Sheldon, Iowa — March is Developmental Disabilities Awareness Month. The National Association of Councils on Developmental Disabilities says the goal is to raise awareness about the inclusion of people with developmental disabilities in all facets of community life, as well as awareness of the barriers that people with disabilities still sometimes face in connecting to the communities in which they live.
We had a chance to talk to Village Northwest Unlimited President & CEO Barry Whitsell about it. He tells us the origins of the awareness month.
(as said)”It started back in 1987 when President Ronald Reagan made a proclamation and called upon all Americans to kind of provide encouragement and opportunities that are necessary for people with developmental disabilities to reach their potential. “
Whitsell tells us what it is, specifically, that the folks behind the awareness month hope to shine a light on.
(as said)”I think it’s just to bring awareness to people with disabilities and that in many sense(s) of who they are, they’re no different than you and I. They want to have the opportunity to be included in the workforce and to earn paychecks. They want to live and work in the community and partake in activities, go to church, socialize… so in many respects, March — Developmental Disabilities Awareness Month is just to draw attention to the fact that people with disabilities are just like you and I and they want the same opportunities and benefits in life that you and I have.”
In other news from the Village, Whitsell says the board has decided not to fill the position of former Development Director Ryan Haack at this time. Haack left Village Northwest about a month ago to take another position. Whitsell says his duties will be absorbed in-house by Whitsell and others at the Village.
