"My body makes me disabled.
Society makes me handicapped."

Developmental disabilities are a diverse group of physical, cognitive, psychological, sensory, and speech impairments that begin anytime during development up to 18 years of age. In most instances, the cause of the disability is not known. That's why it's important to understand what factors increase the chance that a child will have a developmental disability and what can be done to prevent the condition.

Did You Know

• About 17% of U.S. children under 18 years of age have a developmental disability.
• Approximately 2% of school-aged children in the U.S. have a serious developmental disability, such as mental retardation or cerebral palsy, and need special education services or supportive care.
• State and federal education departments spend about $36 billion each year on special education programs for individuals with developmental disabilities who are 3-21 years old.

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A New Perspective

People with developmental disabilities such as mental retardation, cerebral palsy, autism, and epilepsy are each different from one another, even if they share the same medical diagnosis. Why? Because every person ever born is different from everyone else! It’s as incorrect to generalize about the child who is mentally retarded" or autistic as it is to assume that people with brown eyes or Canadian grandfathers are all alike.

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A New Vision

People with developmental disabilities have special needs, but their basic needs are the same as everyone else’s. They enjoy having a real home, learning useful, relevant skills; working; and developing and sustaining relationships with people they care about and who care about them. Changing our attitudes means opening the door to understanding – understanding that people with developmental disabilities are often more handicapped by our attitudes than by their disabilities.

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A New Way of Thinking

When you think about people with developmental disabilities, think of them first as PEOPLE. They share our common humanity and like us, are mortal. Think about their needs to:

• Experience love and friendship
• Be respected and treated with dignity
• Have a decent and appropriate place to live
• Develop skills that enable them to participate as much as they are able in the life of their community
• Have the opportunity to continue learning throughout their lives
• Access information and opportunities that will allow them to make choices and exercise their rights.
• Engage in meaningful, contributing employment as a part of their lives
• Take risks and make mistakes

Sound familiar!!!!!!!!! Of course it does!
That's what we all want for ourselves!

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Connecting as Friends

We all need friends. Most of us learned this when we played on our school playgrounds during recess. As adults, we enjoy getting together with our friends and families.

People with developmental disabilities need companionship, too. Although California law guarantees them "social interaction, participation in community affairs, and freedom from isolation," who can guarantee friendship? If you have ever lost a close friend, you will remember the painful emptiness. People with developmental disabilities are wounded by social isolation even more than we may be, because they often experience it daily.

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Connecting as Co-Workers

Many people with developmental disabilities can obtain and retain jobs, though some will need more support than others. California, like other states, has a variety of vocational training and employment programs. Terms you may hear are sheltered workshops, supported employment, or enclaves. These terms describe the different types of employment opportunities. Trained staff, known as job coaches, provide support. The workers enjoy their jobs and the social interaction of the workplace. They love being paid for their work – it proves that they are productive citizens.

Employees with disabled colleagues often say how pleasantly surprised they are by their coworkers’ capabilities, how well they fit in with the group, and how proud they are of their successes. Yes, it takes a little extra time – a little extra imagination – and a little extra understanding. The reward is in the bottom line: people with disabilities can be diligent and capable workers.

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Connecting as Neighbors

Most of us live in towns or cities where diversity is already the norm. We are a blend of old and young, many kinds of income, abilities, backgrounds, races, and ethnicity’s. If people now living in state facilities or at home with their families were to move into a home or apartment in your neighborhood, would you notice? Yes, but less than you might think.

Experiences in California and elsewhere have shown that people with developmental disabilities who live in the community make excellent neighbors. They are usually quiet and their homes are well-maintained. They keep busy during the day. Young children attend special programs; school-aged youngsters go to school and many adults are either employed or in vocational programs to prepare for jobs. Others may be enrolled at day centers away from home. They are learning how to use public transportation, manage money, take care of themselves, and communicate.

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What Can You Do?

• Never ignore someone who is disabled.
• Do not pretend that the person is not there!
• Meet people who are disabled.
• Visit an organization in your community that provides services to people with developmental disabilities.
• You can become a board member, work on special events, or spend a few hours a month helping in a variety of capacities.
• Volunteer
• Donate
  

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