Join the Governor’s Council on Developmental Disabilities Arkansas (the Council) and our partners during Developmental Disabilities Awareness Month (DDAM) in highlighting the many ways in which people with and without disabilities come together to form stronger, more diverse communities across our state.

We encourage you to share stories, photos, and resources to expand the conversation on community inclusion. Please contact the GCDD staff by emailing [email protected] with info on events, stories, photos, and resources you would like us to share.

On social media search for and use the hashtags #DDawareness2023, #DDAM2023, #BeyondtheConvo or #BeyondtheConversation

Each year in March the Arkansas Council works with our national association, the National Association of Councils on Developmental Disabilities (NACDD), and other partners across the United States, to promote acceptance and inclusion, as well as increase awareness of the barriers that people with disabilities still face in connecting to the communities in which they live.

2023 DDAM Theme
The national theme for DDAM 2023 is “Beyond the Conversation”.

History of DDAM
In 1987, President Ronald Reagan made a public proclamation that the month of March should be recognized as Developmental Disabilities Awareness Month to “increase public awareness of the needs and potential of Americans with developmental disabilities.” Though our mission remains largely the same, so much has changed since 1987. While we still aim to increase public awareness, our focus has shifted to the importance of inclusion and acceptance.