PHOTOS Parents shave hair for Autism Awareness Day
/ Korea Times photo by Choi Won-suk
By Park Si-soo
Hundreds of parents of autistic children had their hair shaved in a tearful street rally near the presidential office Cheong Wa Dae in Seoul, Monday, calling on the government to expand welfare for them.
A total of 209 parents ― mothers and fathers ― took part in the “shaving rally,” marking the 11th World Autism Awareness Day on April 2.
They called on the government to expand state-funded welfare and employment programs for autism sufferers.
The parents recently filed a petition on Cheong Wa Dae website to muster support. The petition has garnered 12,507 names (as of 5 p.m. Monday) since March 27. If it draws 200,000 by the April 26 deadline, the presidential office will take an official position on the issue.
Online petition:
https://www1.president.go.kr/petitions/177684?navigation=petitions
/ Korea Times photo by Choi Won-suk
/ Korea Times photo by Choi Won-suk