​You may have heard radio commercials in the area announcing that March is Developmental Disabilities Awareness Month. Those spots are just one way to remind our community that we are better when we include everyone, and people with developmental disabilities are unique and valued members of society.
National Developmental Disabilities Awareness Month began in 1987 with a proclamation from President Reagan to bring awareness and acceptance for people of all abilities. One of our goals at SCBDD is to raise awareness about the inclusion of people with developmental disabilities in all aspects of community life.

Developmental disabilities are defined as lifelong disabilities with an onset before the age of 22 resulting in functional limitations. That’s the definition of developmental disability, but the people we serve are so much more than a disability or a diagnosis.

The people we serve have rich, complex lives just like everyone else. They have dreams like living on their own, having a job they love, or owning a pet they have always wanted. And generally, they want the same things that everyone else wants. They want to be treated like valued members of the community. They want to be involved, or they just want their neighbors to say hello. They want to be seen as an individual and not their disability.

March is almost over, but this can be a reminder for every day of the year. Including everyone makes our communities better.

If you’d like to know more about what the Champaign County Board of Developmental Disabilities does or to be involved, please go to our website at www.champaigncbdd.org. Also make sure to follow us on Facebook and Instagram.

If you have any interest in working in the DD field or becoming a Direct Support Professional, please call 937-653-5217 and ask for the Provider Specialist.

For Downsize Farm, a Champaign County service provider, the word 'business' is synonymous with 'family'. Founders Bob and Midge Custer created a business where everyone feels included. Their daughter, Bobbi McKee is now the CEO. Their nephew and in-laws work in day to day operations. They even employ staff who are related to each other or related to program participants. And if you are not a relative, they will surely make you feel like one.

Bobbi says, "Since the business was founded on the idea of caring for our family members, we give all clients and staff the same dignity and respect as if they are our true family."

Downsize Farm started and continues to operate a Day Program where people with developmental disabilities spend their time learning everyday jobs to keep a farm running. They cook with food grown in their own garden, feed and care for animals, craft items to sell (https://downsize-farm.square.site), and maintain the buildings and vehicles.

With Bobbi as CEO, Downsize Farm expanded its operations with more programs: a vocational program, an employment team, and a residential program. Not only can clients practice everyday living skills at the farm, but they also receive training for competitive employment, become actively employed, try their hand at living independently, and give back to the community with service projects.

Vocational Program:
This program is a collaboration with The Spotted Cow Coffeehouse and The Spotted Owl Coffee Bar in Urbana, OH. Clients can join an educational program to train for jobs in food service, manufacturing, janitorial, and other work. From there, clients can progress to the Employment Team, if they choose.

Employment Team:
Downsize Farm partners with area businesses to place clients in competitive employment positions which best suit everyone's needs and interests. The staff at Downsize provide job coaching and work closely with both clients and businesses to assure a proper placement.

​Residential Program:
Some clients set goals to live independently. The residential program can provide Homemaker/Personal Care (HPC) assistance to those living independently. It can also coordinate Ohio Shared Living (OSL) placements, which places someone with a developmental disability in the home of a person or family willing to be a paid caregiver.

Every year, during the first week in March, individuals with developmental disabilities, their families and their community allies gather in Columbus to advocate for policies that impact their lives.

After several years of virtual gatherings due to the pandemic, the 2022 event once again offered in-person participation. On March 2, advocates from Champaign County joined the rest of the state for a day of education and activism.

A Day of Activity
Participants of DD Awareness and Advocacy Day had a busy schedule to fill their day in Columbus.

Important Topics Discussed
This year, speakers at DD Awareness and Advocacy Day asked participants to "be the change". This was one of the main topics for the day. Attendants (in-person and virtual) were praised for making their voices heard and advocating for the changes they need.

Also discussed were the state's initiatives in assistive technology. Making technology more available to persons with disabilities can allow more independence. Those served by CCBDD can call their SSA for additional resources on assistive technology.

Advocates also mentioned better accessibility in public areas, better transportation, and the Direct Support Professional shortage. All are important for supporting independent living.

The CDC defines a developmental disability as “a group of conditions due to an impairment in physical, learning, language, or behavior areas. These conditions begin during the developmental period, may impact day-to-day functioning, and usually last throughout a person’s lifetime.”

Developmental disabilities can start as early as birth or develop later in life. To receive services from the county board of developmental disabilities the disability must have occurred before the age of 22.

Between the ages of 0-3 years, if an infant has or is at risk of developmental disabilities, the Champaign Co Board of DD (CCBDD) can provide early intervention services. Early intervention also helps families when their child is ready to transition into school.

As a person with DD ages, CCBDD can provide them with a Service and Support Administrator (SSA). SSAs help individuals and families get the resources they need to live their lives to the fullest.

Do you or a loved one have a developmental disability and need extra help? Check out our website to see the services we offer and contact us for a referral.

This year, for Developmental Disabilities Awareness Month, we are not just celebrating the individuals with DD, but also everyone who contributes to the DD community. Let’s give a round of applause to those with developmental disabilities, their family members, their Direct Support Professionals (DSPs), their employers, their SSAs, and their friends.

Because of you more people can volunteer and help make their communities a better place.

Because of you more people can become valued members of the workforce and take pride in a job well done.

Because of you more people can laugh, have fun, and enjoy life to the fullest.

Because of you more people can show off their special abilities, and more people can receive the benefits of those abilities.

Because of you we are all helping each other to make our world a better place.

If you know someone with special abilities, share a picture or story of them on your social media pages. Spread the word about DD Awareness in March and all year round. Post with the hashtags  #DDawareness or #DDAM.

The Champaign Co Board of DD is here to connect all parts of the community. Ask us how you can be a part of it!