{"id":97953,"date":"2023-04-03T12:47:56","date_gmt":"2023-04-03T17:47:56","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.unmc.edu\/newsroom\/?p=97953"},"modified":"2023-04-04T13:52:32","modified_gmt":"2023-04-04T18:52:32","slug":"nearly-3000-attend-aap-mmi-autism-acceptance-event","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.unmc.edu\/newsroom\/2023\/04\/03\/nearly-3000-attend-aap-mmi-autism-acceptance-event\/","title":{"rendered":"Nearly 3,000 attend AAP\/MMI autism acceptance event"},"content":{"rendered":"
\n

Nearly 3,000 people were on hand for the Autism Action Partnership and Munroe-Meyer Institute\u2019s World Autism Day celebration, which was held on April 2 at the Gene Leahy Mall at the Riverfront in Omaha.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Face-painting, puppet shows, games, food trucks and informational booths staffed by community partners were among the attractions for the event, which was held at the downtown mall for the first time.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cThe impact of hosting this event in a public space and inviting the entire community to join us is so important. It\u2019s not just an event for members of the autism community,\u2019\u201d said Justin Dougherty, executive director of Autism Action Partnership. \u201cWhen it\u2019s done in a way and a place that all can celebrate, it increases inclusion.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n

\n
\"\"
The UNMC Department of Recreational Therapy also had a table at the event.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n

Dougherty said that he\u2019d like to bring the event back to the mall in coming years.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cPeople obviously are having a lot of fun.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

MMI Community Engagement Director Melonie Welsh attended the event to share information about MMI. Other MMI programs staffed and attended the event, including the MMI Department of Recreational Therapy, which helped attendees create tactile keychains and bracelets, the integrated Center for Autism Spectrum Disorders and the UCEDD\u2019s transition and arts advocacy programs.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cThis is always a joyful event,\u201d Welsh said. \u201cWe work, as does AAP, to increase autism acceptance throughout the year, but this annual collaboration gives us a chance to take our message to the wider community in a way that is welcoming, fun and informative.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Both Welsh and Dougherty spoke of the way AAP and MMI complement each other in their efforts to positively impact the autism community.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cThis is an important partnership,\u201d Dougherty said. \u201cAnd this event is another example of how we leverage each other\u2019s reach and impact.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Face-painting, puppet shows and more were among the attractions for the event.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":27,"featured_media":97954,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_relevanssi_hide_post":"","_relevanssi_hide_content":"","_relevanssi_pin_for_all":"","_relevanssi_pin_keywords":"","_relevanssi_unpin_keywords":"","_relevanssi_related_keywords":"","_relevanssi_related_include_ids":"","_relevanssi_related_exclude_ids":"","_relevanssi_related_no_append":"","_relevanssi_related_not_related":"","_relevanssi_related_posts":"34583,48884,60993,67366,61321,33129","_relevanssi_noindex_reason":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[1],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-97953","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-uncategorized","author_override-john-keenan-unmc-strategic-communications"],"yoast_head":"\nNearly 3,000 attend AAP\/MMI autism acceptance event<\/title>\n<meta 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