Embracing Diversity: Celebrating Developmental Disabilities Awareness Month

March marks more than just the change in season. It’s the time for recognition, acceptance, and celebration - it’s the Developmental Disabilities Awareness Month. Unfortunately, people with disabilities still face discrimination at schools and work. That’s why March has a special significance.

It is reserved for raising disability awareness, which helps promote acceptance and understanding. At Build My Wheelchair, we strive to promote awareness about disabilities.

Let's get started.

Understanding Developmental Disabilities

Developmental disabilities are a growing concern in the United States. According to a 2021 brief by the US Census Bureau, the percentage of children with a disability in the country went from 3.9% in 2008 to 4.3% in 2019. The only way to face this growing challenge is to raise awareness, which begins with understanding developmental disabilities.

Let's look at a few common developmental disabilities:

1. Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD): ASD is commonly known as autism. In the US, about 1 in 36 children has ASD. It is a complex developmental condition that affects how a person communicates, interacts with others, learns, and behaves. Its severity and symptoms are often different in each person.

2. Cerebral Palsy (CP): Cerebral Palsy, or CP, is a group of disorders that primarily affects motor skills. People with cerebral palsy struggle to move and maintain balance and posture. It’s caused by damage to the developing brain, often before birth.

3. Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders (FASDs): These are a group of conditions that can occur in a person who was exposed to alcohol before birth. FASDs often lead to behavioral and learning problems, like poor hand-eye coordination, language and speech delays, and poor memory.

4. Down Syndrome: Down Syndrome is a genetic disorder caused by the presence of an extra chromosome. It affects brain and body development. Its severity may differ from person to person. People with Down Syndrome often have distinct facial appearances.

5. Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD): ADHD is a brain disorder, typically diagnosed in children first. It interferes with a child's ability to focus, remain still, or control impulsive behaviors. Children often have trouble focusing or remaining still at one time or another. However, children with ADHD do not just grow out of these habits. ADHD can lead to serious problems at school or home.

Challenges Faced by Individuals with Developmental Disabilities

Individuals with developmental disabilities face many challenges. The intellectual and behavioral limitations they have can lead to difficulties like:

1. Self-Care: They struggle with self-care. Things like getting dressed, eating, and personal hygiene may not come as easily to them as the rest of us. Cognitive or motor skill issues often lead to these challenges. Although behavioral therapy can help, it cannot cure a person with developmental disabilities. In some cases, people with such disabilities may require lifetime care or support.

2. Communication: Similarly, many people with developmental disabilities find it hard to communicate. They may struggle to express their feelings and thoughts, understand what others say, or interpret non-verbal cues. As a result, social interactions don't come naturally to people with developmental disabilities. That can lead to loneliness and frustration.

3. Learning: Learning can be particularly challenging for people with cognitive disabilities. They often have poor memory, lack of attention, and other cognitive limitations. However, many schools and non-profits now offer special learning programs for children with developmental disabilities.

4. Financial Independence: Financial independence is a distant dream for many people with developmental disabilities. Cognitive and physical limits often restrict them from finding or holding on to a job. They cannot often understand financial transactions, let alone planning.

5. Mobility: People with developmental disabilities like cerebral palsy face mobility challenges. It’s difficult for them to move around. However, power wheelchairs and other assistive technologies now provide support for individuals with physical disabilities. With wheelchairs and other tools, they can cook, clean, and even work. This freedom can help many people live a happy, independent, and fulfilling life.

Success Stories and Role Models

Although people with disabilities face many challenges, they continue to inspire us. Many have achieved great things, including financial and academic success. Here are a few success stories that’ll inspire you:

1. Stephen Hawking: This is a name you might have heard. Stephen Hawking, diagnosed with motor neuron disease, was one of the most renowned physicists. He was the director of research at the Centre for Theoretical Cosmology at the University of Cambridge. He authored many books, including the global bestseller ‘A Brief History of Time.’ He also published several research papers. His achievements continue to inspire many people.

2. Nick Vujicic: Born without limbs, Nick Vujicic faced immense challenges growing up. However, he managed to turn every single challenge into a source of strength. Today, he is one of the leading motivational speakers in the world. He has motivated millions around the world with his message of hope, faith, and determination.

3. John Nash: A Nobel Prize-winning mathematician, John Nash is known for his work in game theory. He was diagnosed with schizophrenia. However, despite his disability, he continued his work. He was the only person who was awarded both the Economic Sciences Prize and the Abel Prize.

4. Franklin Delano Roosevelt: Another famous name that you might've heard. As the 32nd President of the United States, Roosevelt led the country through the Great Depression and World War II. He was paralyzed from the waist down due to polio. Still, he remained a formidable leader who is remembered for his ethics and leadership in a challenging era.

How to Participate in Developmental Disabilities Awareness Month

All these success stories have one thing in common – support from family and friends. Social support helped Nash make the most out of his mathematical genius. It also helped Roosevelt implement New Deal policies that had a lasting impact. In short, offering support for individuals with disabilities helps them thrive.

Here’s how you can do that this Developmental Disabilities Awareness Month:

1. Spread Disability Awareness: You can start by spreading disability awareness. You can raise this awareness in many ways:

• Share information, stories, and facts about developmental disabilities.
• Engage in positive conversations.
• Show support for individuals with disabilities.
• Promote accessibility at home, schools, the local community, and your workplace.
• Participate in awareness campaigns to educate people about disabilities.
• Train your employees or colleagues to understand the challenges people with disabilities face.

2. Help in Celebrating Diversity: Celebrate diversity in your workplace, schools, or local community events. Celebrating diversity involves appreciating the contributions of people with disabilities. For example, you can encourage local schools or community centers to organize events focusing on the unique strengths of differently-abled people. It could be an art exhibit, a musical, or any other event.

3. Disability Rights: Advocacy for disabilities doesn't necessarily require full-on commitment. Not everyone can become a full-time activist. However, you can continue to advocate for disability rights through actions. For example, you can stop treating people with disabilities differently. See the person, not their disability. Get to know that person, their likes and dislikes, and become their friend.

But while doing so, keep the following in mind:

• Never assume that a disabled person needs your help.
• Always ask if they need your help first.
• Don't insist on helping.
• Look directly at the person when talking.
• Respect their rights in decision-making.

How Mobility Aids Are Helping People with Developmental Disabilities

People with disabilities rely on mobility aids like wheelchairs, scooters, and walkers. These tools offer independence, making it easier to go about their daily chores. For example, power wheelchairs, with their elevation and seat positioning features, provide you with access to different areas in your house or office. With the right wheelchair, you can cook, work, and even lead an active social life.

At Build My Wheelchair, we provide personalized mobility support for individuals with disabilities. Our Assistive Technology Professionals (ATPs) can help you find the mobility solutions that best fit your needs. We have a large selection of manual and power wheelchairs, scooters, and other mobility accessories.

Conclusion

As you can see, there are many developmental disabilities, and they impact many aspects of life. People with a disability often struggle to lead an independent and socially active life. However, disabilities never stop people from pursuing their dreams - discrimination, and lack of awareness are to be blamed for this. The only way to change this reality is to spread awareness, celebrate diversity, and support disability rights. Hopefully, this article will help you do just that.

And as far as mobility aids are concerned, we are here to help. Build My Wheelchair is the one-stop shop for all your mobility needs. Check out our website or call (844) 269-4335 now!