March is Developmental Disabilities Awareness Month
Published on March 10, 2026
Tompkins County Whole Health (TCWH), with our partners serving on our Community Services Board Developmental Disabilities Subcommittee, would like to share with the community that March is National Developmental Disabilities Awareness Month.
In 1987, President Ronald Reagan made a historic contribution to disability rights by proclaiming March as National Developmental Disabilities Awareness Month, a time dedicated to increasing understanding, acceptance, and support for individuals with developmental disabilities, while emphasizing that awareness should be a year-round commitment. The initiative promotes inclusion in education, employment, recreation, and civic life, ensuring that people with developmental disabilities can fully participate in their communities. Awareness efforts aim to challenge societal barriers, reduce stigma, and celebrate the talents and achievements of individuals with developmental disabilities.
This month and beyond, we encourage all of Tompkins County to be more inclusive of people with developmental and intellectual disabilities. The following list of inclusion strategies has been modified from United Cerebral Palsy by local Advocacy Specialist Jeff Boles (Finger Lakes Independence Center).
10 Ways to Be More Inclusive of People with Developmental and Intellectual Disabilities
1. Educate Yourself and Others
The first step toward inclusion is education. Learn about developmental and intellectual disabilities and the many valuable abilities people with intellectual and developmental disabilities bring to the table. Share this knowledge with your peers, family, and employer. It will help to dispel harmful stereotypes and work toward ending discrimination against people with developmental and intellectual disabilities.
2. Don’t Assume What Is or Isn’t Possible
People with disabilities are highly diverse, representing a variety of cultures and backgrounds and may live with a physical, cognitive, or other type of disability that has varying effects on their daily life. But that doesn’t mean they don’t have skills and talents they can offer their community.
It’s ignorant to assume what someone else’s capabilities are. For example, someone who has cerebral palsy may have a speech impairment but has great intellect and a talent for written communication.
Each person is unique – get to know them and learn about who they are and what their goals are.
3. Use Person-First Language
Language shapes perceptions. When in doubt, always use person-first language, such as “a person with a disability” instead of “a disabled person.” This emphasizes the individual’s humanity over their disability and promotes respect and dignity.
4. Promote Accessible Public Spaces
Accessibility is key to creating an inclusive society. Ensure public spaces, businesses, and transportation systems are designed with people of all abilities in mind. This includes installing ramps, providing braille signage, and ensuring restrooms are accessible.
5. Advocate for Inclusive Education
Inclusive education allows children with developmental and intellectual disabilities to learn alongside their peers without disabilities. Encourage schools and educational institutions to provide the necessary resources, training, and support for students with developmental and intellectual disabilities to thrive.
6. Create Employment Opportunities
People with developmental and intellectual disabilities can bring valuable skills to the workplace. Employers should offer training programs, provide reasonable accommodations, and create work environments where people with disabilities feel respected and supported. Inclusive employment benefits both the individual and the company.
7. Encourage Social Interaction and Participation
Social isolation is a common challenge for people with developmental and intellectual disabilities. Creating opportunities for social interaction, such as through community events, sports teams, or art programs, helps individuals with developmental and intellectual disabilities feel more connected and valued in society.
8. Seek Input from People with Developmental and Intellectual Disabilities
This one can’t be more straightforward: The best way to create an inclusive environment for people with developmental and intellectual disabilities is to get their input. Ask them how they would like their situation to be addressed—if at all—and what accommodations they might need. Foster an environment of inclusivity by asking employees with disabilities how they feel the organization is promoting accessibility and inclusion and be prepared to take steps to make improvements.
While it’s important to recognize the value of inclusion, we also need to ensure that people at all levels of an organization are doing the same. Of course, in order to adopt these behaviors, we must be willing to accept that our biases may play a role in our perceptions and relationships. Inclusivity training is essential for all staff to promote a truly inclusive workplace setting.
9. Donate to Nonprofits That Empower People with Developmental and Intellectual Disabilities
One of the most impactful ways to promote inclusivity is by supporting nonprofits that empower people with developmental and intellectual disabilities to live more independent and socially integrated lives. These organizations provide crucial services, such as vocational training, housing assistance, and social programs. Many offer helpful resources to families and caregivers as well. See reference list below for more information.
10. Volunteer in Your Community
The best way to promote inclusivity is to get involved! There are a wide range of options that will help individuals with developmental and intellectual disabilities and promote a more equitable world. See reference list below for more information.
Join the TC Community Services Board’s Developmental Disabilities Subcommittee
The TC Community Services Board develops and approves the local services plan for mental hygiene services and advocates for services in Tompkins County. The CSB has three separate subcommittees (Developmental Disabilities, Mental Health, and Substance Use), which are responsible for program planning by identifying areas of strength and need in the community. Their recommendations are taken to the Community Services Board for its consideration.
The Developmental Disabilities Subcommittee is currently seeking to fill a vacancy.
Deputy Commissioner of Mental Health Harmony Ayers-Friedlander, stated, “Participation on the Community Services Board or one of its subcommittees is a great opportunity to gain professional experience, expand your knowledge of local services and policies, and play an important role in the decision-making process of local mental health services. If you have a focused interest in developmental disabilities, we invite you to apply to join our subcommittee. We are particularly interested in applications from people who have lived experience of these topics, as well as professionals or interested community members looking to make positive impacts in local services.”
Chair of the Community Services Board, Mary Hutchens, stated, “As a member of the Subcommittee your experience and perspective is invaluable and leads us to better understand what is missing and needed in our community.”
Applicants must complete an Advisory Board Application form to indicate interest in serving on a CSB Subcommittee. The form may be obtained from the County Legislature office, located at the Governor Daniel D. Tompkins Building (Old Court House), 121 E. Court Street, Ithaca. The entrance is on the Dewitt Park side of the building. The application form is also available for download. Please call the County Legislature office with any questions at: (607) 274-5434.
For more information about Advisory Boards, visit: https://www.tompkinscountyny.gov/Government-Resources/County-Legislature/Advisory-Boards
After the application is submitted, candidates may be interviewed prior to recommendation, and they must be approved by both the CSB and the County Legislature. Minorities, women, individuals with disabilities, and veterans are strongly encouraged to apply.
For more information on the CSB, please contact Harmony Ayers-Friedlander: hayers@tompkins-co.org.
Additional Local Resources
If you would like to learn more about inclusion best practices or other available services, please reach out to Finger Lakes Independence Center, 607-272-2433.
To learn more about local programs that support those with disabilities, call 2-1-1 (1-877-211-8667) or go to: https://hsctc.org/211-services-directory/.
If you are a parent or caregiver of a child from birth to age 5 with a developmental disability and would like to learn more about Early Intervention Services that may be available, contact Tompkins County Whole Health’s Children with Special Care Needs Division, 607-274-6644.
Additional local reference points can be found in a recent article by Tompkins Weekly, Developmental Disabilities Awareness Month highlights ongoing barriers for services in Tompkins County (3/3/26).
Tompkins County Whole Health: envisioning a future where every person in Tompkins County can achieve wellness. Find us online at: https://www.tompkinscountyny.gov/health and follow us on Facebook, Instagram or X. Sign up to receive Whole Health updates or other county announcements via email or text.
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