March Is Intellectual Disability Awareness Month

This March marks the 28th anniversary of the very first National Intellectual Disabilities Awareness Month. In his proclamation, President Ronald Reagan invited “all individuals, agencies, and organizations … to observe this month with appropriate observances and activities directed toward increasing public awareness of the needs and the potential of Americans with [intellectual] disabilities.”

Here at PersonLink, we take President Reagan’s words to heart – and to action.  To kick off the month, on March 2nd, we’ll be hosting Special Olympics athletes and staff members to join us at our all-staff meeting to share more about their programs and ways we can all get involved.  If you’re interested in being a visitor at this meeting, please contact Emily Wyner at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or (267) 295-3848.

Then, on March 18th, PersonLink is hosting our quarterly Family Advisory Committee meeting.  We’re inviting an esteemed guest speaker to help attendees understand how people with intellectual disabilities and their support networks can plan for a healthy financial and medical future.

There are other community events going on throughout March, too, and we encourage everyone to get involved however possible!  PersonLink will be attending the Brighter Futures Awards on March 13th and would love to see you there.

And of course, whether you can make it to an event or not, we encourage you to raise awareness in your own communities that individuals with intellectual disabilities can and do live everyday lives.  This is an issue where words really matter.  Pledge to end the use of the “R word,” and share this PSA on your social media pages to encourage others to do so, too.  Spread the word to end the word!

While you’re at it, stay tuned to our Facebook and Twitter pages throughout the month.  We’ll be publicizing other community goings-on for Intellectual Disability Awareness Month that you can get involved with and featuring content that celebrates the lives of individuals with intellectual disabilities.  Know of anything happening in your community?  Post it to our social media pages, or email Emily Wyner at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. so we can do it for you.