March 1-31, 2022
President Ronald Reagan declared Proclamation 5613 making March National Disabilities Awareness Month on February 26, 1987.
Disabilities include disabilities such as cerebral palsy, autism, muscular dystrophy, Down syndrome, PTSD, deaf or hearing impaired, physical challenges, fetal alcohol spectrum disorder among many others and affect a person’s growth and/or cognition. But people shouldn’t have to be worried or alarmed if someone has a developmental/intellectual/physical disability. They can usually live normal lives as long as they have the proper supports.
The Disabilities Awareness Month spotlights how people with disabilities can lead normal lives with community support. The public can learn how they can help people with developmental/intellectual/physical disabilities achieve their dreams. Individuals with disabilities, can do anything people do without a disability. It may just take them a little longer, task may be altered to be achievable, or assistive technology may be necessary to complete the task. Accessibility is all about removing barriers so those with disabilities can shine.
Take the quiz-
How does someone with Down Syndrome shop for clothes?
a. Typically, with a basket or cart.
b. With help from a friend who knows her style.
c. On the website of a store she likes.
Why did the autistic girl go to the library?
a. To check out a book.
b. To volunteer
c. To use the super fast wi-fi
Two deaf guys walk into a bar. What comes next?
a. They’re greeted by a friendly server.
b. They complement the welcoming atmosphere.
c. They enjoy their drinks and leave a tip.
What do you call a person with a learning disability?
a. Whatever her name is of course.
b. Whatever she prefers to be called.
c. A pioneer of disability rights.
As you may have noticed, there are no wrong answers on this quiz. And the reason…its because people with disabilities do things for all the same reasons that everybody does. Once you get to know someone, and see them as a person, understanding where they are coming from is as easy as taking a test with only right answers. *
*Resource: unite2include.org
