Arkansas Governor’s Council on Developmental Disabilities

inclusion. integration. independence.

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March is Developmental Disabilities Awareness Month and it is time to spread the word and take action! Join us each year – in the month of March – to spread awareness, promote acceptance and celebrate the advancement of individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilites.

UNITED FOR INCLUSION

Join us in highlighting the many ways in which people with and without disabilities come together to form stronger, more diverse communities. Together, we can do more to sustain the inclusion of people with intellectual and developmental disabilities in all areas of community life. We are united in fostering an inclusive culture across Arkansas, because inclusion benefits everyone, enriching the lives of individuals with and without disabilities alike. During this month, we want people to share their stories, photos, and resources far and wide to expand the conversation on community inclusion.

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 of developmental disabilities, our focus has shifted to highlighting the importance of community inclusion and disability acceptance.

What can you do?

Please contact the GCDD with info on events, stories, photos, and resources you want to share by emailing [email protected]. Together we can do more to make DDAM Arkansas 2019 a success!

Resources from the national campaign are available at https://nacdd.org/ddam/ and/or contact Council staff with questions or requests for Arkansas-specific DDAM resources.

Council Administrative Office Phone 501-682-2897


National DDAM Campaign Weekly Focus Areas:

March 1 –8: Education    
March 11 –15: Employment   
March 18 –22: Community Living
March 25 –29: General

DDAM Arkansas 2019 Schedule

03/04/2019                    Developmental Disabilities Awareness Month Arkansas Kickoff
                                     10am    DDAM19 Proclamation Event with Governor Hutchinson              Gov’s Conf Room/State Capitol
                                     Collaboration with DHS-DDS and other partners

03/14/2019                 10 am   Gather @ Capitol Rotunda for DDAM Day at the Capitol                Arkansas State Capitol

                                    10:30 am  Community of Champions Pi(e) Day at the Capitol                     Capitol Rotunda, 2nd Floor
                                    A Legislative Advocacy Event

                                     1:00 pm  GCDD Quarterly Business Meeting                                                   Committee Room 130

                                     2:30 pm  Arkansas People First Rally                                                               Capitol Steps

03/21/2019                   Individuals with Developmental Disabilities Employment Support Day
The Governor’s Office, in cooperation with the Governor’s Council on Developmental Disabilities and the Department of Human Services (DHS) Division of Developmental Disabilities (DDS), encourages all Arkansas businesses to take part by opening their businesses to individuals with developmental disabilities on Employment Support Day. Businesses can choose how they want to participate; a business could hold an “open house” that day to showcase certain jobs it offers, or a business could choose to allow an individual to shadow one of its employees performing job duties for an hour that day. If you want to participate, please contact Yvette Swift ([email protected]) by March 11, 2019 and let her know if you plan to take part.