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MARCH 2015
DEVELOPMENTAL DISABILITIES AWARENESS MONTH (DDAM)
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#SideBySide: Celebrating Togetherness during DDAM
Help raise awareness by sharing ways people with and without developmental disabilities make contributions to their communities
side-by-side!
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What is a developmental disability?
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A
developmental disability
(DD) is a severe, chronic disability that begins before the person reaches age 22 and is likely to continue throughout one's life. Examples of DD include intellectual disabilities, autism, and cerebral palsy.
SEC. 102. DEFINITIONS. [42 USC 15002](8).
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An estimated 4.7 million Americans have an
intellectual or developmental disability.
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| The National Association of Councils on Developmental Disabilities (NACDD) invites you to celebrate togetherness during DDAM by sharing photos, stories and videos of people with and without disabilities participating
together in community life.
How can I participate?
To participate in the campaign, post your photos, with a brief description, stories or videos directly to
NACDD's Facebook page
and/or
Twitter account
and tag it #SideBySide! *
Each week throughout the month of March you will receive a new email to share. Forward the information to others and encourage them to participate as well.
For questions about the campaign or if you do not have access to Facebook or Twitter, contact Angela Castillo-Epps or call 202-506-5813 ext.100 * When you publish content or information using the Public setting, it means that you are allowing everyone, including people off of Facebook, to access and use that information, and to associate it with you (i.e., your name and profile picture). In addition, NACDD reserves the right to potentially use select entries for future advocacy efforts, campaigns, and publications and social media. |
Celebrating Togetherness during DDAM
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(Ruth Davis & Summer Buchanan)
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RECREATION & THE ARTS
"We have learned that when you know someone's story, you build community and build relationships. When you can break through the labels, you can see the common threads that weave our stories together."
~ Bob Browning, town administrator; Jonesborough, TN commenting on inclusive theater arts programs.
The Jonesborough Repertory Theater (JRT) brings together people of all ages and abilities through theater and storytelling. JRT offers year-round acting classes, workshops and camps. Summer, who has Down syndrome, began dancing at four years old and still performs in some of the theater's hit musicals, and even serves as an usher at the theater.
Her parents shared, "JRT has played an important role in Summer's life since she was small, ... the JRT family has been supportive of Summer being a real part of the theater."
Magnus attended two musical theater camps and sums up his experience performing at the JRT.
"I have made a lot of new friends and I really get to act out characters. It does not matter what your ability level is, everyone has a place and you can always learn something."
~ Inclusive theater program participant, age 13
Versions of the above excerpt originally appeared in the TN Council on Developmental Disabilities
2013 arts issue of "Breaking Ground" (p. 5-7), written by Kathleen B. Buttolph.
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Did you know?
In a survey of over 8,500 people with developmental disabilities, 77% reported that they had friends or caring relationships with people besides their paid support staff & family members.
(National Core Indicators data)
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