Over the past decade, major progress has been made towards increasing access to education in general, and specifically for people with autism.

This statement was made by the UN in the run up to World Autism Awareness Day, commemorated on April 2.

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In 2020, as the Covid-19 pandemic spread across the globe, the majority of countries announced temporary closure of schools, impacting more than 90 per cent of students worldwide.

This disruption to learning reversed years of progress and exacerbated inequalities in education.

Many students with autism were especially hard hit, and studies show they have been disproportionately affected by disruptions to routines, as well as to services and support they rely on.

The 17 Sustainable Development Goals adopted by world leaders in 2015 provide a blueprint for addressing the major challenges facing the world, of which inequality is one.

Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 4 focuses on ensuring inclusive and equitable quality education, and promoting lifelong learning opportunities for all, as the foundation for improving people’s lives and reducing inequalities.

The specific targets for SDG 4 refer to the need to ensure ‘equal access to all levels of education and vocational training for persons with disabilities, and building and upgrading education facilities that are disability-sensitive and that provide inclusive and effective learning environments for all.

In this respect, the SDGs echo the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities.

Article 24 of the convention recognises that persons with disabilities have the right to inclusive, quality education on an equal basis with others and that reasonable accommodation of the individual’s requirements should be provided.

This year‘s observance of World Autism Awareness Day will address inclusive education in the context of SDG 4 through a virtual event that will include a moderated panel discussion along with brief presentations by self-advocates, educators, and other experts.

The event was organised by the UN Department of Global Communications and the UN Department of Economic and Social Affairs, with the support of civil society partners including Autistic Self Advocacy Network, Global Autism Project, and Specialisterne Foundation.

Registration to be part of the event can be done on this link:
https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSfjwjCl53KLcHIm3r0JqCON3Kz–wzxu6Z0-Rplg2HCfc-DOw/viewform