DEVELOPMENTAL DISABILITY MONTH
The month of March has been declared as the ‘ Developmental Disability Month ‘ by Ronald Reagan, the 40th President of the United States in the year 1987. This campaign strives to empower an individual with developmental disabilities to encourage and provide them opportunities to the forefront to bring out their highest potential to live an efficient life. Developmental disabilities begin during the developmental period which usually lasts throughout the lifetime. According to the March of Dimes (MOD) global report on birth defects 7.9 million births (6% of total births) occur annually worldwide with serious birth defects. Although some congenital deficiency can be controlled and treated, an estimated 3.2 million of these children are disabled for life. Of these, Intellectual disability is said to be the most common developmental disability, followed by cerebral palsy and autism spectrum disorder.
This campaign seeks to spread awareness about the developmental disability in all community areas as well as the obstacles and negative attitude towards them by the non-disabled persons which are still prevalent in the society today. The tag ‘ disability ‘ usually arouses the feeling of inferiority complex, a feeling of rejection and alien from other beings. We also commonly encounter, how they are being stereotyped, mocked for being different and this discrimination results in adverse effects on their well-being. Mockery of disability should be extinct!
Such discrimination imposed on an individual with developmental disabilities should come to an end. Every individual– regardless of cognitive or myriad disabilities lives matter, as much as non-disabled individual lives does. And the first steps towards helping them is by starting right in our communities, by stimulating their confidence as they tend to suffer from lack of self – esteem. To motivate and strive towards fulfilling their potential with utmost dedication, to be cautious to their thoughts, feelings, desires and their overall well-being.
Thus, the Developmental Disabilities Awareness Month shines a spotlight on the disabled community and demonstrates how people with developmental disabilities live normal lives. It also provides awareness to the society to normalize disabilities. Hence, It is imperative that every individual be compassionate towards one another regardless of disabilities and restrain oneself from stereotypes, discriminations of all kinds.
– Sorhun Khing
Psychology Department
BA 2nd Semester
DEVELOPMENTAL DISABILITY AWARENESS
Developmental disability is something everyone heard and saw yet never pondered much. Developmental disability is a diverse group of chronic conditions due to mental or physical impairments that arise before adulthood. These conditions begin during the developmental age.
This may affect the day -to- day function of a person. Developmental disability is not limited to any race, colour, caste or age. Developmental disability is not something that should be felt ashamed but it should be a strength. According to the centers of disease control and prevention, approximately one in six children are affected.
Developmental disability may begin anytime during the developmental period and usually last throughout a person’s lifetime.
Some of the most common developmental disabilities are intellectual disability, cerebral palsy, autism spectrum disorder.
Seeing the need to reach out to people with Developmental Disability, in 1987, president Ronald Reagan recognised March as the Developmental Disabilities Awareness Month to increase public awareness.
One may ask “How is the developmental Disability month held or promoted.” It is celebrated by wearing the official ribbon or clothing with the colors yellow and blue, writing articles, essay in different journals, talking about it on a radio station, planning a training session to educate others about appropriate ways to interact with people with disabilities, start a discussion group to have open communication with the community and family members, organisation of different shows in aid of fundraise to help people with developmental Disability, talking about it amongst different groups of people to encourage acceptance among people with disabilities, or by making posters and also visiting the schools for developmental disabled people.
As these have been introduced the stereotype in society has gradually decreased. People learn that everyone is equal and that developmental Disability is not a issue that should lead to discrimination.
As an individual we can do our part in small steps as in , if you have a close one with developmental Disability you can provide them with basic care such as dressing, bathing, feeding, giving medicine, providing emotional support and more. We must never let them feel like they are different. We must treat them the same as everyone. A quarter century after the establishment of Developmental Disabilities Awareness Month, the world has changed in many ways, much though, remains to challenge us. In the coming years, we’ll need to fight not only for more advances but to retain the accomplishments of past decades. It is a fight in which we must all engage.
– Arenlila Jamir
Psychology Department
2nd Semester