Month highlights many ways in which people with and without disabilities come together to form strong, diverse communities
(LITTLE ROCK, Ark.) — Developmental disability advocates and state officials gathered as Governor Asa Hutchinson proclaimed March 2022 Developmental Disabilities Awareness Month. Every March, Developmental Disabilities Awareness Month seeks to raise awareness about the inclusion of people with developmental disabilities in all facets of community life.
[Click here for photos and video, or to read the full proclamation]
For this special awareness month, the Arkansas Department of Human Services (DHS) and its partners highlight the many ways in which people with and without disabilities come together to form strong, diverse communities and to raise awareness of the barriers that people with disabilities still sometimes face in connecting to the communities in which they live.
“Expanding the conversation of inclusion and accessibility is an integral part of our daily work,” said DHS Secretary Cindy Gillespie. “We are proud to celebrate Developmental Disabilities Month and highlight the individuals we serve, along with our staff and our dedicated providers.”
The mission of the DHS Division of Developmental Disabilities Services (DDS) is to enable individuals with developmental and intellectual disabilities to live fulfilling lives as members of the community by providing support services customized to their individual needs. Building inclusive communities lies at the heart of that effort.
“We believe that a community is not whole and it’s not healthy until all members have the opportunity to contribute,” said DDS Director Melissa Weatherton. “Every person has the right to the pursuit of happiness, and every individual has that capacity and that right to contribute to society. That’s why we offer dedicated services to help people with developmental disabilities live in their own homes or in one of our five Human Development Centers across the state and to pursue and maintain employment of their choice. With the right kind of support, all individuals can live independent and rewarding lives.”
In 1987, President Ronald Reagan recognized Developmental Disabilities Awareness Month to “increase public awareness of the needs and the potential of Americans who face developmental disabilities and to provide the opportunities they need in order to live productive lives and to achieve their full potential.”
Developmental disabilities are a group of conditions due to an impairment in physical, learning, language, or behavior areas. These conditions begin during the developmental period, may impact day-to-day functioning, and usually last throughout a person’s lifetime.
Another similar term you might hear is intellectual disability (ID). Intellectual disability is a disability characterized by significant limitations in both intellectual functioning and in adaptive behavior, which covers many everyday social and practical skills. This disability originates before the age of 18.
For more information on Developmental Disabilities Awareness Month, visit ar.gov/ddawareness.
