STATEMENT BY THE PRESIDENT

It was a year ago when UN declared this day as “World Autism Awareness Day” and after the logic and joy more than justified by its significance as recognition, not even earned, less precious, we face a new challenge, not to turn into onomastic title this special celebration. This day remind us a prominent part of the universal society,  closing the first decade of the twenty-first century, which unfortunately have to continue listening to claim their legitimate rights and laws to protect them.

But we, the parents / guardians, family members and persons with autism who have to lead this movement, will not allow it to be empty of content this proposal offered by the United Nations.

We, strongly supported by organizations such as the one today is welcoming us or by any other opened forum, who have the right and the obligation to commit the Government to first, worry and deal with developing or improving the necessary rules that ensure client satisfaction of this group, and secondly, address providing enough funds to the teams that develop projects and to ensure its implementation.

If Civil Services really want to stop this context of difference, marginalization in many cases – and I have no reason to doubt this – should focus their efforts to eradicate this situation of inequality, or in many cases of ignorance encouraging more social, political commitment to the citizens and economic resources that support.

Associations and individuals that make up the World Autism Organization expressed concern that our experience tells us that when the indicators of the crisis are fired, the budgets of our collective suffer cuts but no radical break which not only slow gained attention but the cut, and even make it disappear. We take this opportunity to claim the right to receive priority treatment as well as being in the spirit of any principles of democratic civil society; we believe that is in direct benefit to society as a whole.

We are a very young organization, we have just completed 10 years but we have institutions and individuals with an experience of over 30 in the defence of people with autistic young people and entities in both the Old and New World that inject us needed sap to keep us in achieving our goal: client satisfaction throughout the life cycle for people with autism.

As stated in our constitution we are engaged in the task of "contributing to …… the modernization in the world, the policies within the States with respect to education, health, welfare, social security, rehabilitation , employment, sports and recreation for people with autism. Disseminate accurate information, encourage research and studies about autism by stimulating the exchange of information and experience between organizations to facilitate their implementation to obtain this assistance from national governments and international organizations ... .... "

My words could be confused with a statement of good intentions. In a first reading it seems impossible, but although it is hard to put into practice, as we have everyone's help and for our part, we do not rise to discouragement, we may succeed!!

My friends flatly deny that our children, who suffer a pervasive developmental disorder, are “invisible citizens” and, consequently, demands adequate care and assistance.

Thank you very much for your attention.

New York, April 1, 2009

M ª Isabel Bayonas