National Developmental Disabilities Awareness Month

National Developmental Disabilities Awareness Month

National Developmental Disabilities Awareness Month is observed in March each year. The ribbon color for this awareness month is blue. Others developmental disabilities organizations use yellow and blue or orange as their designated color. No matter which color you choose while observing this month, doing so brings awareness to the cause. Wear a blue enamel awareness pin, blue fabric ribbon, or blue silicone awareness bracelet to recognize this important awareness month. Further, National Developmental Disabilities Awareness Month teaches about developmental disabilities throughout the month of March.

During March, all individuals, agencies, and organizations concerned with the challenges of developmental disabilities observe this awareness month with appropriate activities. Activities are directed toward increasing public awareness of the needs and the potential of Americans with developmental disabilities. It also stresses the importance of inclusion within every aspect of life. Further, the month shares stories of individuals with a disability to show that a successful life is possible!

National Association of Councils on Developmental Disabilities

Each March, the National Association of Councils on Developmental Disabilities (NACDD) partners with and works together to create a social media campaign. The campaign highlights the many ways in which people with and without disabilities come together to form strong, diverse communities. The campaign seeks to raise awareness about the inclusion of people with developmental disabilities in all facets of community life. It also serves to highlight barriers that people with disabilities still sometimes face in connecting to the communities in which they live.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), developmental disabilities are impairments in physical, learning, language or behavior areas, and include:

• Autism spectrum disorders.
• Cerebral palsy.
• Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder.
• Learning or intellectual disabilities.
• Hearing loss.
• Vision impairment.
• Other developmental delays.

Developmental Disabilities – Defined

Easterseals, the national nonprofit leader in empowering people with developmental disabilities to be full and equal participants in society, defines developmental disabilities as disabilities that occur from birth to the first few years of development. They may impact day-to-day functioning, and are typically lifelong diagnoses.

Common developmental disabilities include autism spectrum disorder, cerebral palsy, down syndrome, hearing or vision loss, learning disorders, and ADHD. Developmental disabilities are understood to be caused by a complex interaction of factors including genetics, parental health and behaviors during pregnancy, or by complications during birth, among other possible factors. The specific cause is often unknown.

The prevalence of developmental disabilities is more common than people realize. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 17% of children in the United States between the ages of three and 17 have one or more developmental disabilities or delays. In total, more than five million Americans reportedly have developmental disabilities.

Living with developmental disabilities can create a variety of challenges, such as difficulties with mobility, communication, self-help, independent living and physical and mental health issues. Moreover, people with developmental disabilities are vulnerable to abuse and neglect on many levels. This includes, for example, physical, psychological, legal, and systemic abuse.

History of National Developmental Disabilities Awareness Month

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.”