The Marion County Board of Developmental Disabilities (MCBDD) is proud to celebrate those served throughout March with Developmental Disabilities (or DD) Awareness Month.
March began to be recognized as DD Awareness Month in 1987 when President Ronald Reagan issued a public proclamation urging Americans to provide individuals with developmental disabilities “the encouragement and opportunities they need to lead productive lives and to achieve their full potential.”
County Boards of DD across the state and DD organizations nationwide use the month of March to celebrate the significant and positive change in the decades since and create further awareness regarding the many challenges that remain for this vulnerable population.
“We love the month of March here at MCBDD,” Cheryl Plaster, superintendent of the Marion County Board of Developmental Disabilities, said. “We celebrate those served every day, but in March, County Boards collectively tell amazing stories and create awareness. We love to see the newsfeeds and newspapers flooded with great stories about the work we do and the people we serve,” she added.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), developmental disabilities involve impairment in physical, learning, language, or behavior areas. Some common examples include down syndrome, autism spectrum disorders (ASD), cerebral palsy, and learning or intellectual disabilities, but there are thousands of diagnosis that may be deemed as a developmental disability.
MCBDD encourages the Marion County community to “follow along” on their social media platforms (Facebook, LinkedIn, Twitter, and Instagram) as they celebrate those they serve and the strengths they offer to our community.
The theme of MCBDD this month is “This Is Me, More Than DD.” The organization will highlight the character traits, strengths, and successes of those served to inform the general public that their developmental disabilities are often secondary to them and those around them.
The county board of DD manages and funds over 50 local providers of services. A provider is simply an independent agency that partners with MCBDD to provide the needed services. They are providing opportunities that promote growth and self-worth. Integrating individuals into the community is a large part of what providers and MCBDD do collaboratively.
The goal is to increase independence and teach the skills necessary for those served to be productive community members. Enhancing life skills opens opportunities for greater community integration while increasing confidence and self-advocacy. Providers assist with transportation, day services, residential services, budgeting, grocery shopping, cooking, first aid, community integration, employment, social skills, and much more!
The County Board of DD serves all ages, and you will see the depth and breadth of ages and services throughout their educational series in March.
As MCBDD celebrates those served, the organization encourages you to accept a community challenge. Meet someone new in our community. Go out of your comfort zone to learn about those who are slightly different than you. Volunteer for the Special Olympics, employ someone with a developmental disability, get involved, get educated, and get ready to fall in love with a part of your community that you may not have thought of before.