In 1987, President Ronald Reagan made a public proclamation that March would be recognized as Developmental Disabilities Awareness Month to “increase public awareness of the needs and potential of Americans with developmental disabilities” and to urge citizens to provide “the encouragement and opportunities [people with developmental disabilities] need to lead productive lives and to achieve their full potential.”

Thanks to the work and dedication of self advocates, families, and allies, the “potential” of people with developmental disabilities is being realized daily, and our world looks very different today than it did in 1987. Here at the ACL, we are spending this year’s IDD Awareness Month focusing on the social issues that continue to cause barriers for people with IDD while celebrating the successes, contributions, and individuality of our self advocates.

If you have a picture, video, or story you would like to share to celebrate with us this month, you can email it to us for use on our blog and social media, or you can post it yourself using #ACLcommunitylife

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