Developmental disabilities are defined as a group of conditions due to an impairment in physical, language, behavior, or learning areas, according to the CDC. The defining characteristics of developmental disabilities are that they begin during the developmental period, may impact daily functioning, and usually last throughout a person’s lifetime.
Just in the United States alone, research collected in 2017 showed that 7.38 million people have intellectual or developmental disabilities. In fact, about 1 in 6 children, or about 17 percent of children from age 3 to age 17 have one or more developmental disabilities.
Some of the most common developmental disabilities are autism spectrum disorder, intellectual disability, Down syndrome, and cerebral palsy. However, other examples of developmental disabilities include ADHD, learning disability, hearing loss, vision impairment, and other developmental delays.
With such staggering statistics, there’s a good chance that there is someone that you love in your life who deals with some kind of developmental disability. That's why every year in March, we observe Developmental Disabilities Awareness Month to recognize all of the people who we know and love in the United States that live with a developmental disability.
When Did Developmental Disabilities Awareness Month Start and Why?
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Developmental Disabilities Awareness month first started when a public proclamation was issued by President Ronald Reagan in 1987. The purpose of the proclamation was to raise awareness of people living with developmental disabilities, as well as urge Americans to provide people living with developmental disabilities “the encouragement and opportunities they need to lead productive lives and to achieve their full potential.”
Since then, Developmental Disabilities Awareness Month has become an important opportunity to educate the public about developmental disabilities and the obstacles and discrimination the people living with them can face on a daily basis in society. Beyond this, Developmental Disabilities Awareness Month encourages people to be more inclusive by providing more opportunities that allow people living with developmental disabilities to be included and involved in all aspects of community life.
Although there is still room to improve when it comes to being more accommodating and accepting of people living with disabilities, we have come a long way, even just in the past few decades. The U.S offers resources such as disability resource centers that provide job accommodations for the disabled, and there are laws put in place to protect people with disabilities from discrimination in the workplace. Piece by piece, we are tearing down the stigmas and stereotypes surrounding disabilities.
Here at Acorn Stairlifts, we advocate for all people, whether they are disabled, elderly, living with chronic diseases, or incapacitated. Our mission is based completely on the idea of providing people with limited independence and mobility the chance to live their lives to the fullest with the opportunity to soar above the obstacles that oppress them. Acorn Stairlifts does this with the help of our high-quality stairlifts that were designed specifically with the people that struggle to actively participate in society in mind.
Support Your Loved One with a Stairlift
Acorn Stairlifts changes a life every eight minutes. That is because every eight minutes, someone in the world makes the life-changing decision to install an Acorn stairlift inside or outside of their home. Every eight minutes, one more person breaks free from the bondage of fear, dependency, and immobility.
You too can change your life or the life of a loved one, equipping them with the independence, mobility, and confidence they need to soar with the installation of one of Acorn’s award-winning stairlifts.
Not only does Acorn design stairlifts specifically for seniors, the disabled, and anyone who struggles with mobility impairments, but Acorn Stairlifts is the first and only company to earn the Ease-of-use Commendation from the Arthritis Foundation in all of its stair lift models. This means that from opening the package to the actual usage of the product by patients with mild to severe Arthritis, a board of scientists from the Arthritis Foundation found that Acorn stairlift elevators are comfortable and easy to use.
This is a testament to Acorn Stairlifts being a pioneer in the industry and truly taking into consideration the needs of our customers. Acorn knows how much you care about the wellbeing of your loved ones, and we want to provide them with the care that they deserve—only the best. Acorn stairlifts also come in a variety of models that fit 99 percent of all staircases, whether curved or straight, long or short, outdoors or indoors, or wide or narrow. Our stairlifts are designed to specifically fit your needs, staircases, and home.
Find out how you can make the homes of the disabled loved ones in your life more comfortable and welcoming for them by contacting Acorn Stairlifts for a free, no-obligation quote and home survey. Show your loved ones just how much you appreciate them and allow them to reach new heights with the help of an Acorn stairlift.
