A message of inclusion on World Autism Awareness Day

Apr 3, 2016 | 1:36 PM

KAMLOOPS — Kamloops joined the rest of the world in recognizing World Autism Awareness Day on Saturday.

Ena Fraser, chaiperson of the board for the Chris Rose Therapy Centre for Autism, said inclusion of people with disabilities is extremely important.

“They need to be included in the community like the rest of us so that they can be functioning, participating, and also contributing to the community, not isolated because they have a difference,” Fraser said.

She added the centre is working on starting up a non-profit business to hire people on the autism spectrum.

“One of the identified needs is the ability to work,” Fraser explained. “Many people cannot work without support, but with support they can be very very valuable members of any business.”

World Autism Awareness Day marked the beginning of National Autism Awareness Month. The Chris Rose Therapy Centre for Autism’s annual Walk for Autism, which raises funds for services at the centre, will be held at the end of April.