Encouraging education during IDD Month

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March 14, 2009

Anonymous The Meridian Star Sat Mar 14, 2009, 11:26 PM CDT

In celebration of March as Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities (IDD) Month, I would like to take this opportunity to encourage all Mississippians to learn more about individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities.

The theme for this year’s celebration is “Just Like You.” It is important to remember that individuals with IDD are just like you and me: they deserve the same respect and support as anyone else. The acceptance and understanding of individuals with IDD can make a difference. One of the Mississippi Department of Mental Health’s (DMH) goals is to reduce the stigma of disability and replace it with an understanding of ability. DMH recently hosted the annual “IDD Day at the Capitol” on March 4 in order to enhance the public’s knowledge and awareness of individuals with IDD, and how they actively participate in their communities through their employment settings, community involvement, and early intervention programs.

One in 10 families in the United States has a family member with IDD. In FY 2008, approximately 1,200 children with IDD received early intervention services through DMH. In addition, more than 11,000 adolescents and adults with IDD were served in DMH facilities and community service programs. A diagnosis of an intellectual and developmental disability is characterized by limitations in intellectual functioning and difficulties with certain daily living skills. The term IDD covers a broad range of disorders and syndromes, many of which are misunderstood by the general public.

With the support of our partners, such as the ARC of Mississippi and the Mississippi Council on Developmental Disabilities, we look forward to a better tomorrow for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities.

Edwin C. LeGrand III

Executive Director

Mississippi Department of Mental Health

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