Camarillo, Calif., March 27, 2015 – CSU Channel Islands (CI) will show its support for World Autism Awareness Day by lighting the John Spoor Broome Library blue and hosting Autism Awareness events during the week of April 2-6.
The awareness week kicks off Thursday, April 2, at 6 p.m. in front of the John Spoor Broome Library. There will be musical performances by Rex Lewis-Clack and the Rex Lewis-Clack Charitable Foundation performers. Lewis-Clack is a world renowned pianist and vocalist with autism and blindness. Considered a prodigious musical savant, Lewis-Clack ranks as one of less than 50 people throughout history to combine blindness, intellectual disability and prodigious musical ability. Lewis-Clack and his mother Cathleen Lewis are philanthropists who travel throughout the world to raise awareness for autism, blindness and various disabilities and founded Rex & Friends Charitable Foundation to support music therapy and education to those with blindness and autism.
“Light It Up Blue” is a global initiative to celebrate United Nations World Autism Awareness Day. On April 2 the international goal is to shine a blue light on communities throughout the world to raise awareness and take action for autism. The event will also provide a community resource fair, speeches by students and parents living with autism. The resource fair will involve groups offering support services from the campus and community, including the Autism Society of Ventura County, regional service providers, and CI’s Disability Accommodations and Support Services.
The event also celebrates the unique talents and skills of people with autism and warmly welcomes autistic individuals, their families and anyone in the community who wishes to learn more. Participants will receive free, blue light bulbs and glow sticks, while supplies last.
Throughout the week, students also will participate in activities supporting autism awareness. Blue lights will be displayed in offices and common areas.
CI’s Disability Resource Program is also co-sponsoring the Autism Society of Ventura County (ASVC) 3rd Annual “Aut2Run!” charity Race. Aut2Run, a charity race with a 10K trail run, 5K run/walk, 15K “hero run,” and short fun-K, will held on the CI campus Sunday, April 19th. ASVC was founded in 1994 by local parents and educators to provide support, community events, information and resources to families and individuals on the Autism Spectrum.
CI students and staff are providing volunteer hours for the race. The first run begins at 7:30 a.m. at the campus. Visit www.aut2run.org to register, donate, volunteer and learn more.
The United Nations General Assembly declared April 2 “World Autism Awareness Day” (WAAD) in 2007, with the goal of bringing the world's attention to autism, a pervasive disorder and growing global health concern affecting tens of millions. WAAD activities help to increase and develop world knowledge of the autism crisis and impart information regarding the importance of early diagnosis and early intervention.
“Light It Up Blue” was created by Autism Speaks, the world’s leading autism science and advocacy organization to kick off World Autism Awareness Day and Month. Each year, hundreds of thousands of notable venues and iconic landmarks worldwide join in, ranging from colleges and concert halls to the Empire State Building and Egypt’s Great Pyramids.
Limited parking is available on campus with the purchase of a $6 daily permit; follow signs to the parking permit dispensers. Free parking is available at the Camarillo Metrolink Station/Lewis Road with bus service to and from the campus. Riders should board the CI Vista Bus to the campus; the cash-only fare is $1.25 each way. Buses arrive and depart from the Camarillo Metrolink Station every 30 minutes from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. Monday through Friday. For exact times, check the schedule at www.goventura.org.
For additional information contact Valeri Cirino-Paez, Assistant Director for Access, Orientation & Transition Programs, valeri.cirino-paez@csuci.edu or 805-437-8528.
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About California State University Channel Islands
CSU Channel Islands(CI) is the only four-year, public university in Ventura County and is known for its interdisciplinary, multicultural and international perspectives, and its emphasis on experiential and service learning. CI’s strong academic programs focus on business, sciences, liberal studies, teaching credentials, and innovative master’s degrees. Students benefit from individual attention, up-to-date technology, and classroom instruction augmented by outstanding faculty research. CI has been designated by the U.S. Department of Education as a Hispanic-Serving Institution and is committed to serving students of all backgrounds from the region and beyond. Connect with and learn more by visiting CI's Social Media.