Awareness ribbons in recent history began when Penney Laingen used the ribbon as a symbol of vigilance ( from the song, Tie a Ribbon Around the Ole Oak Tree) when she tied a yellow ribbon around the oak tree in her front yard when her husband, Bruce Laingen. a top-ranking U.S. diplomat was a hostage during the Iran hostage crisis in 1979. This was followed by the red ribbon during the AIDS epidemic and the pink ribbon bringing awareness to breast cancer.
Ribbons have long been used as a way to bring awareness and raise consciousness for a cause. Ribbons and disability awareness have evolved from bringing awareness to various disability topics such as sensitivity, inclusion and advocacy to including various formats. People are using social media as a means to promote awareness including using hashtags and setting up Facebook pages specifically for disability awareness.
Disability awareness and acceptance is being done through the use of awareness ribbons.
The Ribbons below focus on ribbons that bring awareness to developmental disability and special needs issues. including individuals with neurodevelopmental and intellectual disabilities. Awareness is only a part of educating and training people on disability awareness. Training activities should also include acceptance and understanding.
Awareness Ribbons
Autism Spectrum Disorder- The Autism ribbon continues to evolve overtime. The puzzle piece 
was first used in 1963 by a parent and board member of the National Autistic Society in London indicating the puzzling, confusing nature of autism. In 1999, the puzzle piece ribbon 
was adopted as the universal sign of autism awareness by the Autism Society reflecting the complexity of the autism spectrum. Overtime, the both the puzzle and ribbon have become a symbol for seeing autism as something that is puzzling an needs to be fixed rather than acceptance. A more positive symbol includes the infinity loop 
used as a symbol for acceptance rather than awareness.
Angelman Syndrome- Blue
Apraxia- Light Blue
Attention Deficit Hyperactivity (ADHD)- Orange
Cerebral Palsy- Green
Cri Du Chat- Blue
Developmental Disabilities- Silver or light blue
Di George Syndrome- Teal
Down Syndrome- Blue and Yellow
Dravet Syndrome- Purple
Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy- Light Green
Epilepsy- Purple
Fetal Alcohol Syndrome Disorder- Silver and Blue
Fragile X Syndrome- Teal
Hydrocephalus- Light Blue
Prader Willi- Orange
Rare Disease- Zebra Stripe
Rett Syndrome- Purple
Sensory Processing Disorder- Blue or Orange
Sickle Cell Anemia- Burgundy
Spina Bifida- Yellow
Spinal Cord Injuries- Green
Tourette Syndrome- Teal
Trisomy 18- Light Blue
Turner Syndrome Purple Butterfly
Williams Syndrome- Burgundy
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Burgundy Awareness Ribbon
- Sickle Cell Anemia
- Williams Syndrome
Blue Awareness Ribbon
- Angelman Syndrome
- Cri Du Chat
Green Awareness Ribbon
- Cerebral Palsy
- Spinal Cord Injuries
Light Blue Awareness Ribbon
- Apraxia
- Developmental Disabilities
- Hydrocephalus
- Intellectual Disabilities
- Trisomy 18
Orange Awareness Ribbon
- Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD)
- Prader Willi Syndrome
- Sensory Processing Disorder
Teal Awareness Ribbon
- Fragile X Syndrome
- DiGeorge Syndrome
- Tourettte Syndrome
Purple Awareness Ribbon
- Dravet Syndrome
- Epilepsy
- Rett Syndrome
- Turner Syndrome
Blue and Yellow Awareness Ribbon
- Down Syndrome
Light Green Awareness Ribbon
- Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy
Silver and Blue Awareness Ribbon
- Fetal Alcohol Syndrome Disorder
Yellow Awareness Ribbon
- Spina Bifida
Observance and Awareness Month
February
Turner Syndrome Awareness
March
Kidney Awareness
April
May
June
July
National Craniofacial Awareness and Prevention Month
September
Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy Day
October
November
Updated 1/2/2021
March 26th is Purple Day, Support Epilepsy Around the World!
This is a great article, but I couldn’t help but get caught on the typo in the opening statement of the content.
I just wanted to point it out to you. Much love
Oh My.. Thank you so much. Really appreciate it!!
I would like to know what ribbon color is for Auditory Processing Disorder.
Hi Jennifer,
It is lime green
Thank you!! I have Auditory Processing Disorder.