Celebrating our Community on Developmental Disabilities Awareness Month
Image by NACDD.
In 1987, President Reagan recognized March as Developmental Disabilities Awareness Month to increase “public awareness of the needs and the potential of Americans with developmental disabilities” and to provide the “encouragement and opportunities they need to lead productive lives and to achieve their full potential.”
Every seventh person alive today–more than 1 billion people in total–lives with some form of disability. At S:US, we serve approximately 800 people with intellectual/developmental disabilities (I/DD), as well as neurologic and psychiatric disorders. Common developmental disabilities include autism spectrum disorder, cerebral palsy, down syndrome, hearing, or vision loss, learning disorders, and ADHD.
With the right set of supports, people with I/DD can live in, work in, contribute to and participate in the community. This happens over and over again, and every time it does, our society is made better and stronger.
This year’s theme for DD Awareness Month is A World of Opportunities. At S:US, we work towards a world with opportunities for all. We join our community in making a world where everyone has the chance to thrive. S:US is committed to creating inclusive communities where everyone is valued, can do well, and succeed.
The month reminds us to reflect on the fact that we are all part of a broad spectrum of intellectual and physical functioning and pushes us all to be more understanding, compassionate, and focused on the work we need to continue to do as we strive to help people reach their fullest potential by creating opportunities for meaningful relationships, full integration into the community, and personal growth.
Please join S:US in supporting our collective effort at improving the lives of people with I/DD, their families, and circles of support today, this month, and every month.