ShineBlueNS

autismnovascotia.ca

Use these hashtags throughout April:

#AutismUnderstandingNS#AutismAcceptanceNS

#AutismInclusionNS

On April 2nd in support of WORLD AUTISM DAY

#SHINEBLUENS

For over a decade, more than 600 cities, 45 countries, and 3000 structures have celebrated World Autism Day by lighting schools, businesses, and public buildings in blue light in efforts to shine a light on autism. This year, Autism Nova Scotia is asking you to help us carry on this tradition in a time where your visual and online support is more important than ever.

We hope you will join us and the rest of the world on April 2nd by participating on social media using #ShineBlueNS. You can show your support for World Autism Day by creating your own events and putting up displays.

From April 3rd onward, the celebrations will continue. For the remainder of April we will be celebrating Autism Acceptance Month in Nova Scotia, which is all about promoting understanding, acceptance and inclusion in our communities.

We hope you will join us by using #ShineBlueNS on April 2nd, but also let us know what you are doing throughout the remainder of the month to make our communities more autism-friendly and accessible.

Whether it is a sensory-friendly event, a fundraiser in support of Autism Nova Scotia, an education session, or another autism inclusive story you can share - we want to know!

Join the conversation and tag:#AutismUnderstandingNS#AutismAcceptanceNS#AutismInclusionNS

For over a decade, more than 600 cities, 45 countries, and 3000 structures have celebrated World Autism Day by lighting schools, businesses, and public buildings in blue light in efforts to shine a light on autism. This year, Autism Nova Scotia is asking you to help us carry on this tradition in a time where your visual and online support is more important than ever. We hope you will join us and the rest of the world on April 2nd by participating on social media using #ShineBlueNS. You can show your support for World Autism Day by creating your own events and putting up displays. On April 3rd, the celebrations continue on: For the remainder of April, we will be celebrating Autism Acceptance Month in Nova Scotia, which is all about promoting understanding, acceptance and inclusion in our communities. We hope you will join us by using #ShineBlueNS on April 2nd, but also let us know what you are doing throughout the month to make our communities more autism-friendly and accessible. Whether it is a sensory-friendly event, a fundraiser in support of Autism Nova Scotia, an education session, or any autism- inclusive stories you can share - we want to know! Join the conversation and tag: #AutismUnderstandingNS #AutismAcceptanceNS #AutismInclusionNS

Shine Blue on April 2nd in

support of World Autism Day

April is Autism

Acceptance Month

in Nova Scotia

www.autismnovascotia.ca

For over a decade, more than 600 cities, 45 countries, and 3000 structures have celebrated World Autism Day by lighting schools, businesses, and public buildings in blue light in efforts to shine a light on autism. This year, Autism Nova Scotia is asking you to help us carry on this tradition in a time where your visual and online support is more important than ever. We hope you will join us and the rest of the world on April 2nd by participating on social media using #ShineBlueNS. You can show your support for World Autism Day by creating your own events and putting up displays. On April 3rd, the celebrations continue on: For the remainder of April, we will be celebrating Autism Acceptance Month in Nova Scotia, which is all about promoting understanding, acceptance and inclusion in our communities. We hope you will join us by using #ShineBlueNS on April 2nd, but also let us know what you are doing throughout the month to make our communities more autism-friendly and accessible. Whether it is a sensory-friendly event, a fundraiser in support of Autism Nova Scotia, an education session, or any autism- inclusive stories you can share - we want to know! Join the conversation and tag: #AutismUnderstandingNS #AutismAcceptanceNS #AutismInclusionNS

Shine Blue on April 2nd in

support of World Autism Day

April is Autism

Acceptance Month

in Nova Scotia

www.autismnovascotia.ca

For over a decade, more than 600 cities, 45 countries, and 3000 structures have celebrated World Autism Day by lighting schools, businesses, and public buildings in blue light in efforts to shine a light on autism. This year, Autism Nova Scotia is asking you to help us carry on this tradition in a time where your visual and online support is more important than ever. We hope you will join us and the rest of the world on April 2nd by participating on social media using #ShineBlueNS. You can show your support for World Autism Day by creating your own events and putting up displays. On April 3rd, the celebrations continue on: For the remainder of April, we will be celebrating Autism Acceptance Month in Nova Scotia, which is all about promoting understanding, acceptance and inclusion in our communities. We hope you will join us by using #ShineBlueNS on April 2nd, but also let us know what you are doing throughout the month to make our communities more autism-friendly and accessible. Whether it is a sensory-friendly event, a fundraiser in support of Autism Nova Scotia, an education session, or any autism- inclusive stories you can share - we want to know! Join the conversation and tag: #AutismUnderstandingNS #AutismAcceptanceNS #AutismInclusionNS

