The Provincial Council of Albacete has hosted, for another year, the presentation of the activities programmed by the Development Association within the framework of World Autism Awareness Day, which is commemorated every April 2, and which this 2024 has as its motto ‘Closer than you think’, remembering that 1% of the population is within the autism spectrum to different degrees.
The provincial deputy of the Social Area, José González, together with the president of the entity, Inocente Jiménez, and its coordinator, Ana Lozano, announced the details of this initiative during a press conference that ended with a visit to the Plaza del Altozano, where some workshops and a market have been held, showing the full support of the Government chaired by Santi Cabañero for this campaign, which will run from this Tuesday until next Sunday, April 7, “with the shared objective to make visible, sensitize and raise awareness in society about ASD and also about the importance of full social, educational and labor inclusion.”
Appreciating the choice of the ‘Provincial House’ to make its proposals known, González congratulated Desarrollo Autismo, warning that this association has become, on its own merits, after more than 20 years of work, a leading entity in the Third Sector. provincial. And he congratulated them, in the figure of their president, for the work they have been doing to eliminate stereotypes and prejudices and to improve the quality of life of many people with ASD and their families, while highlighting their work in matters of early diagnosis and treatment, remembering the importance of the ‘bbMiradas’ program.
Likewise, he congratulated them for the different activities they have organized within the framework of this anniversary and, especially, for the provincial vision with which they work, with initiatives also planned in their regional delegations (Hellín, Almansa and Villarrobledo), and He has assured that the Albacete Provincial Council has been, is and will be his ally and a traveling companion.
The Provincial Council collaborates with Autism Development so that its programs and services reach the province
In fact, this year the provincial institution has made an “extra effort”, and to the annual agreement it has been signing with the association (worth €38,000), it has added a second collaboration agreement (€10,000) to contribute to the reform of its new headquarters in Hellín, with the aim of serving more and better the residents of the region.
In this sense, González has warned that for the provincial government it is “a real pride” to contribute, through said agreement, to the different social and health care programs and services that Desarrollo Autismo promotes “and which are very necessary,” reach the province thanks to the work that this association provides in its regional delegations of Hellín, Villarrobledo and Almansa.
This is the Therapeutic Care project for ASD through psychological care, speech therapy and occupational therapy; of an Adult Classroom, Communication Classrooms and a Summer School (these last three developed in Hellín). Initiatives that advance personal autonomy and social and community inclusion (with specific programs for people with ASD from 3 to 21 years of age and 21 years of age and older); and also in the family and work conciliation of fathers and mothers.
At this point, González has made it clear that from the public administrations it is essential to recognize and thank the work carried out by the Third Sector in our province and reach out to them to continue adding efforts and, in doing so, “generate that multiplier effect that translates into “more programs, more services and more equal opportunities for those who need them most.”
Furthermore, he recalled that the Albacete Provincial Council, along with other municipal buildings in the province (Templete del Jardín de los Reyes Católicos in Almansa; the Town Hall, La Rosaleda or the Fuente del Jardín Martínez Parra in Hellín; and the Town Hall and the Market de Abastos in Villarrobledo), will join the ‘Ilumina de azul’ campaign, coloring the façade of the Provincial Palace in this tone “with the objective not only of making ASD visible, but also of remembering that it is necessary to continue working on research, in early diagnosis and resources for those who are diagnosed and their families.”
From Desarrollo Autism they appreciate the support of the Provincial Council
For his part, the president of Desarrollo Autismo, Inocente Jiménez, has thanked the Albacete Provincial Council for its constant support and collaboration, alluding to “the personal involvement of its president, Santi Cabañero” and the ‘extra’ support that they have received this year. 2024, and explained that the association is working to bring its services and programs to rural areas, so that people with ASD and their families do not have to travel to the capital.
Furthermore, Jiménez has claimed the need to advance greater knowledge and acceptance for people with ASD and especially in the educational field, where “more than 80% suffer bullying,” and in the workplace, “where more than 90% suffer bullying.” % are unemployed”, while insisting on the importance of ending the false roles that exist and “that generate so much harm”, and has valued the National Autism Plan to move in these directions.
Activities in Albacete, Hellín, Villarrobledo and Almansa
Finally, the association’s coordinator, Ana Lozano, was in charge of publicizing the activities that have been organized within the framework of World Autism Awareness Day in the different locations where the entity is based. Thus, in Albacete during the morning of this Tuesday, workshops on badges, soaps, beads…, a market and an information table took place in the Plaza del Altozano, which will be repeated next March 6 starting at 11:30 a.m. , adding the reading of the manifesto, the traditional balloon release and the musical performance of ‘Electrollanetes’.
In Almansa, on the 6th, the reading of the manifesto and the release of balloons are also planned from 12:00 p.m. and, in addition, there will be an information table, on San Francisco Street, from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. . Workshops and a market have also been organized during the week.
Likewise, in Hellín, during the day this Tuesday, the manifesto will be read by Juani Soria (volunteer of the association) and, along with the release of balloons, a human chain is planned this afternoon forming the symbol of infinity in the Church Square (6:00 p.m.). Likewise, on April 3, during the morning, information and application tables will be placed in the arcades of the Park next to the Robert Kiosk; on C/ López del Oro and on Gran Vía (next to Mercadona).
And finally, in Villarrobledo, on April 7, the reading of the manifesto and the subsequent release of balloons have been scheduled at 1:00 p.m. in Plaza Ramón y Cajal.
Support from the City Council
The councilors of Social Affairs and Education, Llanos Navarro and Pascual Molina, along with other members of the Corporation, have participated in the events organized on the occasion of World Autism Awareness Day.
The Albacete Development-Autism Association has scheduled some Live Workshops in the Plaza del Altozano, where the two councilors of the government team have attended to convey their support to the president of the Association, Inocente Jiménez, as well as to people with autism and everyone. their family and friends. Llaos Navarro recalled that “people with autism spectrum syndrome are a group with specific needs throughout their lives, who also have the handicap that their condition is often not made visible.”
Precisely, this year the national campaign has the motto “Autism near you”, in order to promote the message that autism is closer than one thinks, given that 1% of the population is autistic. For this reason, the Councilor for Social Affairs points out, “from the City Council we firmly support all the awareness-raising efforts that are organized, especially from socio-health associations such as Development-Autism Albacete, which carries out great support and assistance work in the city. to those affected and their families.”
