News  March 2025 Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities Awareness Month

Governor Maura Healey has proclaimed March 2025 as Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities Awareness Month in Massachusetts.

Each March, Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities Awareness Month honors the strength of the I/DD communities through history, and highlights the need for true equality and integration for future generations. This year's theme, as set by the National Association of Councils on Developmental Disabilities (NACDD) is "We're Here All Year." This theme emphasizes that community, accessibility, and opportunities for people with developmental disabilities should be recognized and championed every day - not just in March.

The Commonwealth of Massachusetts

A Proclamation

Whereas, Over 200,000 children and adults in Massachusetts have intellectual and developmental disabilities. They reflect the rich racial, ethnic, and cultural diversity in our Commonwealth; and 

Whereas, All people with intellectual and developmental disabilities can live and work in the community. To do this, they need the right supports and services. They are entitled to these supports. With the right supports, they can work in competitive integrated employment. With the right supports, they can live on their own in the community. With the right supports, they can learn alongside their peers. 
Individualized support results in full inclusion; and

Whereas, People with  intellectual and developmental disabilities should be able to choose what they want for their lives. This is self-determination. Self-determination improves people's lives. When people choose for themselves, it creates more opportunities. When people choose for themselves, they can thrive in rea jobs for real pay. When people choose for themselves, they get a better education. When people learn about decision-­making and choice, they are more independent. When people choose for themselves, they can be healthier; and

Whereas, Many community members provide support and care to people with intellectual and developmental disabilities. Support can come from family members and friends. Support can come from professionals and other community members. These supports are essential; and

 
Whereas, We recognize and value the important work that direct care workers do each day so that people with  intellectual and developmental disabilities can live fulfilling lives; and

Whereas, In Massachusetts, we recognize the importance of safeguarding the human and civil rights of everyone in the disability community. We invest in services and supports that allow  intellectual and developmental disabilities to live full lives. We imagine a future where all people with intellectual and developmental disabilities work, live, and learn in the community; and

Whereas, In March, we celebrate Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities Awareness Month. We recognize the value of inclusion. We recognize the importance of supports and services. We recognize that people with  intellectual and developmental disabilities make the Commonwealth a better, more diverse place to live,

Now, Therfore, I, Maura T. Healey, Governor of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, do herby proclaim March 2025, to be,

Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities Awareness Month

And urge all residents of the Commonwealth to take cognizance of this event and participate fittingly in its observance.

Given at the Executive Chamber in Boston, this first day of March, in the year two thousand and twenty-five, and of the Independence of the Inited States of America, the two hundred and forty-eighth.

By Her Excellency

Maura T. Healey, Governor of the Commonwealth

Kimberly Driscoll, Lt. Governor of the Commonwealth

William Francis Galvin, Secretary of the Commonwealth

God Save the Commonwealth of Massachusetts