Every March, the National Association of Councils on Developmental Disabilities (NACDD) and its partners collaborate to lead Developmental Disabilities Awareness Month (DDAM). The annual campaign highlights how people with and without disabilities come together to form strong communities. DDAM raises awareness of the inclusion and contributions of people with developmental disabilities (DD) in all aspects of community life and serves as a time to explore the work still needed to remove barriers.
NACDD's 2024 theme, A World of Opportunities, focuses on people working together to remove obstacles to building communities where everyone can do well and succeed. This year's DDAM poster features artwork by Lee Waters. NACDD encourages others to use the image in their own branding and materials.
Related ACL Work
- State Councils on Developmental Disabilities (DD Councils) identify the most pressing needs of people with DD in their states/territories and work to address them through advocacy, systems change, and capacity-building efforts that promote self-determination, integration, and inclusion. DD Council fact sheet
- University Centers for Excellence in DD Education, Research & Service (UCEDDs) are a nationwide network of independent but interlinked centers that address issues, find solutions, and advance research. UCEDD fact sheet
- State Protection & Advocacy Systems (P&As) help people navigate the legal system to achieve resolution and encourage systems change, ensuring they can exercise their rights to make choices, contribute to society, and live independently.
- Projects of National Significance (PNS) focus on the most pressing issues affecting individuals with DD and their families, creating and enhancing opportunities for people to contribute to and participate in all areas of community life.
- Independent Living Programs, including Centers for Independent Living (CILs), work to support community living by providing resources and supports that promote inclusion, integration, equal opportunities, and self-determination. CIL fact sheet
From the ACL Blog
A World of Opportunities: Bridging I/DD and Mental Health Systems through The Link Center | March 28, 2024
A World of Opportunities: Creating Inclusive Communities by Alison Barkoff | March 1, 2024
A World of Opportunities: Promoting Augmentative and Alternative Communication by Jennifer Johnson | March 12, 2024
A Data-Driven World of Opportunities
For almost 40 years, three ACL-funded longitudinal data projects have collected information about the services provided to people with I/DD — national data used to identify specific areas of need, helping policymakers and other stakeholders make educated decisions. Over several decades, our grantees have worked to make the data more understandable and usable for people with I/DD, their families, and the public. This year, they published critical information that helps to tell the story of progress on home and community-based services that support individuals with I/DD living, working, and fully participating in their communities.
Check out the “5 Questions”
- Residential Information Systems Project, Institute on Community Integration (UMN)
- StateData, Institute for Community Inclusion (UMass Boston)
- State of the States in I/DD, Life Span Institute (KU)
Select Events
Webinar: Strategies to Support People with Developmental Disabilities and Brain Injury to Achieve Employment Goals Through Small Business Ownership
Hosted by ACL's Disability Employment Technical Assistance Center (DETAC)
March 12, 2024 | Watch the webinar | View the webinar slides
Recommended Hashtags
#DDawareness2024 (NACDD full tag)
#DDAM2024 (NACDD short tag)
#AWorldofOpportunities (NACDD campaign tag)
#DevelopmentalDisabilities (tag to reach a wider audience)
Join the conversation on X: Follow @ACLgov and @NACDD.
Social Media Graphics
Below are two feed-friendly images in addition to the NACDD graphics available here in Arabic, Cantonese, English, French, Italian, Japanese, and Spanish.
