Developmental Disabilities
Awareness Month
Sample News Release

For Immediate Release Date: (date you mail news release)
Contact: (your name) at (your phone number,
e-mail and street addresses)

"Just like You"
 is the theme
for Developmental Disabilities
Awareness Month 2010

(your organization) and other related organizations celebrate Developmental Disabilities Awareness Month in March (‘this month’), and invite you to consider the true meaning of this year’s theme, “Just like You.”

Statewide, and across the nation, organizations devoted to serving individuals with developmental disabilities are planning special events in March to raise public awareness of the many abilities people have, regardless of disability. “Just like You” encourages people to bring diversity to their communities by welcoming people with disabilities into local neighborhoods, workplaces, houses of worship and schools.

"This is a time when our organization focuses on encouraging the public to better understand the individuals we serve," said (your spokesperson's full name/title).

“During ‘Developmental Disabilities Awareness Month,’ we encourage people to learn more about the (number of people you serve) people in this community who have disabilities. For example, when you see a child who uses a wheelchair – see the child, not the disability. And when you see a man with mental retardation working at your local supermarket, see the man, not his disability.”

(Your organization's name) will kick off its recognition of March as  DD Awareness Month with (your event). (Your event) will be (date) at (place).

(Describe event.) Other activities planned for March include: (some suggestions are... library displays, weekly features on individuals in local newspapers, and presentations to schools and community groups) During March, Developmental Disabilities Awareness Month, get acquainted with someone who has a developmental disability. You’ll learn that everyone has something to offer and that people with disabilities are just like you!

The last paragraph should be a standard 'boilerplate' description of your organization. You may wish to include your slogan, tagline or mission statement in your description.