March is National Disabilities Awareness Month, a time dedicated to promoting the abilities of people with disabilities. In recent years, there has been a growing effort to recognize the unique talents and contributions of individuals with different abilities, and Challenge Enterprises of North Florida, Inc. is one organization that is making a difference.
Funded by the Agency for Persons with Disabilities and Vocational Rehabilitative Services, Challenge Enterprises is committed to providing quality services to individuals with disabilities, including screening and certifying all staff. The agency’s mission is to proudly promote the Power of People and Possibilities for individuals with disabilities. For the past 50 years, Challenge Enterprises has been grateful to many partner agencies, businesses, churches, corporations, and private citizens in Clay County and surrounding communities who have significantly enriched the quality of life for persons with disabilities to find jobs, own a house, rent an apartment, and have friends to share the good times.
President Reagan recognized March as Developmental Disabilities Awareness Month in 1987 as a way to increase public awareness of the needs and potential of Americans with developmental disabilities. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), developmental disabilities include impairments in physical, learning, language, or behavior areas, such as autism spectrum disorders, attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder, hearing loss, vision impairment, and other developmental delays.
Each March, the National Association of Councils on Developmental Disabilities, Association of University Centers on Disabilities, and National Disability Rights Network come together to highlight the ways in which people with and without disabilities unite to form strong communities. This campaign is an important opportunity to recognize and celebrate the unique talents and contributions of individuals with disabilities and to promote inclusion and accessibility for all.
