March is Developmental Disabilities Awareness Month (DDAM). Did you know that an estimated 4.5% of the DC population has a developmental disability? That means there are at least 30,000 children and adults with developmental disabilities in DC.

People with developmental disabilities want the same things as everyone. They want to go to school with their friends. They want to play sports and join clubs. They want to get jobs and live in affordable and safe housing. They want to fall in love and maybe get married or have kids. They might want to travel, visit museums, go out to eat, and experience all the things their city has to offer.

Some people with developmental disabilities can do all these things with minimal support, and some people need a lot of support and a lot of accommodations from their schools, employers, and the community to enjoy those things.

That’s what DDAM is all about: celebrating that people with developmental disabilities are part of our communities and recognizing the challenges they face in enjoying full inclusion in their communities. As the National Association of Councils for Developmental Disabilities put it: “people with developmental disabilities have always been part of our communities – and always will be.”

The DC Department on Disability Services is hosting this year’s annual Advocate for Equity Awards on Thursday, March 26 from 3:00 – 5:00 p.m. at their offices at 250 E Street SW. If you haven’t gotten your ticket already, please join Quality Trust in recognizing DDAM on Monday, March 30, 2026, from 5:00 – 7:00 p.m. at Arrels in the Arlo Hotel at 333 G Street NW. I look forward to seeing you all there!