Istanbul decorated in blue lights for autism awareness

ISTANBUL

AA photo

Blue lights were illuminated in several buildings and bridges, including in Fatih Sultan Mehmet and Bosphorus bridges and Galata Tower to mark “Autism Awareness Day” in Istanbul from 8:30 p.m. onwards on April 2.The call to turn the blue lights on was made by the Tohum Autism Foundation, the Turkish envoy of the campaign, which was supported by plenty of malls and high-rise buildings.“’Turn the blue lights on for autism’ is a campaign that can be supported both by individually and institutionally and can put everybody in action for autism awareness,” the foundation’s head, Betül Selcen Özer, said on April 1.“We are calling on everyone to wear blue, share materials in social media using the hashtag ‘#otizmemaviışıkyak,’ ensure buildings to be lit with blue lights and raise autism awareness in order to support children and teenagers with autism.”Social media users shared messages on Twitter with the hashtag and some users shared photos of the blue buildings.The United Nations have declared April 2 as “Autism Awareness Day” and awareness raising efforts are made on the same day all over the world.