Celebrating Developmental Disabilities Awareness Month

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March is Developmental Disabilities Awareness Month, a chance to celebrate the over 6 million individuals in the United States that have a developmental disability. We are celebrating the developmental disability community this month, and every month. Disability Rights California has long advocacted for people with developmental disabilities and will continue to do so.

We encourage everyone to recognize and continue to push for equal rights for persons with developmental disabilities. Persons with developmental disabilities should be able to have the opportunity to obtain meaningful work at a competitive wage, have access to health care, and challenge any civil rights violations that they face. They also deserve access to Regional Center services that reflect their needs, choices, and cultural values. Also, they should not be forced into institutions and be able to participate in making decisions about their own lives. #CaliforniaForAll

DRC’s Office of Clients’ Rights Advocacy Success Story Mario Awarded Additional Respite Hours

Mario was only getting 20 respite hours per month when his mother contacted DRC’s Office of Clients’ Rights Advocacy.

Mario was doing distance learning at home because of school closures resulting from the pandemic, and only getting twenty hours of respite a month.

The shelter-in-place orders were taking a toll on Mario’s mother who supported all Mario’s distance learning on top of caring for his younger sister. Mario’s mother initially tried to negotiate with Mario’s service coordinator, but agreed to meet with her supervisor instead.

OCRA gave Mario’s mother advice about how to discuss Mario’s needs, her right to request the additional respite, and self-help resources.Mario’s mother then successfully advocated for Mario’s needs and received 102 total hours of respite - 50 regular respite hours and 52 COVID respite hours.

Read more about our Office of Clients’ Rights: https://www.disabilityrightsca.org/what-we-do/programs/office-of-clients-rights-advocacy-ocra

How to get involved

Get social

Share your support on social media and use the hashtags #DDAwareness2021 #InclusionMatters #ChooseToInclude to share what #DevelopmentalDisabilities means to you. Tag us so we can share!

Facebook: @DisabilityRightsCalifornia
Instagram: @disabilityrightsca
Twitter: @DisabilityCA
LinkedIn: disability-rights-california

Virtual events

• March 15, 2021: Developmental Disabilities Public Policy Conference
• March 21, 2021: World Down Syndrome Day

For allies

“Above all, if you find yourself assuming that your views on disability issues are more valid and important than those of disabled people – and you think it’s your job to set them right – it’s time to stop and rethink. “ - Andrew Pulrang

• Read more from Forbes

For employers

• Support employment for people with disabilities: 5 inclusive hiring tips

To learn more read our
self-advocacy resources:

• How to Respond to Common Reasons for Denying SLS and What to ask Protentional SLS Agencies
  This publication describes what Supported Living Services are available and frequently asked questions regarding the process.
• Coronavirus (COVID-19)- Rights of People with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities Who Live on Their Own or With Family
• Funding Assistive Technology through the Regional Center
  This publication discusses regional center clients’ rights to get assistive technology.
• Your Rights to Receive Information and Services in Your Native Language rom the Regional Center for Individuals Who Are 3 Years and Older
  This publication tells you how to get paperwork and services from the regional center in your native language. It tells you about this when you or your child is over age three. It tells you what to do if you do not agree with a regional center decision.
• Regional Center Eligibility Hearing Packet
• Sample Letter Requesting Information in My Native Language