The Andrews Labor Government has established Australia’s first social behaviour change campaign to promote better understanding and inclusion of people with autism.
Minister for Disability, Ageing and Carers Luke Donnellan today launched the new $2.8 million public education campaign Change Your Reactions with Amaze CEO Fiona Sharkie.
Change Your Reactions encourages Victorians to recognise some of the challenges that autistic people face and to understand the impacts of community actions and reactions. It focuses on helping Victorians to be more open to learning about autism and how to be supportive.
Amaze worked with autistic Victorians and their families on the campaign which includes a mix of advertising across TV and radio, digital and social media and most importantly features actors with autism.
A recent Amaze survey shows that despite widespread awareness of autism, only 29 per cent of people said they know how to support an autistic person.
The campaign is part of the Labor Government’s Victorian Autism Plan, released last year. The plan sets out actions to provide autistic Victorians greater opportunities for choice and community participation, backed by $7.1 million in funding.
Amaze is a peak body for autistic Victorians and their families and provides advocacy, services and supports. For more information, visit changeyourreactions.com
