March is...

The month of March marks the celebration of several disability-related awareness activities. Now if the perfect time to incorporate disability etiquette and awareness activities into workplace diversity training, volunteer with local disability organizations, and learn more about these disabilities.

• National Multiple Sclerosis Awareness Month - The Rocky Mountain region has a high prevalance of MS diagnoses. Find out the latest from the MS Association of America and National MS Society
• National Developmental Disabilities Awareness Month - First recognized by President Reagan in 1987, March continues to be a month of celebrations across the country to build awareness about developmental and intellectual disabilities. Find a local chapter of The Arc and find out what's going on in your community. If you're in Colorado, be sure to check out the Achieve with Us Film Festival!
• National Brain Injury Awareness Month - An estimated 1.7 million children and adults in the U.S. sustain a traumatic brain injury (TBI) and another 795,000 individuals sustain an acquired brain injury (ABI) from non-traumatic causes each year. Find a state chapter of the Brain Injury Association of America and learn more about how you can increase awareness about brain injury.
• National Essential Tremor Awareness Month - 2013 marks the third annual recognition with the theme: "We all need an assist from time to time." Find out more about how you get involved by visiting International Essential Tremor Foundation.
• National Cerebral Palsy Awareness Month - CP continues to be the most common motor disability among children. Learn about all the activities happening for National CP Awareness Month by visiting Reaching for the Stars and United Cerebral Palsy.
• Several states celebrate March as Disability Awareness Month. The Indiana Governor's Council for People with Disabilities has created some really cool tools to help celebrate - coloring pages, activities for classrooms and other groups, and reading lists. Check out all the resources now!

And finally, March is also recognized as National Women's History Month. Women with disabilities continue to make an impact in our country as advocates, policy makers, practioners, and researchers. EARN is highlighting influential women with disabilities in their weekly electronic news bulletin - sign up now so you don't miss an issue. Mobility International USA recently launched a new video, "Creating A World As It Should Be®: The Power of Disabled Women Activists." The video documents the power of women leaders with disabilities in their quest to be included in international development programs. You can also visit the Disability History Projects "Disabled Women on the Web" to learn more about influential women with disabilities.

Happy learning and enjoy your March!