Disability Awareness Month

Photo Credits: Familycaregiversonline

President Ronald Reagan, on February 26th, 1987, declared a proclamation to make March National Disabilities Awareness Month. This year marks 28 years of celebrating March as National Disabilities Awareness Month. The Awareness month’s purpose is to provide understanding, uplifting, and opportunities to help people with disabilities to show their productive and full lives. This is great in so many different ways; this provides awareness of the setbacks that disabled people are met with in their communities. Before the 1800’s, disabled people were treated horribly. They lived in poor, unhygienic environments. Around the 1850’s, they began to have some awareness with institutions that essentially separated the disabled from society. In the 1970’s and 1980’s, during the deinstitutionalization movement, there was a much larger push for awareness surrounding the difficulties facing these individuals, thus leading to the creation of this month-long holiday. There are many different ways you and your community can show awareness. A few of these ways are to host a contest raising money for awareness and volunteer for organizations that support people with disabilities. These organizations that raise money and awareness are a great asset for the disabled community. These organizations provide to the less fortunate of the community and help them get the items they need. Support of disabled individuals does not need to be limited to just one month. You can always volunteer, donate, and show love to these remarkable people all year round.

Credits:Familycaregiversonline