On February 26, 1987, President Ronald Reagan declared Proclamation 5613 making March "National Developmental Disabilities Awareness Month." The proclamation emphasized that having a disability does not prevent people from living full and fulfilling lives (quite a notion in 1987!)

To kick off Developmental Disabilities Awareness Month, Nick Butler, an ACL Advocacy Coordinator, joined Colorado self-advocates at the Colorado State Capitol to talk with legislators and ensure their voices were being heard.

The Colorado House and Senate unanimously adopted a resolution recognizing the beginning of Disability Rights Awareness Month. We thank our representatives and senators for recognizing and honoring the human rights of people with disabilities.

Lieutenant Governor Dianne Primavera spoke to a crowd of self-advocates and allies at the Colorado Capitol about the importance of ensuring that people with disabilities are heard throughout State government.

Thank you to all the self-advocates, families, and supports who participated in Disability Rights Advocacy Day today at the Colorado Capitol. You made your voices heard and had a huge impact on the lives of people with disabilities across Colorado.

Submitted by Nick Butler, ACL Advocacy Coordinator and Caitlin Looney, ACL Training Architect