March is Developmental Disabilities Awareness Month
March is Developmental Disabilities Awareness Month. It’s an opportunity to promote understanding about developmental disabilities impacting the lives of individuals and families in our communities.
Congress made the March designation in 1987. At the proclamation ceremony, President Reagan called on all Americans to join him in “according to our fellow citizens with disabilities both encouragement and the opportunities they need to lead productive lives and to achieve their full potential.”
Since 1987, other Federal legislation to promote disability rights has been passed. The Americans with Disability Act (ADA) (1990) prohibits discrimination against individuals with disabilities in many public areas. . The Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (1997) holds states accountable when they are not meeting the needs of students with disabilities. The Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA) (2014) expands access to employment and support services.
Although there has been progress in disability rights, many individuals still encounter barriers to employment, housing, education, and community participation. Developmental Disabilities Awareness Month is an opportunity to point that out and to advocate for change in the rights afforded to people with disabilities.
You can make a difference in the lives of people with developmental disabilities.
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