Iconic landmarks across Adelaide will light up in a spectrum of colours today to acknowledge autistic and autism communities, with South Australians encouraged to celebrate World Autism Awareness Day and share their photos on social media.
It comes as the next round of the Malinauskas Government’s ‘Autism Works in the Community’ grants program opens, supporting projects in businesses, venues and community spaces that foster autistic inclusion.
Sites being illuminated purple, pink and green on World Autism Awareness Day, 2 April, include Parliament House, Adelaide Railway Station, Adelaide Oval, Riverbank Footbridge, Festival Centre Walk of Fame, UniSA City West – Bradley Building, Adelaide Airport, Adelaide Convention Centre and Adelaide Entertainment Centre.
Social media posts can be tagged #WorldAutismDaySA or #WAAD to celebrate SA leading the way in autism inclusion.
The state’s first Autism Inclusion Charter was launched this time last year on #WAAD, delivering on another election commitment to support inclusive initiatives.
South Australia’s nation-leading autism policy agency will be strengthened through the latest round of the Autism Works in the Community grants, which provide funding between $5,000 and $40,000 to eligible organisations.
The program – now open to applicants – helps provide modern facilities, equipment and opportunities to meet the needs of autistic people and increase knowledge, understanding and belonging for autistic and autism communities.
Successful recipients will deliver projects or initiatives over 12 months from July, improving employment and volunteering outcomes and boosting the ability of venues and events to promote inclusion – including autism awareness training for staff.
The State Government’s Office for Autism awarded 17 grants to local organisations last year, including around $37,000 to support a new sensory space at Adelaide Oval.
An in-person information session – along with opportunities to network and plan a project with relevant partner organisations – will be held at the first Autism Works Employment Summit on 30 April, at the Adelaide Convention Centre.
Applications for the Autism Works in the Community grants are open until 9 May 2025 and more information is available through the Office for Autism site.
