Dear Colleagues,
March is Developmental Disabilities Awareness Month and The Arc of New Jersey has assembled on its website valuable materials to educate others about the contributions citizens with developmental/intellectual disabilities make to society.
The Arc’s Developmental Disability Awareness Family Ambassador Kit is available right now to download and put to good use.
For young children there’s an 11-page coloring book that depicts children and adults with developmental disabilities playing basketball, working on the computer, riding a bicycle, and more.
Students in grades 3 through 8 can design a bulletin board in their school that reflects this year’s awareness theme – “Don’t DIS My Ability; look at what I can do!” – and promotes acceptance of all people, regardless of a person’s level of ability or challenge.
There are eight different awareness posters you can download and display in your office or on the company or school bulletin board. You’ll also find sample letters you can send to newspapers, local officials, clergy, and businesses promoting the contributions of citizens with developmental disabilities.
Whatever you choose to do to increase awareness of development disabilities, be sure to start by reviewing the The Arc’s important awareness resources. Please visit:
http://www.arcnj.org/news_events/dd_awareness/families.html
Warm regards,
Allison
Allison Blake, PhD LSW
Commissioner
NJ Department of Children and Families