April 4th, 2024
On April 2nd, World Autism Awareness Day, Turkey Lit a Red Light for Autism!
Tohum Autism Foundation Repeats Its “Shine a Red Light on Autism” Call to Raise Social Awareness
Tohum Autism Foundation once again launched its “Shine a Red Light on Autism” call this year to raise public awareness about autism, aiming for a society where the needs of autistic individuals are better understood and where they enjoy equal rights with everyone, in all their diversity.
Emphasizing that autistic children still face barriers in accessing quality education, that autistic individuals struggle to be accepted in workplaces, and that they must fight to be part of social life—and thus, life itself—the Foundation invited everyone to “shine a red light on autism” on April 2nd, World Autism Awareness Day.
Celebrities Support the “Shine a Red Light on Autism” Campaign
Tohum Autism Foundation, which has shifted its focus from awareness to inclusion to ensure that autistic individuals are accepted by society in all their differences, received strong support from well-known public figures. Ahu Orakçıoğlu, Ayla Turan, Ayşe Arman, Almila Ada, Alper Saldıran, Başak Dizer Tatlıtuğ, Bennu Yıldırımlar, Burak Deniz, Burcu Kara, Büşra Arslantaş, Ceyhun Yılmaz, Çağla Şıkel, Didem Balçın Aydın, Doğa Rutkay Kamal, Ebru Şallı, Ebru Akel, Ece Vahapoğlu, Ela Rumeysa Cebeci, Güçlü Mete, Hülya Hökenek, Itır Esen, İlker Karagöz, İsmail Küçükkaya, Murat Güloğlu, Özge Özder, Seda Sayan, Selçuk Tepeli, Sema Şimşek, Şükran Ovalı, Yeşim Salkım, and Yunus Günce were among the many celebrities who shared messages in support of the “Shine a Red Light on Autism” campaign.
On the evening of April 2nd, World Autism Awareness Day, many iconic landmarks and corporate buildings—including Istanbul’s bridges, the Tophane Square Fountain, Eskişehir’s Fairy Tale Castle, the İzmir Clock Tower, TOBB Twin Towers in Ankara, Metropol Istanbul Mall, Bomonti Ada, Hilton Bomonti, Tekfen Tower, QNB Finansbank, the Eurasia Tunnel, Dokuz Eylül University Rectorate, Dolmabahçe Schools, Sabancı Holding Building, Espark Mall, Wyndham Grand Levent, Sanovel Pharmaceuticals, River Plaza, and Zorlu Shopping Mall—were illuminated in red lights. In addition, many municipalities, educational institutions, NGOs, city councils, and sports clubs responded to the Foundation’s call by organizing awareness events and coming together under the hashtag #ShineARedLightOnAutism.
We Continue to Work for a World Where Autistic Individuals Are Accepted and Can Express Themselves Freely
Tohum Autism Foundation General Manager Burçak Karakaya stated:
“As Tohum Autism Foundation, we sincerely thank everyone who listened to our call and amplified our voice. We continue to work for a world where autistic individuals are accepted in every area of life with all their differences and can express themselves freely.”
