Autism Awareness Campaign UK

The Autism Awareness Campaign UK was launched in 2000 by Ivan and Charika Corea in response to an autism diagnosis ascribed to their son, Charin. The group campaigns on autism in the labour market, education, minority ethnic communities, as well as other areas where they believe there is a shortfall in public-service provision - in education, health, specialist speech therapy and respite care. Also, they have lobbied for greater awareness of the condition and for independent research on the causes of autism.


 * Source: UK Parliament Hansard - Major Debate on Autism March 2007

2002 Autism Awareness Year in the UK
The Autism Awareness Campaign of 2002 was successful in initiating debates in the Parliament of the UK, as well as the Scottish Parliament. The pivotal focus was 2002 as Autism Awareness Year supported by 800 organisations including the British Institute of Brain Injured Children, The Disabilities Trust, the National Autistic Society and a whole host of charities and organisations. Additionally, a major conference on autism was held at the King's Fund in London; as well as a service for autism at St Paul's Cathedral.
 * Source: UK Parliament - Major Debate on Autism January 2002

London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Bid
Lord Coe appointed Ivan Corea as a London 2012 Olympic bid Ambassador. The Autism Awareness Campaign UK were fully involved with the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic bid.


 * Source:Guardian news article: Big Thanks from 2012 Ambassador

The Coreas were shortlisted for the Beacon Prize in 2006 and 2004 for their philanthropic achievements, and received the "Beacon Highly Commended Award Certificate for Leadership".


 * Source: Guardian news article: Hailed a Beacon of Good

2007 autism debate in the House of Commons
The Autism Awareness Campaign very active in 2007 - awareness about the condition was raised in the British House of Commons when Lee Scott, MP for Ilford North, raised what was noted as an 'important debate' on autistic children. The debate brought autism back into the spotlight. It is widely regarded as a landmark debate on autism and Scott paid tribute to the Autism Awareness Campaign, he also mentioned the campaign in Prime Minister's Questions on 21st March 2007. Prime Minister Tony Blair said that 'Autism was a serious issue.'


 * Source: Blogger News Network: UK Autism Westminster Debate - British MPs focus attention onto Autism

Meeting with Prime Minister Tony Blair and Gordon Brown in 2007
Ivan Corea of the Autism Awareness Campaign UK met with the Prime Minister of Great Britain, Tony Blair together with Lee Scott MP in April 2007 - the meeting took place in the Prime Minister's Office in the House of Commons in the Palace of Westminster in London. He presented the Prime Minister with the Autism Report calling for a national strategy on autism and a 10 year plan of action in the UK. The call for an urgent review on autism services was supported by leading British charities, community organisations including faith communities.

News of the meeting was featured on the Downing Street website.


 * Source:10 Downing Street


 * Source:Huliq News: UK Prime Minister meets Autism Campaigners

Parliamentarians of all parties signed an early day motion on autism (EDM 1359)in May 2007 in the House of Commons in Westminster backing the call of the Autism Awareness Campaign UK for a national strategy on autism and radical change in policy for all people with autism and Asperger's Syndrome.


 * Source:House of Commons - EDM 1359 on Autism

Ivan Corea of the Autism Awareness Campaign UK met the British Prime Minister-in-Waiting, Gordon Brown in June 2007. Gordon Brown conceded that the Government needs to do more to support all children with disabilities.


 * Gordon Brown Urged To Take Decisive Action On Autism, UK Source: Medical News Today

In July 2007 The Observer broke the news that an unpublished study by the Autism Research Centre at Cambridge University had said that 1 in 58 children in the UK may have autism. The news was flashed across the world. The Autism Awareness Campaign urged Prime Minister Gordon Brown to back and support a national strategy of autism and launch a 10 year plan of action - particularly in building state of the art specialist autism schools open to all.


 * Help Autistic Children - Call Source: Channel 4 Television

Source: Evening Standard