NYS Office for People With Developmental Disabilities’ Post

Pennsylvania's Governor Josh Shapiro proclaims March as Developmental Disabilities Awareness Month! WHEREAS, individuals with developmental disabilities come from diverse racial, ethnic, educational, social, religious, and economic backgrounds and are valued members of our Commonwealth who strive to enjoy an everyday life; and WHEREAS, Pennsylvanians with developmental disabilities and their families are working for equal inclusion, recognition, and appreciation of their skills, views, and abilities; and WHEREAS, our state focuses on person-centered approaches, community integration, personal choice, quality of service, health and safety protections, competitive employment, accountability in the use of resources, and innovation in service design; and WHEREAS, the rate of individuals with developmental disabilities enrolled for services engaging in integrated employment is 18% throughout our Commonwealth; and WHEREAS, educational opportunities for those with developmental disabilities continue to grow with the implementation of training programs and inclusive secondary education certificate programs at our institutions of higher learning; and WHEREAS, the collaboration between the Information Sharing and Advisory Committee and the Department of Human Services continues to develop, build, and strengthen recommendations for change to services and supports; and WHEREAS, the Department of Human Services continues to offer accessible training initiatives and services that allow individuals with developmental disabilities to increase their knowledge and participation in advocacy, support, and disability services; and WHEREAS, Pennsylvania continues to be at the forefront of change in building an inclusive Commonwealth where all citizens can live and work as part of inclusive communities. THEREFORE, I, Josh Shapiro, Governor of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, do hereby proclaim March 2024 as DEVELOPMENTAL DISABILITIES AWARENESS MONTH and encourage all Pennsylvanians to support individuals with developmental disabilities and their families through all aspects of our communities. GIVEN under my hand and the Seal of the Governor, at the City of Harrisburg, this sixteenth dayof February two thousand twenty-four, the year of the Commonwealth the two hundred forty-eighth. Governor Josh Shapiro #DDAM2024 #DevelopmentalDisabilitiesAwarenessMonth

This March, we honor the 37th Annual Developmental Disabilities Awareness Month. Enacted by President Reagan in 1987, this campaign shines a light on the importance of inclusion and empowerment for those with developmental disabilities. What are developmental disabilities? The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention defines Developmental Disabilities as⤵: “ a group of conditions due to an impairment in physical, learning, language, or behavior areas. These conditions begin during the developmental period, may impact day-to-day functioning, and usually last throughout a person’s lifetime.” 📈 The Bureau of Labor Statistics reported that in 2023, 22.5 percent of people with a disability were employed - marking a record high since 2008. These insights also shed light on the persistent gaps in workplace disability inclusion. 🔎 Despite the fact that 25% of employees globally identify as having a disability that limits life activities, most companies only have an estimated 4% to 7% of their workforce is comprised of disabled employees.(Boston Consulting Group (BCG). We need to foster workplaces where every individual has access to support and equal opportunities - Whether employees: 💭 Live with an undiagnosed disability 💜 Live with an invisible disability 🙅 Choose not to share/ disclose their diagnosis with their workplace 🤝 Care for loved ones and/or children with disabilities This commemoration does more than just raise awareness — it's a rallying call for inclusion, empowerment, and support within our workplaces and communities. Awareness is the first step, but real change requires action. Organizations must actively ensure their workplaces support and provide opportunities for employees and people with developmental disabilities. Together, we can build an environment that celebrates differences, nurtures potential, and advocates for the rights and inclusion of all people. ➡👨💻If you're a workplace leader interested in bringing further learning about disability and accommodations in the workplace, you'll want to explore the new Lunch and Learn sessions our subject matter experts have in store this month and beyond: https://bit.ly/43e419r Brooke Shapiro Puneet Singh Singhal Dmitri LaCour Jessica Quarello Taryn (Debold) Lagonigro Angela Schmitt Marina Misculin, Ed.M. Theodore Uram Azadeh Malekan Natalia Lyckowski Tucker Keatley, LCSW #WorkplaceInclusion #DevelopmentalDisabilitiesAwarenessMonth #DisabilityInclusion #DEI

