Delaware County Board of Developmental Disabilities (DCBDD) proclaimed today — Thursday, March 21 — to be “Crazy Socks Day” in Delaware County to celebrate inclusion and bring awareness to National Developmental Disabilities Awareness Month (NDDAM).
In 1987, President Ronald Reagan proclaimed March as “Developmental Disabilities Awareness Month.” In his proclamation, he called upon all Americans to provide inclusion, “encouragement and opportunities” for people with developmental disabilities, to help them reach their potential.
“It is our hope that these socks are a conversation starter that opens up the dialogue to Developmental Disabilities Awareness Month,” DCBDD Superintendent Kristine Hodge said.
Currently, over 2,300 people with developmental disabilities receive the services and support offered by DCBDD.
The students and staff of the Olentangy Local School District, Delaware City Schools, Delaware County District Library, City of Powell, Delaware Speech and Hearing, Delaware County Special Needs Registry/EMS, DATA Bus and DCBDD were encouraged to wear brightly colored and crazy socks as a fun way to bring awareness to developmental disabilities.
“Our mission at the county board is to support people so they may have the same opportunities as anyone else in our community,” Hodge said. “I am thrilled to see so many community partners participating and supporting our awareness efforts. Developmental Disabilities Awareness Month allows us the opportunity to celebrate Delaware’s inclusive community.”
Anne Miller, DCBDD public information officer, said this is the first year DCBDD has participated in Crazy Socks Day as a way to bring awareness to and start a conversation about all developmental disabilities.
However, she confessed that the idea of Crazy Socks Day was an idea borrowed from World Down Syndrome Day (WDSD), which is celebrated every March 21 to bring awareness to Down syndrome. The United Nations has officially observed WDSD internationally since 2012.
“We want to bring awareness to all disabilities,” Miller said. “If you see someone in crazy socks, it’s going to start a conversation.”
Jen Ruhe, Delaware City Schools director of communications, said it’s important to bring awareness to the special abilities of the students with special needs.
“Our Delaware City School students and staff are proud to join our friends from other schools and agencies in sporting crazy socks in support of people of all abilities,” she states in a press release from DCBDD.
