DD Awareness Month

This March, help us make our community more inclusive
for people of every ability by joining our month-long celebration.
Need ideas? Check out the ideas below.

Join us for Inclusion Day 2026!

March 2, 2026 was Inclusion Day and our kickoff to March DD Awareness Month! Find out how how you can help spread the message of INCLUSION and support people of all abilities in our community.

Get Inclusion Day 2026 details
Orange circle graphic with the phrase "I heart Inclusion" in white letters
Man in orange shirt signing Summit DD "I Heart Inclusion" banner at Inclusion Days at the Zoo event

Join Us for Inclusion Days at the Zoo

Summit DD and the Akron Zoo teamed up again for some good, inclusive fun February 28-March 2, 2026 to celebrate people of every ability for DD Awareness Month.

Learn how to get in FREE during Inclusion Days

2026 ArtWalk - Details Coming Soon

Summit DD is teaming up with Summit Art Space to host an inclusive art walk in recognition of DD Awareness Month. Be sure to check back for date and times. 

Check out last year's Art Walk

Be Part of the Change

We're committed to helping people reach their full potential, but we need your help to make lasting progress. This March, ask yourself if you are doing all you can to create opportunities for all abilities.

Learn more about volunteer opportunities with Summit DD

Appreciation Breakfast at House Three Thirty

March would not be complete if we didn't recognize local self-advocates, DSPs, and community allies who work tirelessly to advocate for positive change.

See the photos from the 2025 Appreciation Breakfast

Make Your Workplace Inclusive

Learn more about how Summit DD's Employment Collaborative can help your business connect with a largely untapped market of qualified job candidates or provide training for your teams.

Learn about the Employment Collaborative
Summit DD team member playing with a child at the Speech Language Pathology Playgroup.

Inclusive Opportunities

DD Awareness Month isn't just a Summit DD celebration. Our Summit County partners are getting into the fun. Check out these inclusive opportunities that local organizations have put together to help celebrate inclusion and people of all abilities  

Find community inclusion celebrations

National Disability Awareness Month History

National Developmental Disabilities (DD) Awareness Month officially began in 1987 with a proclamation from President Reagan to help bring awareness and acceptance for people of every ability. Since then, families, self-advocates, advocacy groups and Ohio’s County Boards have been working to increase opportunities for people with disabilities. But there’s still more progress to be made.

Learn more

Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA)

On July 26, 1990 the ADA was signed into law prohibiting discrimination against individuals with disabilities in all areas of public life, including jobs, schools, transportation, and all public and private places that are open to the general public.

Learn more about the ADA

© Summit County Developmental Disabilities Board