Employment Service Providers- the Ontario Disability Employment Network (ODEN) host's their next Disability Awareness & Confidence Training (DACT), for Employment Service Providers on June 27th & 28th from 1 p.m. - 4 p.m. Two half-day, webinar-style sessions will prepare you to confidently support job seekers who have a disability and explain the benefits of inclusive hiring practices, dispel the misconceptions and myths, and equip you with the knowledge you need to be responsive to the needs of your job seekers who have a disability. Job Developers from outside of Ontario may also register for these sessions. Meet your peers from across Canada! Let's come together to discuss the best ways to support job seekers who have a disability and the businesses who hire them. A participant had this comment about the training: “One of the most significant takeaways from the (Disability Awareness and Confidence Training with ODEN) was the importance of empathy and understanding. Through the training, I learned to approach interactions with individuals with disabilities with sensitivity, respect, and a genuine desire to understand their unique needs and perspectives. Additionally, I gained valuable insights into practical strategies for fostering inclusivity and accessibility in various environments. Overall, the training deepened my appreciation for the diversity within the disability community and equipped me with the knowledge and skills necessary to effectively support and advocate for individuals with disabilities in both professional and personal settings.” Max. 10 people per session. Payment details and registration are at the link. https://lnkd.in/geQnpGXq

✴️ Let's celebrate Developmental Disabilities Awareness Month by promoting acceptance, inclusivity, and empowerment. Join us in wearing orange to show support and spread awareness! March is Developmental Disabilities Awareness Month, established in 1987, when President Ronald Reagan publicly urged Americans to provide individuals with developmental disabilities “the encouragement and opportunities they need to lead productive lives and to achieve their full potential.” Throughout this month, we have the opportunity to shine a light on the unique abilities and challenges faced by individuals with developmental disabilities, which encompasses a wide range of conditions that affect cognitive, physical, or behavioral abilities. These conditions may manifest early in life and can vary greatly in severity. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics’ 2023 data, • In 2023, 22.5 percent of people with a disability were employed, which is the highest recorded ratio since comparable data were first collected in 2008. • “For all age groups, the employment-population ratio was much lower for people with a disability than for those with no disability.” • “Unemployment rates were much higher for people with a disability than for those with no disability across all educational attainment groups.” • “Workers with a disability were nearly twice as likely to work part time as workers with no disability.” • “A larger share of people with a disability were self-employed than were those with no disability in 2023 (8.4 percent versus 5.9 percent).” Read more from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics’ at https://lnkd.in/gJUNwcN The National Association of Councils on Developmental Disabilities has also published a Resource Guide on Developmental Disabilities Awareness Month which can be found at https://nacdd.org/ddam1/. As a community, it's crucial that we foster inclusivity and support for individuals with developmental disabilities. By promoting acceptance and understanding, we can create environments that enable everyone to thrive and contribute their unique talents. According to the Nebraska Department of Health & Human Services, “Orange is the official color of Developmental Disabilities Awareness Month. The color symbolizes energy and positivity. Encourage your friends, families, and coworkers to wear orange to show your support and spread awareness.” #DevelopmentalDisabilitiesAwarenessMonth #Inclusion #Equality #Advocacy #Empowerment #DDAwareness2024 #DDAM #DDAM2024 #NewOpportunities #KRAatWork

“I get surveys all the time. Why should I take this one?” Well, each organization in the #Tennessee Developmental Disabilities (TNDD) Network is getting ready to write a new, five-year state plan. The TNDD Network organizations have never before come together for a single survey. This is your chance to tell the entire network about disability services and inclusion in your community. Help Shape the Work of the Tennessee Developmental Disabilities Network Over the Next 5 Years! TNDD Network - Disability Rights Tennessee, Tennessee Council on Developmental Disabilities, UTHSC Center on Developmental Disabilities, Vanderbilt Kennedy Center UCEDD #developmentaldisabilities #disability

"Disability doesn't mean inability" is a powerful reminder of the potential and resilience inherent in every individual. Throughout history, people with disabilities have defied expectations and achieved remarkable feats, proving that limitations are often more about societal perceptions than personal capabilities. 🌟A disability might present unique challenges, but it also fosters creativity, determination, and innovation. Think of individuals like #Stephen Hawking, who despite ALS, made groundbreaking contributions to theoretical physics, or #Helen Keller, who, despite being blind and deaf, became an influential author and advocate for disability rights. Their stories are not just about overcoming obstacles but also about redefining what's possible. 🌟Society's role is to support and empower individuals with disabilities, ensuring they have access to the same opportunities and resources as everyone else. This means creating inclusive environments, providing necessary accommodations, and recognizing and celebrating diverse abilities. 🌟Inspiration comes not from pity but from respect and recognition of the strength and ingenuity required to navigate a world not always designed with everyone in mind. By focusing on abilities rather than disabilities, we open doors to a richer, more inclusive world where everyone has the chance to shine. Be inspired Be encouraged Disability is not an inability #ExceptionalNurse

