UK to 'Light It Up Blue' for Autism Awareness

LEXINGTON, Ky. (April 1, 2016) — You’ll see blue on the University of Kentucky campus Saturday night, April 2, as iconic Memorial Hall, as well as the Lyman T Johnson, Central II, Haggin, Woodland Glen I, Champions Court I and Champions Court II residence halls will be lit with blue lights in honor of World Autism Awareness Day.

Next week, the University of Kentucky Student Council for Exceptional Children (SCEC), part of the UK College of Education, will continue to spread awareness with a week of activities and its own "Light It Up Blue" event on Friday, April 8.

An international campaign, "Light It Up Blue" was launched by the leading autism science and advocacy organization Autism Speaks. Several iconic landmarks around the globe — including the Great Pyramid in Egypt, Empire State Building in New York City and Opera House in Sydney, Australia — as well as universities, museums, concert halls, restaurants, hospitals and retail stores around the world will light up in bright blue on the evening of April 2 to honor the first night of Autism Awareness Month. 

Three years ago, UK students decided to light up Memorial Hall since it is an iconic landmark for the university. It was the first reported building in the state of Kentucky to participate in “Light It up Blue.” In 2014, students decided to light up Taylor Education Building, as it is the building where they are learning to be great teachers. This year, they will "light it up" with glow sticks in the Taylor Education Building Auditorium, culminating a week of autism awareness activities in which money raised will be donated to the Autism Society of the Bluegrass.

The full schedule of the SCEC autism awareness week follows:

Monday, April 4: SCEC members will have a social media booth set up to for individuals to take a photo then tag it describing why they support individuals with autism from 9 a.m.-2 p.m., at White Hall Classroom Building.

Tuesday, April 5: Think Blue Bake Sale outside Bowman's Den from 10 a.m.-2 p.m.

Wednesday, April 6: SCEC members will hand out information about autism and will have temporary puzzle piece tattoos from 10 a.m.-2 p.m., at White Hall Classroom Building.

Thursday, April 7: Screening of the movie "Temple Grandin" at 7:15 p.m., in the Taylor Education Building Auditorium. Popcorn will be provided.

Friday, April 8: "Light It Up Blue" Information Fair and Celebration

5-7 p.m.: Various organizations from the community will have information booths setup in the Taylor Education Building; booths focus on services and supports for individuals with autism and other disabilities. Weather permitting, there will be outdoor activities. Food and T-shirts will be available for purchase.

7 p.m.: A short ceremony will feature individuals with autism and their families describing the role of autism in their lives. This event is family friendly. 

About University of Kentucky SCEC

SCEC at UK is a professional development and service organization for students at any level or pursuing any degree program. The purposes of the organization include: being advocates for children with disabilities, advancing the professional development of its members, and providing charitable and other services to persons with disabilities. SCEC is a student chapter of the Council for Exceptional Children, an international organization.

About Autism Spectrum Disorders

A recent report from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention estimates the prevalence of autism spectrum disorders as 1 in 68 for children ages 6-17, which is significantly higher than was previously estimated.

According to the Autism Society of America, “Autism is a complex developmental disability that typically appears during the first three years of life and affects a person’s ability to communicate and interact with others. Autism is defined by a certain set of behaviors and is a 'spectrum disorder' that affects individuals differently and to varying degrees. There is no known single cause of autism, but increased awareness and funding can help families today.” The reason the color blue is used to light up buildings around the world is that boys are five times more likely to be diagnosed with autism than girls.

For more information, to sign up to volunteer or to reserve a booth for the "Light It Up Blue" Information Fair, contact the SCEC president, Kaitlin O'Niell at kaitlin.oneill@uky.edu. 

UK is the University for Kentucky. At UK, we are educating more students, treating more patients with complex illnesses and conducting more research and service than at any time in our 150-year history. To read more about the UK story and how you can support continued investment in your university and the Commonwealth, go to: uky.edu/uk4ky. #uk4ky #seeblue

MEDIA CONTACT: Whitney Harder, 859-323-2396, whitney.harder@uky.edu