The 26th Annual Developmental Disabilities Awareness Day will be held at the Conference & Event Center, Niagara Falls, on May 22 from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. The event will include speakers, workshops and vendors of products that serve the developmentally disabled. Performers who are disabled will perform in the lobby throughout the day. Original drawings submitted by individuals with a developmental disability will be displayed in the Art Exhibit Gallery. Last year, approximately 1,500 people attended and more than 100 agencies and vendors participated.
Various chronic conditions fall under the definition of developmental disability such as Down syndrome, a condition in which people are born with an extra chromosome which alters the normal development of the body and brain; fetal alcohol spectrum disorders which occurs only in persons whose mothers drank alcohol during pregnancy; - Cerebral palsy, a group of disorders that affect a person's ability to move and maintain balance; mental retardation, which is defined as having an IQ below 70 along with limitations in ability to adapt, and a group of disorders characterized by significant social, communication and behavioral challenges.
At the conference, people with developmental disabilities, their families, experts from provider agencies, and local officials will convene to explore the latest issues in the field.
The Conference & Event Center is located at 101 Old Falls St., Niagara Falls, 14303. For more information, visit www.ddday.org. |