Home

Contact Us

 
 
 
 

Catalog
Free Tools
Media Kit
 



MR/DD 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)

"Success ─ when doors open we succeed"
 is the theme
for Mental Retardation
and Developmental Disabilities
Awareness Month 2008

(your organization) and other related organizations celebrate MRDD Awareness Month in March (‘this month’), and invite you to consider the true meaning of this year’s theme, “Success!”

Statewide, and across the nation, organizations devoted to serving individuals with mental retardation and other developmental disabilities (MR/DD) are planning special events in March to raise public awareness of the many abilities people have, regardless of disability. “Success!” 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).

“During ‘MR/DD 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 MRDD 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, Mental Retardation and Developmental Disabilities Awareness Month, get acquainted with someone who has a developmental disability. You’ll learn that everyone has something to offer. Focus on what people can do!

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.

# # #

Tips:

Self-Determination

Supported Employment
How many individuals in your county are employed in community-based jobs? Have any employers received special recognition for their efforts in employing persons with developmental disabilities?

Mini-Enterprises
Have any individuals in your community with mr/dd started their own businesses? Are their support programs to help them?

Special Olympics

The evolution of sheltered workshops
When workshops first began, jobs were often elementary and tedious. Today , workshops often participate in outsourcing for major corporations or produce their own products. What's new at the workshops in your community?

Supported Housing
More and more individuals are living more independently in the community. What good news stories can you find about neighborhoods welcoming individuals with developmental disabilities.

People First and Self-Advocacy
Does your community have a chapter? Is anyone from your community participating on the statewide committee?

Innovations by staff
What innovations by your staff are changing the way your organization provides services and programs to persons with mental retardation and developmental disabilities?

Got some other ideas? E-mail them and we'll add them to our list to share with other visitors to this web site.
  Our new
products		 Building Allies Conference Annual
Awareness
Awards   		Poster Contest
for elementary school
students		 Home