Local Redbridge traders have been presented with Autism Awards by the UK Autism Foundation to mark the fourth United Nations World Autism Awareness Day, recently held on 2nd April. A Gold Award was presented to Zack Zacknoun of Broadway Barbers in Woodford Green.

Ivan Corea of UKAF said: 'Having a haircut can be a difficult experience for a child or adult with autism. Children with autism from all over Redbridge come to Broadway Barbers in the Broadway in Woodford Green because of the proprieter, Zack Zacknoun - he is kind, patient and understanding. Even our son Charin who is on the autism spectrum now goes to Broadway Barbers. At the start Charin was unsure about getting his hair cut but Zack put him at ease. '

A second Gold Award to mark UN World Autism Awareness Day was presented to Punita Marwaha, a beauty therapist working with Naina's Beauty Box at 130 Snakes Lane East in Woodford Green.'Parents, carers and women with autism are customers of Naina's Beauty Box in Woodford Green, Punita Marwaha has attended to their needs and is now so much more aware of autism,' said Ivan.

UKAF organised what was probarbly the only global WAAD event - the World Autism Awareness Day Twitter Storm on 2nd April. Thousands of people from around the world including the celebrated media personality and author Stephen Fry joined UKAF's international twitter storm using the hashtags #autism #worldautismawarenessday #waad. Earlier, the celebrated human rights campaigner Bianca Jagger, urged people to join UKAF's Twitter Storm. So many people tweeted about autism, lobbying and campaigning about the serious issues. The Twitter Storm was an outstanding success and thousands kept is going throughout the day and night.

The autism charity was also featured in the Independent's Autism Supplement, published in the newspaper on the 30th of March. UKAF appealed to Prime Minister David Cameron and Chancellor of the Exchequer, George Osborne to think again before scrapping the Disability Living Allowance. UKAF is concerned that such a move will drive parents, carers and the Autism Community deeper into poverty and that it will affect independence and autonomy. To access the Independent's Autism Supplement featuring the work of the UK Autism Foundation: http://tinyurl.com/autism-independent

Do you know of a trader who is sensitive to the needs of parents, carers, children and adults with autism? If you think they deserve to be acknowledged then send in your recommendations with their names, addresses, contact telephone numbers as well as your contact details your address/telephone number and UKAF will send them an Award Certificate to mark the United Nations World Autism Awareness Day 2011. Write to the UK Autism Foundation, Local WAAD Awards, P.O.Box 53162, LONDON E18 9AZ.