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Celebrating Developmental Disabilities Awareness Month

Published March 1, 2026

Education

March is Developmental Disabilities Awareness Month, and we’re ready to celebrate! This is a special time each year—during this month, the National Association of Councils on Developmental Disabilities (NACDD), the Association of University Centers on Disabilities (AUCD), and the National Disability Rights Network (NDRN) all come together to raise awareness and inclusion of people living with developmental disabilities in our communities. These organizations share stories of the diverse and rich lives people with disabilities lead while also pointing out the day-to-day barriers that still exist for these folks. Overall, Developmental Disabilities Awareness Month is a time for everyone in our community—those living with disabilities and those who don’t—to show that we’re all stronger when we live and work together.

What is a Developmental Disability?

So, what exactly is a developmental disability? According to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC),, this term refers to a wide variety of conditions that start during childhood and can lead “to an impairment in physical, learning, language, or behavior areas.” A developmental disability can affect the way a person does daily tasks and typically lasts from childhood throughout the rest of their life. Some of the more well-known developmental disabilities include:

  • Cerebral Palsy
  • Autism Spectrum Disorder
  • Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD)
  • Bipolar Disorder
  • Down Syndrome
  • Epilepsy
  • Tourette Syndrome
  • Hearing Loss
  • Vision Loss

These are just a few types of developmental disabilities, however—there are many different conditions, and every person’s lived experience of their specific condition (or conditions) is unique. People from all racial, ethnic, and socioeconomic backgrounds can have developmental disabilities. In fact, it’s estimated that more than 5 million Americans live with one, according to the May Institute, including about 1 in 6 American children (ages 3–17), per the CDC. So, chances are good that someone you know—or maybe you yourself—has a developmental disability!

An essential thing to remember is that just because someone lives with a developmental disability, it does not mean that they cannot lead a full, interesting, and rewarding life. In fact, that’s exactly what Developmental Disabilities Awareness Month tries to showcase!

History of Developmental Disabilities Awareness Month

President Ronald Reagan declared the first Developmental Disabilities Awareness Month in March of 1987, stating that it would “[increase] public awareness of the needs and the potential of Americans with developmental disabilities” and also provide “both encouragement and the opportunities” to help these folks “lead productive lives and to achieve their full potential.”

Three years later, the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) was passed by President George H.W. Bush, and was later amended in 2008 by President George W. Bush. This act and its amendments prohibit public discrimination against anyone with disabilities, including developmental disabilities. In practice, this means that employers, public transit, businesses that serve the public, telecommunications, and the government all have to follow rules that make their services accessible to individuals with disabilities.

Even though these laws are in place to make everyday life accessible to everyone, Developmental Disabilities Month underlines the fact that the work isn’t done yet—we still have more progress to make in order for our communities to be fully accessible for everyone living with disabilities.

How You Can Celebrate

There are many ways that you and your kids can celebrate Developmental Disabilities Month this year! One easy way to celebrate is by wearing orange, the official color of Developmental Disabilities Month, and asking your friends and family to wear orange, too.

You can also like and share social media posts throughout the month from the following organizations who advocate for Developmental Disability Rights:

Another great way for you to celebrate is by learning more about what it’s like for people who live with developmental disabilities. Check out this great list of books for all ages that the Hamilton East Public Library compiled, and also be sure to check out the list of events they’re hosting throughout the month of March!

This month, we can help spread awareness of life with developmental disabilities and help make sure that everyone has the community support and care they deserve. And remember—even after the month of March ends, our advocacy for developmental disability awareness continues on!

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