EIU Media Relations

EIU to Colorfully Promote Autism Awareness

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By coloring itself blue, Eastern Illinois University plans to join thousands of businesses, individuals and other colleges/universities in commemorating World Autism Awareness Day on April 2.

The institution’s administration building (Old Main, aka the “Castle”) will be illuminated in blue during the evening hours on Tuesday, according to William Weber, vice president for business affairs.

Additionally, the building will be lit up April 23-27 to further promote Autism Awareness Month and related activities taking place both on and off campus.

Eastern’s chapter of the National Student Speech Language Hearing Association will sponsor an information booth from 9 a.m. to noon Wednesday, April 24, on the campus’ South Quad.  Pamphlets and other information will be available, according to Trina Becker, NSSLHA co-adviser and associate professor of communication disorders and sciences.

Then, on Friday and Saturday, April 26 and 27, the EIU Run for Autism will take place in conjunction with the Illinois Marathon being held in Champaign-Urbana.  According to Becker, marathon participants may designate a particular charity to benefit from their efforts.

Funds raised through the EIU Run for Autism will support the development of the EIU Autism Center – a center that would provide clinical and consultation services for persons with autism and their families, provide outreach and in-service to education agencies, and enhance the clinical training of EIU students.

Those interested in participating should visit http://www.eiu.edu/commdis/studentorgs.php for information, and/or visit http://www.illinoismarathon.com/registration.php to register for the race.