Ruiqi "Angela" Liu is the project manager of Wuhan Xile Children's Rehabilitation Center. She has been in this role since 2013, organizing public education activities for people with autism to raise awareness and understanding of that condition. She has also collaborated with social organizations and enterprises such as One Foundation, Vanke Charity Foundation, and Cummins to implement 50 autism family support projects. She is passionate about speaking up for individuals with autism, attending to their family’s needs and increasing their visibility.

IVLP Impact Award Project: Breaking the Barriers of Hearts and Building Bridges of Communication – Social Integration Project for Autistic Groups

The project will sponsor a series of educational activities in schools designed to establish a bridge of communication between autistic children and other children. Over six months, a series of autism awareness events and social integration activities will be launched in classrooms, enabling neurotypical children to better engage with their autistic peers. By allowing neurotypical children to gain firsthand experience with autism, the project will provide a more direct understanding and teach them how to interact positively with autistic individuals. Through project activities, Angela hopes to cultivate a stronger sense of social responsibility towards marginalized groups.

Since the project began in July, Angela has organized a volunteer training session, a community science activity, an art therapy activity, and a sports activity, engaging a total of 35 children in these activities. One highlight of the project so far is the performance the project’s young participants put on in August. The group, comprised of children with autism and without, danced, sang, and played the drums together for a crowd of their parents and friends, receiving huge rounds of applause and even some tears.

“We need to establish a communication bridge between the general public and the autistic community, starting from students in regular schools, so that autistic children can be seen and understood.” – Ruiqi “Angela” Liu

IVLP Exchange Experience 

Angela participated in the IVLP Project Non-Profit Organizations and U.S. Society organized by the U.S. Department of State and Meridian International Center, in partnership with International Citizen Diplomacy of Los Angeles, WorldChicago, WorldMontana, and World Affairs Council of New Hampshire.

Angela’s exchange experience led to the development of her project: “I had the honor to participate in the IVLP project in June 2023 and visit the United States…We visited NGOs in different fields…and learned about the support for autistic groups in the United States. Through two-way interactive activities, autistic groups and volunteers can be in a relationship of mutual support [and] equality…and [learn] how to treat autistic groups correctly in the society, without ignoring or discriminating, and giving them more respect and support.”

“When visiting the United States, [we observed] KEEN Greater DC Baltimore's…focus on the participation and shared enjoyment of entertainment activities for individuals with autism…This is something we need to learn from.” – Ruiqi “Angela” Liu

U.S. Communities Visited

Los Angeles, CA; Washington, DC; Chicago, IL; Helena, MT; Manchester, NH

Country: China

 

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