March is Developmental Disabilities Awareness Month

by Alan Bullock from The Jefferson Post:
March is “Developmental Disabilities Awareness Month” and Jessica Roland, Patricia Calloway and Shari Rognstad are just a few of those in Ashe County who are raising awareness and making a difference in the lives of those living with developmental disabilities.

“Ashe County, like every other county, has a need for services for people with disabilities,” Rognstad, executive director for Summit Support Services of Ashe, Inc., said.

“Ability to Work”

The N.C. Council on Developmental Disabilities (NCCDD) and other related organizations celebrate “Developmental Disabilities Awareness Month” each March ever since former President Ronald Reagan signed the first proclamation in 1987.

According to the National Institutes of Health, developmental disabilities are defined as long-term problems that affect physical and/or mental functions. Autism, Down Syndrome and certain learning disorders are a few examples.

“During ‘Developmental Disabilities Awareness Month’, we encourage people to learn more about the 172,000 people in N.C. who have developmental disabilities and to recognize that all of us have talents and abilities that we can offer in our workplaces and communities that make this a better place to live,” Chair of the NCCDD Ron Reeve said.

This year’s theme is “Ability at Work.”