Developmental Disability Awareness Month

February 16, 2011

Did you know that March is National Developmental Disability Awareness Month? I

learned of this about 2 weeks ago, from an ARC of the United States e-newsletter

that mentioned it. There were a few suggestions for ways state chapters or

service providers or other members could work on increasing awareness in their

state or local community. I thought I'd see if my fellow NapervilleWorks

colleagues were interested; and wow, did they ever rise to the challenge.

Here are just a few of the things we've got in place as of today with more to

come. Thought I'd share these with you in case anyone wants to replicate in

their own communities.

There's a great website with a full range of materials & ideas at low or no

cost: www.publicimagesnetwork.org. It has posters, templates for press

releases, church bulletin inserts, PSAs and more. The theme this year is

'Together'. Here's what we have organized to date:

1. City Proclamation designating March as DD Awareness Month in Naperville

(City Council meeting March 1 -- thank you Councilman for getting that

date reserved for us)

2. March 24th Transition Forum scheduled in Council Chambers, highlighting how

together, as a community, we all win when residents with DDs work, volunteer,

recreate, worship and vote together. More on this as details are finalized

(thanks again Councilman and ADA Coordinator Marita Manning).

3. Month long displays confirmed at all Naperville Public Libraries, with

resource materials, children's books, software and other items available for

checkout.

4. Month long displays at each of our public school's Learning Centers with same

as above.

5. Press releases going out to all faith communities in Naperville with a sample

bulletin insert describing ways a congregation can consider celebrating their

members with developmental disabilities

(thank you to our City's ADA Coordinator, Marita Manning, for her help with

this)

6. Article about March as DD Awareness Month in local magazine Positively

Naperville (thanks again Marita!)

There may be more, but not bad for a week and a half of knowing about it.

Imagine what we can do next year.

Let me know if anyone else is doing this & if you've found better sources of

information or promotional activities. I believe this falls under the proverbial

'building local capacity' heading, don't you?

Take care,

Laurie

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