Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities Awareness Month

by Dora Raymaker · 2009-03-18 10:46:00 UTC
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big words painted on a large wall that read 'respect and diversity in our community'March is Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities Awareness month, and it seems different states have different themes.

The theme in Ohio is "Just Like You," quote from that article "Just like You encourages people to bring diversity to their communities by welcoming people with disabilities into local neighborhoods, workplaces, houses of worship and schools..."

In my state the theme is one I like even better, "GET INFORMED, GET INVOLVED, GET RESULTS!" The governor of Oregon has made a proclamation (PDF) which I quote:

WHEREAS: Developmental disability is a natural part of the human experience, affecting nearly 37,000 Oregon children and adults; and

WHEREAS: All people with developmental disabilities can be productive, contributing members of their communities; and

WHEREAS: Many people with developmental disabilities rely on publicly funded services and supports in order to fully participate in community life; and

WHEREAS: During times of economic decline, essential services and supports for people with developmental disabilities are often threatened; and

WHEREAS: The power of people with disabilities is strongest when their voices are united; and

WHEREAS: Policy makers can only make good public policy when they hear from the people directly affected by their decisions.

NOW,
THEREFORE: I, Theodore R. Kulongoski,Governor of the State of Oregon,hereby proclaim March 2009 to be DEVELOPMENTAL DISABILITIES AWARENESS MONTH in Oregon and encourage all Oregonians to join in this observance.

Wow.

As I look toward April's impending brand of "awareness" with dread, I also look toward the larger developmental disabilities community with appreciation and a desire to learn. That larger community has been successful in ensuring that "awareness," at least for March, means awareness of civil rights, humanity, ability, and empowerment for myself and those like me. Not pity and doom.

People with one specific developmental disability label (autism) must not be excluded from the civil rights and respect granted to people with all other developmental disability labels--Kulongoski's statement is true for all of us who are classified as developmentally disabled.

I will claim the empowering awareness message of March as my own and forget April, thanks. And hope continued work by the larger developmental disabilities community in conjunction with autistic self-advocates can bring "awareness" about autism into the 21st century.

Dora Raymaker
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