Buildings go blue for World Autism Awareness Day
Monday, March 25, 2013, Irish Examiner
Just weeks after the greening of our Cork landmarks, the city is set to turn blue.
Iconic buildings around Cork City and county will be turning blue next month to mark World Autism Awareness Day on April 2.
The Cork Association for Autism has already secured the “green light for going blue” from UCC’s quad, the City Hall, Blackrock Castle, the Elysian, Blarney Castle, and the Firkin Crane.
“We are thrilled with the response from local businesses and both the city and county councils,” said Louise O’Sullivan of the CAA. “The buildings we have signed up are going to make a huge difference to our awareness campaign, and Cork is leading the way in the campaign here, with such an enthusiastic response to the idea, right from the start.”
CAA has also got confirmations from the Clarion Hotel on Lapps Quay, the Rochestown Park Hotel and the Cork Vision Centre, with a number of other well-known buildings throughout the city and county set to come on board.
The “blue” day is part of a worldwide initiative to heighten awareness of autism and promote a global conversation on the topic. The Sydney Opera House, the Great Pyramids in Egypt, and Japan’s Twin Arch are all joining in the event. In total, there will be more than 3,000 iconic buildings and landmarks in more than 50 countries on six continents turning blue this year.
Autistic Cork twins Colm and Eric Isherwood are backing the campaign in Ireland. Artist Colm contributed a stamp to the UN’s 2012 “Light it Up Blue” campaign.
Eric and Colm are asking buildings and landmarks around every city in Ireland to turn their lights blue on April 2.
The Isherwoods are also encouraging Facebook, Twitter and Google+ users to promote the event and bring a blue theme to their timelines on the day. It is estimated that autism affects one in 88 children.