Alleghany Highlands Community Services (AHCS) wants the community to know that March is Developmental Disabilities Awareness Month. Since 1987, March has been designated National Developmental Disabilities Awareness Month by President Ronald Reagan. During this month, we celebrate the many contributions individuals with developmental disabilities make to our society.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, developmental disabilities are defined as impairments in physical, learning, language or behavior areas and include: autism spectrum disorders, cerebral palsy, intellectual disabilities and other developmental delays. One in seven children ages 3-17 have one or more developmental disabilities, and developmental disabilities occur among all racial, ethnic, and socioeconomic groups.
Developmental Disabilities Awareness Month is a time to acclaim the importance of inclusion of people with developmental disabilities in all areas of community life. People with developmental disabilities are accomplishing amazing things every day. Awareness of the barriers people with disabilities sometimes face in participating in the community and how we can each support their broader inclusion is key to a more diverse and equitable society for all.
In celebration of Developmental Disabilities Awareness Month, AHCS will be partnering with the Historic Masonic Theater to host the movie “I am Sam” on March 24, 2022, at 6:30 pm. This movie is about a dad who has a child with an intellectual disability. We will also be sponsoring a blood drive to recognize National Autism Awareness Month on April 5, 2022, from 1:00 pm to 5:00 pm at the YMCA. These events will be advertised on our agency’s Facebook page.
Alleghany Highlands Community Services encourages all citizens of to give full support of efforts toward enabling all individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities to live full and productive lives in the community. We’re proud to honor those we serve and to celebrate the work that we do.
Sincerely,
Ingrid W. Barber
Executive Director
Alleghany Highlands Community Services
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