We start the week picking up on where we left off last Friday, looking at how Developmental Disabilities Awareness Month is being observed in cities and town across the United States. Much like the people they are supporting, each community’s activities have their own unique flavor.
So far, the best visuals can be found in The Herald-Dispatch, of Huntington, West Virginia. A local school for children with disabilities held a balloon launch on a clear March day and Tom Nunnery provided photos of the events for the newspaper’s online media gallery. The brief writeup accompanying the photos says a 5K Run/Walk and ChiliFest/Craft Show are planned for later in the month.
Inclusion is the the overarching goal of Developmental Disabilities Awareness Month, so getting children of all ages involved is critical to overcoming negative and false perceptions. In the community of Lexington, North Carolina, The Dispatch reports that national honor society students will be organizing activities in support of the “Spread the Word to End the Word” campaign, and a dance will be held at the town’s YMCA.
WMFD-TV says activities in Richland County, Ohio, include a coloring contest for third-graders and a community awareness day about employment and career training for people with disabilities. For those of you with Windows Media Player plugin, the station’s website has a video of county commissioners awarding a proclamation to the Element of Art Studio and Gallery, which will exhibit self-portraits by people with disabilities made in different mediums during March.
On Friday, we discussed how organizations advocating for people with disabilities on a national level are working toward increasing voter turnout and civic engagement during this year’s election cycle. As Jo Spargo writes in a letter to the editor of the West Side Leader of Akron, Ohio, Developmental Disabilities Awareness Month “paves the way toward improving the quality of life” for these people; which is why she took part in a rally at the Statehouse in Columbus on March 1 along with other support professionals and people with disabilities.
The issue most directly impacting people with disabilities in this year’s election will be whether Medicaid spending is protected or reduced in the federal budget. Both The Arc and the American Association of People for People with Disabilities provide online resources for people who want to learn more. In an op-ed on Forbes.com, attorney Bernard A. Krooks asks readers to consider all that the Medicaid program provides for people with disabilities:
Protecting Medicaid, in particular, is essential for people with special needs who do not have an employer or private health care coverage to meet their daily living needs. Medicaid provides critical services for acute care, therapy, long term care, and assistive supports. Part of the ‘Don’t Cut Our Lifeline’ campaign is to show that home and community services can be a better option for people with special needs rather than more expensive institutional services.
Hopefully, some of you will be inspired to organize your own Developmental Disabilities Awareness month observation. Please share any activities you’re aware of in the comments section.
Image by alibree (Alison H), used under its Creative Commons license.
Developmental Disabilities Awareness Month is a good moment to highlight how much inclusive community programs matter – not just in March but year round. The idea of celebrating everyone’s abilities and contributions aligns closely with what we have seen work in local employment initiatives: when communities focus on what people can do, businesses and neighborhoods both grow stronger. Thanks to the team for sharing these events and resources.
Developmental Disabilities Awareness Month is a great reminder that inclusion is built through everyday moments, not just proclamations. The community events and partnerships highlighted here show how much impact local organizations have when they open their doors and invite people in. Kudos to everyone who took part — awareness campaigns like this one change hearts one conversation at a time.
Developmental Disabilities Awareness Month is a great reminder that community support works best when it is built around each person’s own goals – whether that is a job they love, friendships in their neighborhood, or new skills. The person-centered approach described here is exactly what makes inclusion real instead of just a word. Kudos to the whole team.
Awareness months matter most when they turn into year-round inclusion, and it is great to see local organizations actually showing up rather than just posting a logo. Community events like these give families a chance to connect with providers and advocates in person. Hope the momentum from this month carries into hiring and accessibility programs across the region.
What a wonderful way to mark Developmental Disabilities Awareness Month. Inclusion works best when it is woven into everyday community life instead of being treated as a once-a-year occasion, and it is inspiring to see an organization that lives that value year round. Celebrating abilities and creating spaces where everyone can contribute makes the whole community stronger. Thank you for sharing these stories and for the work your teams do every day.