Every person has hopes and dreams. People with developmental disabilities are no different. The month of March has been designated as National Developmental Disabilities Awareness Month to help educate the community about how people with developmental disabilities such as mental retardation, cerebral palsy, epilepsy, and autism can be vital members of our communities, improving the quality of life for all of us. Historically, people with developmental disabilities, as well as people from other diverse groups, have not felt fully included in their community. Through the hard work of local and state advocacy initiatives, people with developmental disabilities are becoming included members of the community. There are measures we can take to further assist inclusion efforts and help recognize the contributions, abilities, and diversity people with a disability bring to the community.
Positive changes are facilitated by heightening the awareness of barriers to community participation. One barrier that challenges people with disabilities is a feeling of being devalued. This may result when the focus is on the disability rather than being viewed as a person first, who also happens to have a disability. It is difficult to fully contribute to your community when you feel your voice is diminished due to the stigma associated with having a disability. Having a disability is not all that a person is, just one aspect of who they are.
Another barrier to community acceptance and inclusion are attitudes that are formed due to lack of experience or exposure to people with disabilities. When we are unfamiliar with persons who have disabilities we may be unsure how to handle our differences. It can be awkward wondering if the person needs assistance or would like to accomplish a task on their own. When we feel uncomfortable it may be easier for us to shy away from a person with a disability. For the individual, this can lead to feelings of isolation and exclusion. It is important to be respectful and ask if the person needs assistance. The best way to break down this barrier is for people from different backgrounds to work and play together, strengthening relationships and demonstrating the commonalities that we have, rather than emphasizing our differences. The more that we get to know each other we will discover our shared interests, hopes and dreams for the future.
To facilitate the inclusion of people with developmental disabilities a number of initiatives have been created. For example, each election year our local RICC (Regional Interagency Consumer Committee) a grassroots group of people with developmental disabilities and their advocates sponsor a legislative breakfast. Also, Michigan has formed The Michigan Developmental Disabilities Council. These groups give candidates and other interested parties an opportunity to discuss related issues and to hear concerns from people with disabilities, family members and advocates.
The possibilities for people with developmental disabilities have greatly increased. Many individuals have moved from institutional living, to group homes, to living in their own homes. People with disabilities have jobs, pay taxes, vote and contribute to the community. However, there are still struggles such as finding adequate transportation and housing, as well as having limited resources for social and recreational activities. We can continue to assist our neighbors, co-workers and friends with disabilities to be fully included through encouragement and acceptance of our differences.
We are all people first, regardless of our background, religion, ethnic origin or disability. Living in an inclusive community where we all share and learn from each other provides all of us with a fuller, richer life. For more information about developmental disabilities or ways you can assist with community inclusion contact Gratiot County Community Mental Health at 989-463-4100.