Colorado State Capitol - Photo credit: Nick Butler

On February 26, 1987, President Ronald Reagan declared Proclamation 5613 making March "National Developmental Disabilities Awareness Month." The proclamation emphasized that having a disability does not prevent people from living full and fulfilling lives (quite a notion in 1987!)

To kick off Developmental Disabilities Awareness Month, Nick Butler, an ACL Advocacy Coordinator, joined Colorado self-advocates at the Colorado State Capitol to talk with legislators and ensure their voices were being heard.

The Colorado House and Senate unanimously adopted a resolution recognizing the beginning of Disability Rights Awareness Month. We thank our representatives and senators for recognizing and honoring the human rights of people with disabilities.

Lieutenant Governor Dianne Primavera - Photo credit: Nick Butler

Lieutenant Governor Dianne Primavera spoke to a crowd of self-advocates and allies at the Colorado Capitol about the importance of ensuring that people with disabilities are heard throughout State government.

Thank you to all the self-advocates, families, and supports who participated in Disability Rights Advocacy Day today at the Colorado Capitol. You made your voices heard and had a huge impact on the lives of people with disabilities across Colorado.

Submitted by Nick Butler, ACL Advocacy Coordinator and Caitlin Looney, ACL Training Architect