Sheikha Hind attends QF’s World Autism Awareness Day event

HE Sheikha Hind bint Hamad al-Thani, vice chairperson and CEO of Qatar Foundation (QF), on Saturday attended the World Autism Awareness Day event organised by Renad Academy – part of QF’s Pre-University Education – in collaboration with QF’s Community Development, at Al Shaqab. The event was also attended by members of QF’s senior leadership.

A number of QF entities and community centres participated in the family-orientated event, each providing fun activities for children and families to enjoy. The day kicked off with an Autism Awareness Walk, followed by a variety of sport and recreational activities, including horse-riding, storytelling sessions, an obstacle course, football games, and craft centers.Sherri Miller, director, Renad Academy, said: “This is our third year hosting this event, and each year it continues to grow in size and popularity. The community partners who provide the activities are truly interested in ensuring people with autism are given the same respect and access as everyone in Qatar. “Because of the attention this event draws, we have seen awareness and acceptance of autism develop at a quick pace. We are proud to support Qatar in developing and embracing a more diverse community.”Qatar Foundation Pre-University Education's World Autism Awareness Day celebration forms part of a month-long calendar of events held throughout April. Other activities included autism-friendly movie screenings at Education City’s Oxygen Park, as well as informative sessions at the 2015 building, Multaqa, Qatar National Library, and Sidra Medicine.World Autism Awareness Day was first proposed by Her Highness Sheikha Moza bint Nasser, chairperson of Qatar Foundation, to the United Nations in 2007, and was adopted without a vote by the UN General Assembly. The first World Autism Awareness Day was marked on April 2, 2008.