Schedule of Activities Announced for 2019 Developmental Disabilities Awareness Month

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

February 11, 2019

The Guam Developmental Disabilities Council (GDDC) today announced the schedule of activities for Developmental Disabilities Awareness Month, which will be observed in March. This year’s theme is “Diversity, Acceptance, and Inclusion for All.” In 1987, President Ronald Reagan issued a public proclamation that the month of March would be recognized as Developmental Disabilities Awareness Month to “increase public awareness of the needs and potential of Americans with disabilities.” Developmental disabilities are impairments in physical, learning, language, and behavior areas.

“Every day, individuals with developmental disabilities make invaluable contributions to our island and continue to demonstrate that they are productive members of society, and we want to recognize those achievements,” said Jermaine Alerta, Executive Director of the GDDC. “While acknowledging that progress has been made toward providing a better quality of life for the developmental disability population in Guam, we also want to shed light on the deficiencies in services. Working with our public and private partners, we have planned activities which will allow the people of Guam to further educate themselves about some of the issues individuals with developmental disabilities and their families must face on a daily basis, and the work currently being done to improve and expand services.”

A proclamation signing from the Office of the Governor and a resolution presentation from the 35^th Guam Legislature will take place on Wednesday, February 27, 2019, 12:30 p.m. at the Guam Congress Building, to officially kick-off Developmental Disabilities Awareness Month. Additionally, the GDDC, along with many local community partners including the University of Guam Center for Excellence in Developmental Disabilities Education, Research and Service (Guam CEDDERS); Guam System for Assistive Technology (GSAT); Guam Legal Services Corporation – Disability Law Center (GLSC); Parents Empowering Parents, Inc.; Guma’ Mami, Inc.; and Humanities Guåhan will host various events and activities throughout the month. These will include conferences, workshops, trainings, exhibitions, meetings, the GSAT Fair, and the GDDC general membership meeting. The public is invited to attend the events; however, several events will require early registration or may have a fee.

“Aligned with this year’s theme, DD Awareness Month reminds us that, while Guam is a diverse place, we must continue to foster a more accepting and inclusive community for everyone,” said Alerta. “And, although the services available for individuals with developmental disabilities and their families have come a long way in both quality and quantity, there is still so much more that needs to be done to ensure that greater opportunities in life are available for all.”

Attached are the Developmental Disabilities Awareness Month flyer and schedule of activities. For additional information, please contact the Guam Developmental Disabilities Council at 735-9127 or e-mail xxxxxx@gddc.guam.gov.