In 1987 President Ronald Reagan declared March Developmental Disabilities Awareness Month (DDAM) calling on Americans to provide people with developmental disabilities “the encouragement and opportunities they need to lead productive lives and to achieve their full potential.” We know now that this means life side by side with everyone else, community inclusion, and having lives well lived that are personally fulfilling.
Some of the people we support wanted to share their lives with you, to play a part in creating a more inclusive tomorrow, creating friendships, opportunities, and acceptance. We are all bound to a humanitarian obligation to advocate for equity but more than that, we are all blessed in immeasurable ways by an inclusive community and building relationships.
No one can achieve their full potential when excluded or marginalized. Not anyone. That is why 2021 has become the year we commit to greater diversity and inclusion for all!