Developmental Disabilities Awareness Month
In 1987, President Ronald Reagan declared the month of March as Developmental Disabilities Awareness Month making 2022 the 35th anniversary.
This is a time for us to raise awareness about the inclusion of people with developmental disabilities in all areas of community life, as well as awareness to the barriers that people with disabilities still sometimes face in connecting to the town in which they live.
This month reminds us that we’re all part of a broad spectrum of intellectual and physical functioning. It is a chance to be more empathetic and to remind ourselves of the challenges we face in our own lives.
This month in Knox, we were able to celebrate by going to the city council meetings for Mount Vernon, Fredericktown, Centerburg, Gambier and Danville to do a Proclamation declaring this month as Developmental Disabilities Awareness Month.
We also were able to do our annual Coloring and Essay contest with the local elementary schools in Knox County. To check out more photos, please check out our other blog post HERE.
Paragraphs Bookstore read four different books to the preschool classrooms at Head Start on March 15th. Christy came and read "Strictly No Elephants," "You Are Enough," "When Charley Met Emma," and "My City Speaks" to the children and they absolutely loved the books!
The Centerburg Library and the Public Library of Mount Vernon and Knox County developed some wonderful programs and displays to celebrate DD Month as well! The Public Library of Mount Vernon and Knox County did virtual story times weekly during the month to ensure any child could participate if they wanted to.
We were also able to host a small, scaled down version of our annual Luncheon where we were able to give out awards to 6 different people for their dedication, determination and willingness to make Knox County a wonderful place for everyone to live, work and thrive.
Dedication Award: Allyn Frye & Sally Myers (Gantt Homes)
Local Hero Award: Anna Frazier (Independent Provider)
Community Partner: Dr. Amy Teleron-Khorshad, American Health Network
Employer Award: Ajodhya Dining Concepts (Half Baked Café, Georgetown Caribbean BBQ, Cindy’s Pierogis)
Individual Spotlight: Meralyse Dessert & Ben Frazier
Blake B. and Mayor Mazzari of Danville
Mayor Sands of Centerburg reading our DD Month Proclamation
Harper J., her mom and the city council of Gambier, OH.
Brad P. with the Village of Fredericktown city council
2022 Coloring Contest Winners: (left to right) Olivia, Charlotte, Kenzie, Bailey, Brice, Riley, Gianna, Alaina, Jacob, Paxton
2022 Essay Contest Winners: (left to right) Hallie, Carolyn, Reagan, Jesse, Aiden, Emma, Owen, Graceon, Hailey, Hadlie, Hadley