Collectively, we are rapidly approaching March Developmental Disabilities Awareness Month, and as such I've been thinking about what #MDDAM means to me, reflecting on my past experiences working with the Indiana Governor's Council for People With Disabilities, my experience in cross-disability advocacy with NC Department of Health and Human Services, and all of the intersectional experiences people with ID/DD, MH, SUD and TBI have in various life domains. This article came up on Indeed, and while I want to dive deeper into the links and data, my initial thoughts are that I'd like to see some directives for employers. The article offers job seekers with disabilities insights into how to disclose disabilities, researching employers with Employee Resources Groups, and ways to explain gaps in employment due to illness and "recovery." There is nothing wrong with any of those insights (acknowledging here that "recovery" often does not apply to the ID/DD community - more on that later). This article does approach disability employment from a social model of disability - again, there's nothing wrong with that, we're all in different places in our journey to make the world a better place for all people... and (because I like "and")...two things can be true at the same time. The article mentions the need for #Inclusion and #Belonging, concepts that many people with disabilities (myself included) have saught our entire lives. When articles address the job seeker with solutions to navigating a world caught between a medical model or disability ("fix the disability) and the social model of disability ("make adaptations for people with disabilities that they must adapt to"), the opportunity to move towards an affirmation model of disability is missed. Places of employment are both social and physical environments that contextually are "community." So to be inclusive and foster belonging, we must start from a place of inclusion, reflected in our actions, words, policies, and procedures. We have to call ourselves out, over and over and over again to unlearn the things that keep us fluctuating between medical and social models of disability, so that can move towards affirmation. We will know when we are on our way there when people with disabilities can and do show up in their workplaces and are seen as whole, as valuable employees and colleagues, whose lived experience adds to our work community. "Beloved community is formed not by the eradication of difference but by its affirmation, by each of us claiming the identities and cultural legacies that shape who we are and how we live in the world." bell hooks, Killing Rage: Ending Racism https://lnkd.in/gK58VkcJ

According to Disability Scoop, there has been a 1.2% increase from last year, with 22.5% of people with disabilities now employed in 2023. https://lnkd.in/g6TVNCnn While this progress is commendable and reflects the benefits of work-from-home opportunities, technology advancements, and workplace accommodations, it's important to acknowledge that 22.5% employment is still unacceptably lower than the employment rate for non-disabled people. Individuals with disabilities deserve better access to job training and employment opportunities that allow for fulfilled and independent lives. Although we celebrate this record high, much more can be done to help more people with disabilities find meaningful employment. Easterseals, is committed to improve access to employment, ensuring that every individual feels valued and respected. Easterseals Affiliates nationwide offer exceptional employment and job training programs, actively advancing disability employment. We must continue to advocate for inclusivity and equal employment opportunities for all. To learn more about Easterseals employment programs, you can find information here: https://lnkd.in/gNp5cGXb

March is not just about the blooming of flowers and the arrival of spring; it's also National Developmental Disabilities Awareness Month (D.D.A.M.), a time dedicated to spotlighting the inclusion of individuals with developmental disabilities. With 15% of the global population living with a disability, understanding and addressing the barriers they face in society is crucial. D.D.A.M. emphasizes equal opportunities for all, ensuring that everyone can participate in every aspect of life to the best of their abilities. However, achieving such inclusivity requires more than just awareness; it demands tangible changes in our communities, including how we plan and zone our neighborhoods. Across the United States, many cities and towns have tightly regulated their built environments, often restricting land development to single-family detached homes. While this zoning approach might seem innocuous, it has significant repercussions. By exclusively permitting single-family homes, communities inadvertently hinder alternative housing developments. These restrictions not only limit housing options but also contribute to the isolation of people with disabilities, preventing them from living independently and fully participating in their communities. This Developmental Disabilities Awareness Month, let's not only raise awareness but also take action to dismantle the barriers that prevent individuals with disabilities from fully participating in society. By advocating for inclusive zoning policies, we can create communities where everyone has the opportunity to thrive. 🏡💙 Follow the link below to read the full piece about the impact of single-family zoning. https://lnkd.in/dBSNZJAN #CIL #DDAM24 #CILDevelopsHomes #CILDevelopsCommunities #Community #AccessibleHousing #Relationships #Inclusion #RealEstateDevelopment #EndSingleFamilyZoning #InclusiveCommunities #DDAwarenessMonth

Check out this article about boosting employment for individuals with disabilities. Jobs can be hard for people with disabilities.