Proclamations in honor of Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities (I/DD) Awareness month were recently made by the Governor of Colorado, the Arapahoe County commissioners, and the Douglas County commissioners! We thank them for honoring and recognizing the need for inclusion and participation for people with disabilities.
Governor Jared Polis proclaimed March 29, 2023, as I/DD Awareness Day, stating: “Colorado wishes to celebrate, promote, and protect the human rights of people with disabilities and actively support their full inclusion and participation in the community throughout their lifetimes.”
You can read the full proclamation here: State of Colorado I/DD Awareness Day 2023 Proclamation.
Arapahoe County Government proclaimed March 2023 as Developmental Disabilities Awareness Month, stating: “The Arapahoe County Board of Commissioners recognizes the continuing need to educate all in the movement towards full inclusion in community life.”
You can watch a video of the proclamation here, featuring our CEO and Executive Director, Matt VanAuken, talking about our long-standing partnership with Arapahoe County and the importance of inclusion for the I/DD community.
Douglas County Government proclaimed March 2023 as I/DD Awareness Month, stating: “Douglas County celebrates the diverse contributions, capacity, and value of our residents with intellectual and developmental disabilities and is proud to recognize March as Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities Awareness Month.”
You can watch a video of the proclamation here.
In the same meeting, the Board of Douglas County Commissioners also gave Wellspring Community the keys to a property that will be transformed into independent living for adults with I/DD, and many individuals were able to speak directly to the commissioners about their experience with their I/DD services and the importance of the Wellspring housing project. You can read more about this project on the Douglas County website here.
DP is passionately committed to supporting individuals with disabilities in meeting their fullest potential through community participation and full inclusion. Thank you to everyone who has helped us celebrate Developmental Disabilities Awareness Month this March as we continue to champion the talents and abilities of our community daily!
Learn more about our 2023 DD Awareness Month Campaign at www.dpcolo.org/dd-awareness-month/.