The Village of Rockville Centre once again lit up Village Hall in blue, marking the start of its annual recognition of Autism Awareness Month in April.
The building was illuminated on March 31, serving as a visible symbol of the village’s commitment to supporting individuals of all abilities and fostering a more inclusive community.
“Autism Acceptance Month is a meaningful reminder that in our village, inclusion and understanding are essential to who we are,” Mayor Francis X. Murray said. “By joining RVC Blue Speaks to Light It Up Blue, we reaffirm our commitment to ensuring that every resident, of all abilities, feels welcomed, supported and valued as part of our community.”
The tradition has grown over the years, evolving from lighting a tree outside Village Hall to illuminating the entire building, making the message more visible for residents and visitors alike.
Village officials partnered with RVC Blue Speaks to bring the initiative to life, embracing it as a way to unite the community around acceptance.
“When I think of RVC, I think of respect, value and acceptance of all others,” said Mary Lou Cancellieri, a co-founder of RVC Blue Speaks. “And part of our tagline is ‘love all others.’ So RVC Blue Speaks loves all others, regardless of who you are and what your needs are.”
As spring brings more people outdoors, the blue-lit Village Hall serves as a reminder to be mindful of others and to lead with kindness. The display encourages residents to recognize that autism exists on a wide spectrum and that not all differences are immediately visible.
“This is the time when people are going outdoors, and this is the time when we can maybe notice more things that we could do for others,” Cancellieri said. “It’s just like a wake-up call. Let’s all come together for this very noble cause for acceptance.”
While the effort is rooted in the local community, it is also part of the broader “Light It Up Blue” movement, inspired by the United Nations’ designation of April 2 as World Autism Awareness Day. By participating, Rockville Centre joins communities around the world in promoting awareness — and acceptance — throughout April and beyond.
RVC Blue Speaks is a coalition of community members, local officials, business owners and advocates united by a shared goal of supporting families affected by autism. As a volunteer-based nonprofit, the organization directs all donations toward helping those in need.
Founded by Mary Lou and Anthony Cancellieri, the group promotes a vision of a community in which individuals of all abilities are included, accepted and supported. Its mission focuses on raising awareness and acceptance of autism spectrum disorder while supporting research, programs and initiatives that benefit families on Long Island and beyond.
For more information, visit RVCBlueSpeaks.org.
