March is Developmental Disabilities Awareness Month
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NORTH ADAMS, Mass. — Approximately 152,000 adults and children across the state have a developmental disability. In an effort to encourage positive thinking and proactive discussions about developmental disabilities, March was declared Developmental Disabilities Month in 1987.
Berkshire Family and Individual Resources, a nonprofit organization providing full program services for adults, adolescents and children with developmental disabilities, autism and acquired brain injury, will initiate several Facebook and Twitter campaigns during the month of March to raise awareness to the importance of respect and dignity for those with developmental disabilities.
“This is a time to celebrate the accomplishments of people with developmental disabilities but also continue to advocate and educate our community on the important issues affecting people with developmental disabilities,” said Rich Weisenflue, BFAIR's executive director.
A developmental disability is severe, chronic disability attributable to mental or physical impairment, or combination of such impairments, which manifests before the person is age 22 and is likely to continue indefinitely. It results in substantial functional limitations in three or more of these major life activities: self-care, receptive and expressive language, learning, mobility, self-direction, capacity for independent living and economic self-sufficiency. Some examples of a development disability are autism, cerebral palsy, intellectual disabilities and epilepsy.
“Berkshire County can become more active by advocating for system and policy changes, and getting to know fellow community members with a developmental disability,” said Ethel Altiery, Associate Executive Director.
For more information about Developmental Disabilities Awareness Month and to get involved in local efforts, visit www.bfair.org. BFAIR is a member agency of the Northern Berkshire United Way and Williamstown Community Chest. For more information about BFAIR’s programs and services visit www.bfair.org or call 413-664-9382.
Tags: BFAIR, disabilities,
