National Developmental Disabilities Awareness Month observed

For 31 years, March has been known as National Developmental Disabilities Awareness Month. When President Ronald Reagan signed the proclamation in 1987, the estimation of the number of individuals in the United States with developmental disabilities was four million.

Now it is estimated that there are more than 4.6 million individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities (I/DD) in the U.S. alone. Although great strides have been made in the 31 years, there is still much that can be done to create a culture that is more inclusive of individuals with I/DD.

Americans are becoming increasingly aware that such disabilities need not keep individuals from realizing their full potential in school, at work or at home, as members of their families and of their communities.

Not only are there many organizations such as The Arc, Easter Seals/United Cerebral Palsy, the Autism Society, etc. but individuals with I/DD themselves have become some of the strongest advocates over the years. Individuals with I/DD were instrumental in getting President Obama to sign Rosa's Law in 2010. This law eliminates outdated and derogatory terminology in federal legislation. This legislation was a result of the public campaign to end the use of the "r" word which eliminates the use of the term "retarded" and other derogatory terms at the federal level and discourage the use by the public at large.

Rosa's Law and other legislation have helped change the attitudes about individuals with I/DD.

With the passing of legislation such as the Americans with Disabilities Act in 1990 and the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act in 2004, the expectations of young people with developmental disabilities and their parents began to shift.

Productive, self-directed lives within the community increasingly became an obtainable goal.

At the same time, due to improvements in healthcare, people with developmental disabilities were living longer, leading to questions about the lifestyle of "retirement-age" individuals. The national conversation began to address the full spectrum of services needed for people with disabilities to live secure, fulfilling lives.

Developmental Disabilities according to Public Law 106-402 means a severe, chronic disability that is attributed to mental or physical impairments that occur prior to the age of 22 and are likely to continue indefinitely and result in substantial functional limitations in three or more major life activities.

These major life activities are self-care, receptive and expressive language, learning, mobility, self-direction, capability for independent living, economic self-sufficiency and that reflects a need for a combination of services and individualized supports or other forms of assistance that are lifelong.

Developmental disabilities can include intellectual disabilities (generally thought to be present if an individual has an IQ test score of approximately 70 or below) as well as cerebral palsy, autism, autism spectrum disorders, epilepsy, developmental delay, fetal alcohol syndrome and many other syndromes and neurological conditions that can result in the impairment of general intellectual functioning or adaptive behavior similar to that of a person with intellectual disabilities.

The effects of these disabilities vary considerably among people who have them just as abilities vary considerably with all people.

As adults, many people, particularly those with only an intellectual disability, may be able to lead independent lives in the community without paid supports. A percentage of individuals will also have very significant disabilities that will require constant care and support.

The middle group can be successful with supports that encourage as much independence as an individual is capable of achieving in their every-day life.

In North Carolina, children in the school system have access to educational supports through their individualized habilitation plan. Adults with I/DD do not have an entitlement in the current system. Individuals who want support services must apply through their Managed Care Organization. In the seven western counties this is through Vaya Health, formerly Smoky Mountain Center. Supports are then provided according to each person's individual service plan.

For additional information on Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities you can visit the following websites: The Arc of North Carolina (www.arcnc.org), The Autism Society (www.autismsociety-nc.org), Easter Seals/United Cerebral Palsy (www.nc.eastersealsucp.com), American Association on Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities (www.aaidd.org).

For information on potential grant funding to support services and programs for individuals with disabilities contact the Evergreen Foundation at www.evergreenfoundationnc.org.

The mission of the Evergreen Foundation is to improve access to and public awareness of quality prevention, treatment and support services by the provider community to individuals and families with intellectual/developmental disabilities, behavioral health and/or substance abuse needs in Jackson, Cherokee, Clay, Graham, Haywood, Macon and Swain counties.