About DD Awareness Month
March is Developmental Disabilities Awareness Month (DDAM), a nationwide observance dedicated to promoting inclusion, accessibility, and the contributions of people with developmental disabilities in all aspects of community life.
Each year, the NYS Council on Developmental Disabilities joins the National Association of Councils on Developmental Disabilities (NACDD) and partners nationwide to celebrate the talent, creativity and achievements of people with developmental disabilities in New York State and across the county.
DDAM was established in 1987, when President Ronald Reagan issued a presidential proclamation aimed to increase awareness of the needs and potential of Americans with developmental disabilities.
Digital Art Gallery
The NYS Council on Developmental Disabilities launched our first DD Awareness Month Digital Art Gallery in 2024 as a way to recognize and celebrate the talents of New Yorkers with Developmental Disabilities. What began as a one-time initiative quickly grew into something more. With an overwhelmingly positive response from self-advocates across NYS, the gallery has since become an annual tradition. Each year, the gallery showcases the talents of people with DD, providing a platform to showcase their work and highlight the importance of inclusion through art. Enjoy the drawings, paintings, poems, photography, sculptures by exploring the galleries below.
2026 Gallery
This year the CDD asked self-advocates across NYS to send us their artwork with the theme is "Celebrating our Achievements." With nearly 200 submissions, the CDD wants to give a sincere thank you to all the incredible artists who contributed and trusted us with their art.
2025 Gallery
In 2025, we asked self-advocates to send us their artwork showing the things they enjoy.
2024 Gallery
The 2024 theme was a World of Opportunities. We asked self-advocates to send us artwork about things they love to do and of which they are proud.
We’re Here: Then, Now, Always Campaign
The CDD is pleased to join DD Councils around the country in the launch of the We’re Here: Then, Now, Always campaign. The national campaign recognizes a simple truth: people with developmental disabilities have always been part of our communities and always will be.
Through powerful storytelling and visuals, We’re Here: Then, Now, Always highlights how far the disability community has come and why continued advocacy efforts have strengthened the commitment to inclusion and community living.
The community will also have an opportunity to participate. We’re Here will launch a relationship-building campaign to provide people with DD, family members, and the community-at-large to build relationships with key decision makers in their communities, state, and federally. It will then open a national portrait collection to show the faces of the DD community across the country and sharing their “Always.”
The campaign, organized by the National Association of Councils on Developmental Disabilities, launches in March 2026 and runs until February 2027.
A World of Opportunities
In 2024, the CDD celebrated the theme 'A World of Opportunities', by asking self-advocates to tell us what they like to do, what they are proud of what they are passionate about, and what their goals are for the future.
Enjoy the responses in the video series below.
A World of Opportunities
Self-advocates talk about their accomplishments, their goals, and what makes them happy in the A World of Opportunities video.
DD Proud
Having pride in yourself or something you've done is an essential part of a happy life. See what self-advocates have to say in the video: DD Proud.
The Future
In a world full of opportunities, we asked self-advocates what their future holds. Take a bright and hopeful look at The Future!
How to Participate
Announcements on how to participate in the annual DD Awareness Month Digital Art Gallery and other opportunities are usually posted in January of each year. To receive notifications on future opportunities, please sign up for our newsletter or follow our social media accounts.
- Follow the CDD on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/nyscdd
- Follow the CDD on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nyscdd
- Follow the CDD on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/nyscdd/