Developmental Disabilities Awareness Month

By virtue of the authority vested by the Constitution of Virginia in the Governor of the Commonwealth of Virginia, there is hereby officially recognized:

WHEREAS, developmental disabilities occur among all racial, ethnic, and socioeconomic groups; and

WHEREAS, recent estimates in the United States show that about one in six children aged three through seventeen have one or more developmental disabilities; and

WHEREAS, Virginians with developmental disabilities contribute significantly to our schools, families, faith communities, and workforce; and

WHEREAS, the Commonwealth is committed to a community-based system of support for individuals with developmental disabilities and is redesigning critical programs and services to promote inclusion and community integration; and

WHEREAS, Developmental Disabilities Awareness Month is a time to recognize the Commonwealth’s efforts to achieve a culture of meaningful and full inclusion of individuals with developmental disabilities, in all facets of community life, and to set forth its commitment to identify and remove barriers to inclusion for all Virginians; and

WHEREAS, recognizing the abilities and contributions of people with developmental disabilities enriches our Commonwealth and signifies our commitment to equal opportunity, access, and rights for individuals with disabilities;

NOW, THEREFORE, I, Glenn Youngkin, do hereby recognize March 2023, as DEVELOPMENTAL DISABILITIES AWARENESS MONTH in our COMMONWEALTH OF VIRGINIA, and I call this observance to the attention of our citizens.

Governor of Virginia

Proclamations