This specific awareness of Developmental Disabilities is very special and hits close to home for me because as most of my readers know, I have a developmental disability (processing/learning). The information I gathered from various online research concerning this awareness, is very important and since the mid-1800s, great improvements, awareness, and education have been achieved. Over six million Americans are said to have developmental disabilities. It is estimated by the Center for Disease Control and Prevention in the U.S. that as many as one in six children (17%) can be dealing with developmental disabilities. It was only after the deinstitutionalization movement of the 1970s and 1980s that then President Ronald Reagan declared March the month for National Developmental Disabilities Awareness in 1987.
Observed in the Month of March:
The National Developmental Disabilities Awareness Month is observed every year in March in the United States. This class of disabilities can refer to impairments in learning and behavior, such as autism, attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder, and impairments in physical and/or intellectual functioning such as cerebral palsy, spina bifida, and Down syndrome. This specific campaign seeks to raise awareness about including people with developmental disabilities in all facets of community life. It also creates awareness of the difficulties that people with disabilities still face in fitting into the communities in which they live.
History and Facts on Developmental Disabilities:
• Before the 19th century, people with developmental disabilities were treated violently and lived in poor, unhygienic environments. Many were “passed on in life”, a practice of carting off people to be dropped in another town. More awareness about developmental disabilities spread in this century both in England and in the United States.
• Social reformers such as Dorothy Dea became leading advocates of the human rights of people with disabilities. Since it was socially unacceptable for a woman to speak in Congress, she asked another reformer, Samuel Gridley Howe, to present her argument for rehabilitating people with disabilities. The motion was passed in the Senate and the House of Representatives but was vetoed by President Pierce. Even the Romantic poets of England such as Byron, Wordsworth, and Keats, who highlighted the goodness of leading a simple life close to nature, were instrumental in prompting authorities to situate asylums in the countryside.
• Other reformers and educationists such as Edouard Seguin believed in the benefits of sensory and muscular training to force the central nervous system to “take over” and perform duties that children were otherwise unable to. Maria Montessori was influenced by his methods while working with children with disabilities and other children. The nature of training and institutions continued to evolve over the century, leading to an adverse development. Custodial institutions started being established by the end of the century, which essentially segregated pupils from the rest of the community.
Personal Note:
Individuals who have a developmental disability (and other various disabilities) are definitely employable, offer a unique purpose not only in the community but also in the workplace. Just because we may learn differently, sometimes speak slower, show a delay in responding to questions, use a wheelchair, can’t drive, need necessary accommodations or equipment in the workplace, perform jobs that others may not want to do, we want to do our share as other non-disabled citizens. We also want to continue contributing to society, the economy, and future growth to our country. Sometimes hiring a disabled person may bring a company their best employee. Hiring a disabled person will provide the individual with a purpose in life and they will accomplish financial and living independence.
Source of Information: Various Google Searches and personal experience
Until Next Time, Stay Safe and Well!
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