National Developmental Disabilities Awareness Month

Did you know that March is National Developmental Disabilities Awareness Month? Every year, the National Association of Councils on Developmental Disabilities (NACDD) creates a social media campaign that showcases the many ways in which people with and without disabilities can come together to form a better, more inclusive community. This year’s theme is Worlds Imagined, and they are encouraging people to raise awareness about the ever-changing opportunities for inclusion of people with developmental disabilities. The campaign calls for people to provide understanding, encouragement, and opportunities to help people with disabilities to lead a productive and fulfilling life.

Creating a just and equal community means eliminating barriers by:

· Creating accessible education and work experience

· Creating accessible and transparent job descriptions, applications, and interviews

· Addressing and stopping negative stereotypes and ableism

· Paying livable wages

· Building inclusive workplaces, partnerships, and opportunities in all communities

National Developmental Disabilities Awareness Month is a great time to encourage the inclusion of people with developmental disabilities in all areas of the community, as well as to raise awareness that people with disabilities still face difficulties connecting with resources where they live.

Triangle has been supporting people with developmental disabilities for 50 years by providing programs that prepare people to participate in the workforce, encourage engagement in their communities, build independent living skills, and empower people to use their voices to advocate for themselves and others. As we all commemorate Developmental Disabilities Awareness Month, we hope you will support Triangle and other service providers as they carry out their missions while also encouraging your local businesses, town/city governments, and community organizations to become more inclusive.