Shine Blue on April 2nd in

support of World Autism Day

April is Autism

Acceptance Month

in Nova Scotia

www.autismnovascotia.ca

For over a decade, more than 600 cities, 45 countries, and 3000 structures have celebrated World Autism Day by lighting schools, businesses, and public buildings in blue light in efforts to shine a light on autism. This year, Autism Nova Scotia is asking you to help us carry on this tradition in a time where your visual and online support is more important than ever. We hope you will join us and the rest of the world on April 2nd by participating on social media using #ShineBlueNS. You can show your support for World Autism Day by creating your own events and putting up displays. On April 3rd, the celebrations continue on: For the remainder of April, we will be celebrating Autism Acceptance Month in Nova Scotia, which is all about promoting understanding, acceptance and inclusion in our communities. We hope you will join us by using #ShineBlueNS on April 2nd, but also let us know what you are doing throughout the month to make our communities more autism-friendly and accessible. Whether it is a sensory-friendly event, a fundraiser in support of Autism Nova Scotia, an education session, or any autism- inclusive stories you can share - we want to know! Join the conversation and tag: #AutismUnderstandingNS #AutismAcceptanceNS #AutismInclusionNS

Shine Blue on April 2nd in

support of World Autism Day

April is Autism

Acceptance Month

in Nova Scotia

www.autismnovascotia.ca

For over a decade, more than 600 cities, 45 countries, and 3000 structures have celebrated World Autism Day by lighting schools, businesses, and public buildings in blue light in efforts to shine a light on autism. This year, Autism Nova Scotia is asking you to help us carry on this tradition in a time where your visual and online support is more important than ever. We hope you will join us and the rest of the world on April 2nd by participating on social media using #ShineBlueNS. You can show your support for World Autism Day by creating your own events and putting up displays. On April 3rd, the celebrations continue on: For the remainder of April, we will be celebrating Autism Acceptance Month in Nova Scotia, which is all about promoting understanding, acceptance and inclusion in our communities. We hope you will join us by using #ShineBlueNS on April 2nd, but also let us know what you are doing throughout the month to make our communities more autism-friendly and accessible. Whether it is a sensory-friendly event, a fundraiser in support of Autism Nova Scotia, an education session, or any autism- inclusive stories you can share - we want to know! Join the conversation and tag: #AutismUnderstandingNS #AutismAcceptanceNS #AutismInclusionNS

Shine Blue on April 2nd in

support of World Autism Day

April is Autism

Acceptance Month

in Nova Scotia

www.autismnovascotia.ca

For over a decade, more than 600 cities, 45 countries, and 3000 structures have celebrated World Autism Day by lighting schools, businesses, and public buildings in blue light in efforts to shine a light on autism. This year, Autism Nova Scotia is asking you to help us carry on this tradition in a time where your visual and online support is more important than ever. We hope you will join us and the rest of the world on April 2nd by participating on social media using #ShineBlueNS. You can show your support for World Autism Day by creating your own events and putting up displays. On April 3rd, the celebrations continue on: For the remainder of April, we will be celebrating Autism Acceptance Month in Nova Scotia, which is all about promoting understanding, acceptance and inclusion in our communities. We hope you will join us by using #ShineBlueNS on April 2nd, but also let us know what you are doing throughout the month to make our communities more autism-friendly and accessible. Whether it is a sensory-friendly event, a fundraiser in support of Autism Nova Scotia, an education session, or any autism- inclusive stories you can share - we want to know! Join the conversation and tag: #AutismUnderstandingNS #AutismAcceptanceNS #AutismInclusionNS

