MARION, OH (MARION COUNTY NOW)—The Marion County Board of Developmental Disabilities (MCBDD) is excited to honor those served throughout March by celebrating Developmental Disabilities (DD) Awareness Month!
DD Awareness Month was first recognized nationally in 1987 when President Ronald Reagan proclaimed March as a time for Americans to support individuals with developmental disabilities by offering “the encouragement and opportunities they need to lead productive lives and to achieve their full potential.” Since then, county boards and DD organizations across the country have used this month to highlight positive progress and promote understanding, inclusion, and advocacy for people with developmental disabilities.
Join MCBDD in Celebrating All Month Long
We’re asking the Marion County community to help celebrate by:
- Following and sharing the stories we’ll be posting on Facebook, LinkedIn, and Instagram
- Wearing orange—Ohio’s official color for DD Awareness—on March 4, 2026
- Posting photos, tagging MCBDD, and using #WORTHIT and #DDAwareness
“March is our favorite month,” said Cheryl Plaster, superintendent of MCBDD. “We urge our community to wear orange to recognize those with developmental disabilities. Their insight, advocacy, and unique perspective help create an inclusive community. We are proud of the part we play in helping those we serve achieve.”
Why DD Awareness Matters
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), developmental disabilities impact areas such as physical ability, learning, language, and behavior. Approximately 1 in 6 children ages 3–17 are diagnosed with one or more developmental disabilities. In Ohio, more than 1.6 million residents have some form of disability (The Center for Community Solutions).
This month, MCBDD will spotlight the strengths, talents, and stories of those we serve through our theme: “This Is Me, More Than DD.” Our goal is to remind the community that a developmental disability is only one part of who someone is—not the defining part.
Supporting Individuals Every Day
MCBDD partners with more than 50 local providers to support individuals of all ages. These providers offer services that build independence and confidence, including: transportation, employment support, residential services, budgeting, grocery shopping, and cooking skills, personal safety, day services and community integration, as well as social and life‑skills coaching.
These services help create a community that is diverse, inclusive, and compassionate—a place where everyone belongs.
Your Challenge This March
As we celebrate DD Awareness Month, MCBDD encourages everyone in Marion County to:
- Meet someone new
- Learn about individuals who may experience the world differently
- Volunteer
- Employ someone with a developmental disability
- Get involved, get informed, and get inspired
Open your heart and your perspective—you might discover a part of our community you’ll absolutely fall in love with.
It’s #WORTHIT.