Governor Proclaims Developmental Disabilities Awareness Month

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

WHEREAS, almost 200,000 people with intellectual and other developmental disabilities live across all 100 counties in North Carolina; 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 promises 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 and equal access to fully integrated competitive employment, 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, and other state agencies, businesses, organizations, and individuals 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, 2024, as “DEVELOPMENTAL DISABILITIES AWARENESS MONTH” in North Carolina, and commend its observance to all citizens.