Governor Proclaims Development Disabilities Awareness Month 2023

WHEREAS, Public Law 99–483, enacted by Congress in 1987, designated the month of March as National Developmental Disabilities Awareness Month; and

WHEREAS, North Carolina is home to almost 200,000 people with intellectual and other developmental disabilities throughout all its 100 counties; and

WHEREAS, it is the responsibility of all North Carolinians to recognize and acknowledge that it is not disability, but unjust societal barriers and attitudes that can keep individuals from realizing their full potential at school, work, home, and/or in their communities; and

WHEREAS, all North Carolinians can contribute to improving the lives of people with developmental disabilities by becoming advocates and supporters of their increased independence, capacity, and leadership; and

WHEREAS, expecting and enabling people with developmental disabilities to function independently and productively within our societal and economic structures can strengthen our state in all areas, including public and private sectors; and

WHEREAS, to fulfill the promise of the Americans with Disabilities Act and Executive Order No. 92, Employment First for North Carolinians with Disabilities, we reaffirm our commitment to full community participation for individuals with developmental disabilities by expanding opportunities for competitive employment and providing equal access to integrated education, housing, health care, and civic engagement; and

WHEREAS, the State of North Carolina commends the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services, the North Carolina Council on Developmental Disabilities, other state agencies, businesses, organizations, and individuals throughout our state working to improve the lives of people with developmental disabilities and their families through advocacy, capacity building, and systems change;

NOW, THEREFORE, I, ROY COOPER, Governor of the State of North Carolina, do hereby proclaim March, 2023, as “DEVELOPMENTAL DISABILITIES AWARENESS MONTH” in North Carolina, and commend its observance to all citizens.