Celebrating Inclusion for Developmental Disabilities Awareness Month
March 12, 2020 – March has been recognized as Developmental Disabilities Awareness Month since 1987 when President Ronald Reagan encouraged Americans to provide individuals with developmental disabilities “the encouragement and opportunities they need to lead productive lives and to achieve their full potential.”
Developmental disabilities can affect how the brain thinks (cognitive) and how the body moves (physical). Sometimes, it can affect both. Sometimes you can see a person has a disability. For example, they may use a wheelchair. Other disabilities, like a cognitive challenge that affects someone’s ability to speak, learn or interact with others aren’t easily recognized.
At Chimes, we believe in helping people with both cognitive and physical disabilities live their fullest life by focusing on their abilities and offering an array of support services. Our network expands from toddler-to-senior services, with supports that are tailored to the unique abilities and needs of each person. All of our services are integrated within various communities to maximize opportunities and growth for our participants.
While our service options vary by location, we offer a range of educational services, residential supports, day and vocational training, supported employment and competitive employment opportunities. All services and facilities are licensed by the respective states and our vocational programs are accredited by The Commission on Accreditation of Rehabilitation Facilities (CARF).
While there have been changes in the decades since the first developmental disabilities month, many challenges remain for this vulnerable population.
Each March, the National Association of Councils on Developmental Disabilities (NACDD) partners with Association for University Centers on Disabilities (AUCD) and National Disabilities Rights Network (NDRN) to create a social media campaign that highlights the many ways in which people with and without disabilities come together to form strong, diverse communities.
This year’s campaign features images by artists Eileen Schofield and Jamila Rahini from local DC studio Art Enables. You can join this campaign, which seeks to raise awareness about the inclusion of people with developmental disabilities, by downloading this year’s Developmental Disabilities Awareness logo and sharing it online.
if you would like to join us for an advocacy event, visit: chimes.org
