March celebrates many different things, one of them being National Developmental Disabilities Awareness. This month, people help raise awareness of people with developmental disabilities. This year, in 2024, the theme is “A World of Opportunities.” The theme focuses on people with developmental disabilities working together to help remove obstacles that they may face in life.

Developmental disabilities, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), are defined as people who are impaired in physical, learning, language, or behavioral areas. This includes disabilities such as Autism Spectrum Disorders, Cerebral Palsy. Attention Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder, learning or intellectual disabilities, hearing loss, or vision impairment.

According to the National Disability Institute, in 1987, President Ronald Reagan recognized the month of March as National Developmental Disabilities Awareness Month to help, “public awareness of the needs and the potential of Americans with developmental disabilities” and “encouragement and opportunities they need to lead productive lives and to achieve their full potential.”

Through this month, the National Association of Councils on Developmental Disabilities (NACDD) are working together with their partners creating a social media campaign every March to spread awareness about the community. 

Ways that you can help throughout this month is to encourage and inspire those who have developmental disabilities to set goals that they can accomplish and help them to achieve their dreams. People can also wear the color orange which promotes positivity and energy. Individuals can also share information on social media, hosts events to spread awareness, and even help another in need.