Developmental Disabilities Awareness Month Resources

Resources for Advocates and Individuals With Disabilities

Published on March 14, 2023

As Developmental Disabilities Awareness Month continues and we work towards creating change in our communities, we must utilize the available resources. With these resources, we can become better advocates and better understand individuals with developmental disabilities. While we are sharing these during DDAM, these resources are applicable year-round. We encourage you to read through these and do your research, as well as reach out to individuals with disabilities to get their input. 

Resources for Advocates

• Breaking Barriers of Autism: The Power of Kindness and Friendship | Benjamin Tarasewicz – TEDx Talks
• 8 Ways to Advocate for People with Disabilities – ALSO
• I Dream of a World (2020) – Informing Families
• ADA National Network – The ADA National Network provides information, guidance, and training on how to implement the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) to support the mission of the ADA
• “It’s Time for a Reimagining of Disability Etiquette” – Andrew Pulrang
• “Talking about Healthy Relationships” – Elevatus Training
• “The ADA is Turning 30. Here’s What You Should Know” – Chia-Yi Hou 

Resources for Individuals with Disabilities

• Healthy Boundaries Lesson – Elevatus Training
• Self-Determination YouTube Channel
• Communicate and create your way: What’s new in Microsoft 365 Accessibility for October-December 2022 – Aleš Holeček
• “Self Advocacy Start-Up Toolkit: More Power, More Control Over our Lives!” – Self Advocates Becoming Empowered
• Self-Advocacy Online

These are just a handful of the many resources available, and it is important to recognize that each person is different and may prefer to be supported in different ways. Ask your friends and loved ones what will make them feel the most understood and included, and use that to be a better advocate for them. We hope you find these Developmental Disabilities Awareness Month resources helpful!