Reflections on Developmental Disabilities Awareness Month

Sara Crimm, Director and Co-Founder of Families CCAN

Families CCAN engages every day in recognizing, supporting and celebrating individuals with disabilities. March’s focus on disability awareness doesn’t change our approach or our message—Except to say that awareness stops way short. Our aim is acceptance and belonging. 

In my experience, disability touches everyone. People recognize disability right away and want to reach out, connect and share.

Some examples:

In January I attended a family celebration in Boston where the fancy evening party included a DJ and catered meal.  Ben and I approach the bar to get a drink. Since the music is loud Ben is wearing his noise-cancelling headphones. Right away the bartender tells me that his son is autistic too and does Ben speak?  Ben converses with “Bob” on his letterboard – he wants to know if his son is in school and what he likes to do. “Bob” makes sure to talk with Ben throughout the evening.

In the grocery store with Ben, who again is wearing his noise-cancelling headphones, humming to himself and straying up and down the aisles. [Super markets are the most sensory-overloading places on earth!] A shopper walking by stops to tell me she has a family member with a disability, too. 

Walking with Ben on a neighborhood trail at a local college, we pause so I can ask him a question. He is spelling an answer on his letterboard when we’re approached by another walker. This man says he sees us here frequently and wants to commend Ben on his exercise routine. He shares that his wife has a disability and can no longer walk; that he wishes she could also be on the trail. 

Do you judge these interactions to be nosy and intrusive, or kind and respectful?  I suppose one could lean either way. But I choose the latter. It does feel strange to be “called out” – to have someone recognize Ben’s differences and acknowledge them publicly. Yet Ben says these interactions make him feel seen and recognized. This for him is a big step towards acceptance and belonging.

As we move through March and the remaining months of this year, take note of your own experiences of acceptance and belonging. Share them out!  Amplifying these stories is how we can create broader change. 

Here’s how Families CCAN is doing that:

Join our Peer to Peer Workshop to learn from and with individuals with disabilities about their success in living in the community, with support.

Read about our Housing Myth Busting Project to educate individuals with disabilities and their allies on housing choice and options.  Attend our March Resource meeting on Getting Your Own Place: Myths and Facts.

See our upcoming blog posts featuring individuals with disabilities sharing their stories of independence and housing choice.