Cool C.A.T.S. Club

Connor Long is an actor, advocate and athlete, who also happens to have Down syndrome. In addition to swimming competitively in the Special Olympics, Connor’s growing list of film and theater projects reveals a talented young man with a passion for performing, athletics and advocacy. And as an advocate, Connor is passionate about social change – he has worked on a range of issues to improve the conditions, lives and opportunities for people with differing abilities.

Like Connor, chances are that you know a person who has a developmental disability, or somebody who is differently-abled. And, like Connor, having a differing ability does not have to be a life circumstance that holds an individual back from living life to the fullest and pursuing his or her dreams! We had the privilege of teaming up with Connor for the Colorado Premiere of Learning to Drive last week at Stargazers Theatre and Event Center — an event that raised funds for The Arc Pikes Peak Region’s Building for Change Campaign.  If you weren’t able to meet Connor at this event, check out this story from local news station KOAA.

March is Developmental Disability Awareness month. Here are a few ways that you can get involved: 

 

1. Become familiar with Developmental Disabilities. If you aren’t familiar with what a developmental disability is, that’s OK – what a great opportunity to become aware and learn about differing abilities! Common developmental disabilities include Cerebral Palsy, Autism Spectrum Disorder, Down syndrome, Fragile X Syndrome, Neural Tube Defects and others. According to the CDC, “Recent estimates show that about one in six, or about 15% of children aged 3 through 17 years have one or more developmental disabilities. Beginning during the developmental period, these conditions often impact daily life and usually last throughout a person’s lifetime.” You can learn more about developmental disabilities here.

2. Become an advocate or a self-advocate. Awareness is just the first step toward helping to create a better life for those with developmental disabilities. Those with developmental disabilities often benefit from the presence of those who can be a positive voice, or an advocate, in their lives. Being an advocate involves speaking up for the human rights of those with developmental, championing policies that help those with developmental disabilities succeed in life, and overall becoming a proactive force for positive change in the lives of those with developmental disabilities. One way to stay on top of important issues surrounding developmental disabilities is to join the Disability Advocacy Network – this network aims to help build a larger, stronger movement of people with disabilities, parents, siblings and allies to advocate for the civil rights of individuals with disabilities.

If you are an individual with intellectual or developmental disabilities, we encourage you to become a self-advocate so that you can learn how to speak and stand up for yourself. Include USA, The Arc Pikes Peak Region’s group of self-advocates, is a wonderful place to start. This group meets the first Tuesday of every month at The Arc Pikes Peak Region’s office at 12 N. Meade Ave. Additionally, we also encourage you to take advantage of organizations like Self-Advocates Becoming Empowered (SABE) and the National Disability Rights Network.

3. Spread the word to end the r-word. In conjunction with Developmental Disability Awareness Month, we encourage you, your friends and your family to take the pledge to “spread the word to end the r-word.” Words are powerful, and hearing the r-word, “retard” or “retarded,” makes people with disabilities, their families and their friends feel like less valued members of humanity. The r-word is just as cruel and offensive as any other slur.

We ask that you help change the conversation and help eliminate the demeaning use of the r-word from today’s popular youth vernacular by replacing it with the word “respect.” We are asking for your help in creating a more accepting world for people with disabilities and all those people who may appear different, but have unique gifts and talents to share with the world. You can make your pledge to choose respectful, people-first language at www.R-word.org.

4. Get involved with Building for Change. Here at The Arc Pikes Peak Region, we are excited about our current capital campaign, Building for Change, which will construct an inclusive campus for the Pikes Peak Region. “The goal is to bring individuals with varying abilities and individuals that we would consider normal together to learn to develop friendships and relationships,” Wilfred Romero, executive director of The Arc Pikes Peak Region, explained. “To change the culture in the Pikes Peak Region where we see the person first. We’ll have a computer lab where we’ll focus on job search and professional development. We really hope to develop partnerships with our downtown merchants where they will look at opportunities to hire individuals with disabilities.” We encourage you to learn more about Building for Change and get involved!

This month, expand your horizons and participate in Developmental Disability Awareness month – not only will your life be enriched for the better, but you will play an important part in making our community one where all individuals are embraced and respected.