GREENVILLE – On Monday, members of the Darke County Commission signed a proclamation declaring March as Developmental Disabilities (DD) Awareness Month.

By signing the proclamation, the Commission joins with the Darke County Board of DD and the community to commemorate progress toward improving the lives of people with DD, while also highlighting the challenges that remain in achieving a community that fully includes people with DD.

The local DD board urges citizens to recognize and acknowledge the barriers and challenges that can keep people with DD from realizing their full potential at school, work, home and in their communities. They believe everyone can contribute to improving the lives of people with DD by being strong advocates and supporters of increased independence and community leadership.

The proclamation stated, “It is important that we expand opportunities for people with developmental disabilities including access to integrated employment, education, housing, health care, and civic engagement in the context of community participation.”

By bringing awareness to DD, the board, commission and community can empower people with DD to explore possibilities for their lives by maximizing independence, community participation, employment and economic self-sufficiency in their daily life experiences. The goal is to allow everyone to live their best life.