The Carroll Hills program and other related organizations throughout Ohio celebrate Developmental Disabilities Awareness Month in March each year, and invite area residents to consider the true meaning of this year's theme, "Just Like You."
Statewide, and across the nation, organizations devoted to serving individuals with developmental disabilities are planning special events this month to raise public awareness of the many abilities people have, regardless of disability. "Just Like You" encourages people to bring diversity to their communities by welcoming people with disabilities into local neighborhoods, workplaces, houses of worship and schools.
"This is a time when Carroll Hills Program focuses on encouraging the public to better understand the individuals we serve," said Diana Strader, DD Month chairperson for the Carroll Hills Programs.
"During DD Awareness Month, we encourage people to learn more about the approximately 200 people in Carroll County who have disabilities that our agency serves. We'd like people in our community to see our individuals for their abilities, what all the can offer to society, as opposed to only focusing on the handicap."
Carroll Hills Program kicked off its month of special activities on March 1, and on March 4 the Carroll County commissioners will proclaim March officially as Developmental Disabilities Awareness Month.
To encourage community interaction, the Carroll Hills Cougars, Carroll Hills' Special Olympics basketball team, will play several games against a variety of area organizations.
The first of these games, against the Carrollton Village Fire Department, was on March 1. The Cougars will also play: the Carroll Hills Program staff, March 4 at 1 p.m.; the staff from St. John's Villa on both the 8th and a rematch on the 31st; the Carroll County Sheriff's Department on March 10; the Amish on March 16, and the Rotary Club of Carrollton on March 17. All games begin at 6:30 p.m. unless noted otherwise and are open to the public.
Many special activities scheduled at Carroll Hills School should make the month very exciting. The week of March 1 was Create-A-Look Week with pajama, hat, black-and-gold, inside-out and favorite-team days occurring.
Other special days will be observed, including "My Favorite Person Day" (scheduled by individual teachers), "Teacher for a Day," and "Lunch with the Principal."
Carroll Hills School is also planning a movie day on March 11 and a game day on March 29. "Miss Marcia" from the Carroll County library will be entertaining the students by conducting a reading and story time on March 25.
Carroll Hills Industries will also host exciting events such as providing musical programs on March 10 and 18. Pajama day is scheduled on March 24. To end the month on a positive note at Carroll Hills Industries, a DJ will provide some lively tunes on March 30 as everyone enjoys ice-cream sundaes.
Many other activities are planned for the balance of the month at all three Carroll Hills facilities. Program wide family and friends bowling sessions are scheduled for March 8, 15, and 22. Carroll Hills Idol, a talent for enrollees, will be presented on March 17, 1 p.m., in the Carroll Hills gym. A Saint Patrick's Day dance will be sponsored by the Carrollton Rotary on March 18, 6-9 p.m., for everyone enrolled in the Carroll Hills Program. Another event that can enjoyed by the entire community is a free concert featuring the Heavenly Metal Steel Drum Band on Saturday, March 13.
Last, but not least, during halftime of the rematch basketball game against the Villa, Mr. Campbell, Carroll Hills' superintendent, will be slimed by participants who collected a predetermined amount of box tops and Campbell soup labels.
DD Awareness Month activities will culminate March 23 with annual Carroll Hills Program Awards and Recognition Dinner, 6 p.m., at Day's Inn, Carrollton. During the dinner, staff members will be recognized for service to the Carroll Hills programs for five, 10, 15, 20, or 25 years. In addition, the following awards will be presented: Outstanding Business/Industry Support Award; Outstanding Service Award; Helen Eick Outstanding Volunteer Award; and Helen Eick Outstanding Employee Award.
Our newest award, now in its third year, is the Personal Achievement Award. It will be presented to a child or adult with developmental disabilities who has persevered and achieved in a specific area such as community employment, independent living, music and art, education, recreation, or community involvement.