Opportunities to recognize and discuss disability all month long
Below you will find the names of famous disabled people born this month, dates of note in disability history, awareness/acceptance days related to specific disabilities and dates of cultural significance.
If there’s something you’d like to see on this month’s calendar, please let us know.
March
View the complete Disability Calendar of Events
National Women’s History Month
Our page with lesson plans and resources focused on disabled women
National Disability Awareness Month
On February 26, 1987 President Ronald Reagan officially declared Proclamation 5613 making March National Disabilities Awareness Month. The proclamation called for people to provide understanding, encouragement and opportunities to help persons with disabilities to lead productive and fulfilling lives.
Everyone wants, and deserves, to enjoy life, feel productive and secure. But in March, we take extra steps to raise awareness about the supports and rights of the people with disabilities and to celebrate their contributions to our communities and society as a whole!
All individuals, agencies, and organizations supportive of people with disabilities are encouraged to observe the month of March with appropriate observances and activities directed toward increasing public awareness of the contributions and the potential of Americans with disabilities.
Our page with lessons and resources about disability history, people and culture
Cerebral Palsy Awareness Month
Developmental Disabilities Month
Deaf President Now! - 1988
“In March 1988, Gallaudet University experienced a watershed event that led to the appointment of the 124-year-old university's first deaf president. Since then, Deaf President Now (DPN) has become synonymous with self-determination and empowerment for deaf and hard of hearing people everywhere.”
Deaf Mosaic episode about Deaf President Now movement filmed in 1988
March 1 - International Wheelchair Day
March 2 - Dr. Seuss Day/Read Across America
March 5 - Lex Frieden (born 1949)
Lex Frieden is an American educator, researcher, disability policy expert and disability rights activist. Frieden has been called "a chief architect of the Americans with Disabilities Act." He is also regarded as a founder and leader of the independent living movement by people with disabilities in the U.S.
http://www.lexfrieden.com/_lfrieden/lex1.html
President George Bush 41 talks about Lex Frieden and the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990
March 12 - Capitol Crawl (1990)
The Capitol Crawl was a protest that was successful in urging congress to vote on the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA).
Our Lesson Plans about the Capitol Crawl
All the Way to the Top Lesson - grades K-5
Access is a Civic Right - Capitol Crawl Lesson - grades 7-9
Video of Cassie James about her experience at the Capitol Crawl
All the Way to the Top Read Aloud
March 21 – World Down Syndrome Day
“Just Like You” video about Down Syndrome - 13 minutes
Chloe explains Down Syndrome video - animated - 3 and a half minutes (note the video uses the spelling Down’s which isn’t used the United States)
Language guide regarding Down Syndrome
March 26 – Purple Day for Epilepsy
March 27 - Alice Wong (born 1974)
Disability activist who has risen to fame as a creator and project coordinator for the Disability Visibility Project with spinal muscular atrophy. She has also served on Asians and Pacific Islanders with Disabilities of California and as a presidential appointee to the National Council on Disability.