Disability inclusion means understanding the relationship between how people function and how they participate in society and ensuring everybody has the same opportunities to participate in every aspect of life to the best of their abilities and desires. In an effort to effectively spread awareness and foster inclusion, each month we commemorate and share Disability Awareness information, resources, and celebrations.
April is National Autism Acceptance Month which raises awareness for autism and Asperger’s syndrome. Autism is a complex brain disorder that often inhibits a person’s ability to communicate, respond to surroundings, and form relationships with others.
According to the World Health Organization (WHO), about one in 270 people in the world has Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD). ASD is a group of developmental disabilities that causes challenges in many areas of one’s life. Some of the profoundly affected areas include social, communication, and behavior. ASD also affects people of all racial, ethnic, and socioeconomic backgrounds.
This month we want to spread awareness about Autism in a special way to celebrate all the accomplishments in medicine, psychology, therapy, and community that help people with Autism. Most importantly we recognize and honor those in the Autism community and celebrate all of their accomplishments and self-advocacy.
The image above has an art piece from our friend, artist and advocate Rainbow Mosho. Rainbow is a teen with Autism, and a nationally known advocate for the Autism community. Find out more about Rainbow Mosho here.
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PVA Awareness Month started as a day-long observance. After requests from its members and Chapters across the country, the celebration was extended to a full month to raise awareness of not only America’s Veterans living with spinal cord injury and disease (SCI/D) and all veterans with disabilities, but also the people, programs, and services that exist to help make their lives easier. Today, many years after its first observance, PVA proudly celebrates PVA Awareness Month to help show how far we have come in the fight to help paralyzed Veterans and all people with disabilities, and to shine a spotlight on how much further we have left to go in helping these heroes regain what they fought for: their freedom and independence.
We honor our veterans and celebrate with them this month. They served to protect us, we support them and their rights as people with disabilities.
To find out more about PVA (Paralyzed Veterans of America) click here.
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According to Parkinson’s Foundation, every 6 minutes, someone will be diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease (PD) in the U.S. Parkinson’s disease is a neurodegenerative disorder that affects predominately the dopamine-producing (“dopaminergic”) neurons in a specific area of the brain called substantia nigra. Symptoms generally develop slowly over years. The progression of symptoms varies from one person to another due to the diversity of the disease. This April, for Parkinson’s Awareness Month, Parkinson’s Foundation is asking that everyone #Take6ForPD – take 6 minutes to raise Parkinson’s awareness – so that you and your loved ones can live Better Lives. Together.
Scroll to find resources in Tennessee and discover how you can join the fight for improved PD education, research, and care .
The Cole Center for Parkinson’s & Movement Disorders
Tipton County Commission on Aging
Vanderbilt Parkinson’s Disease Center
Also visit our website at TNPathfinder.org to find Senior Centers and other helpful resources to support aging adults.