Shine Blue on April 2nd in

support of World Autism Day

April is Autism

Acceptance Month

in Nova Scotia

www.autismnovascotia.ca

autismnovascotia.ca

On April 2nd in support of WORLD AUTISM DAY

#SHINEBLUENSUse these hashtags

throughout April:#AutismUnderstandingNS

#AutismAcceptanceNS#AutismInclusionNS

Join the conversation & tag:#AutismUnderstandingNS #AutismInclusionNS

#AutismAcceptanceNS

APRIL IS AUTISM ACCEPTANCE

MONTHJoin us in promoting

understanding, acceptance and inclusion in Nova Scotia

autismnovascotia.ca

Celebrate Autism Acceptance Month in Nova Scotia this April!

How can a business become more autism-friendly and inclusive?People with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) may experience difficulties with communications, social skills, and sensory processing. With appropriate accommodations and open minds, stigmas and barriers can be removed to create accessible community spaces for people with autism. There are many ways you can open up your business environment and create an autism-friendly place.

Autism-Friendly Shopping: Once a week, consider holding an “autism-friendly” shopping hour or morning. Turn the loudspeaker down or off and do not play any background music. Try dimming the lights a bit to create a less stimulating environment.

Develop a priority queueing system: This helps families to register and access a special checkout line to reduce waiting. This will also reduce anxiety and sensory overload, resulting in more successful shopping experiences.

Consider Hiring Inclusively: Learn about Ready, Willing, & Able and how to hire inclusively. Visit readywillingable.ca for details.

Visual Supports: This could include pictures of different areas of your premises, a map of your floorplan, clear information, etc. Contact us at programs@autismns.ca for support.

Quiet Area: Provide a place in the workplace for a person to regulate themselves if they are becoming too overwhelmed in a public area. A room with minimal noise and bright lights is ideal. Sensory toys and other activities may be suggested. Let us know how we can help you build a Quiet Room.

Support Staff Education: Host an autism education presentation (offered by Autism Nova Scotia – contact us for details). Increased awareness by your staff helps create a more inclusive environment for your clientele.

Offer a job shadowing opportunity: Host an autism pre-employment job shadow experience. Autism Nova Scotia has employment experience programs where the participants gain work experience in our community. Visit our page at http://autismnovascotia.ca/employment-post-secondary-support for details.

Hang a Poster: Post Autism Nova Scotia’s Autism Acceptance Month poster in your window, at your cash or in your waiting room.

Acknowledge yourself by using these hashtags: Connect your ongoing efforts by using:#AutismInclusionNS#AutismUnderstandingNS #AutismAcceptanceNS

Host an autism-friendly event/ fundraiser: Demonstrate your commitment to understanding, awareness, and acceptance. We rely on donations to keep our programs going – if you host a third party event we would love to hear about it and can assist you with donations and promotion! Visit http://autismnovascotia.ca/host-an-event for details.

Be Accessible Be Inclusive Be a Champion

Use Our Social Media GuideCheck out 4 quick ways you can help the movement grow!

Follow usFollow our social media accounts for frequent updates about Autism Acceptance Month. You can find Autism Nova Scotia on the following social media networks: Twitter (@AutismNS)Facebook (@AutismNovaScotia) Instagram (@autismns_)Interact with us by telling us how you are promoting understanding, acceptance and inclusion throughout April! Use

HashtagsYou may or may not be the most

savvy social media user, but hashtags can be a very effective way to pull together all the content made by community champions this April.

Consider using the following hashtags in any combination in your Autism

Acceptance Facebook and Instagram posts.

#ShineBlueNS (very important for April 2nd)#AutismInclusionNS

#AutismAcceptanceNS#AutismUnderstandingNS

Check InWhen making a post related to

Autism Acceptance Month, tag us and check in at our location by

searching for Autism Nova Scotia on Facebook or Instagram. This helps spread the word

about where we are and invites new followers to us.

autismnovascotia.ca

Tag UsPhotos are the best way for us to show the province, country and beyond what we are doing to promote autism acceptance.

We encourage you to post photos and tag Autism Nova Scotia in that photo on Facebook or Instagram, up until April 30th.