Statement from New York State Health Commissioner Dr. James McDonald on Developmental Disabilities Awareness Month

ALBANY, N.Y. (March 26, 2024) - "As we recognize Developmental Disabilities Awareness Month, the State Health Department continues to work diligently to ensure people with intellectual or developmental disabilities have access to programs and services that will help give them an opportunity to thrive in their communities.

The National Association of Councils on Developmental Disabilities is calling this year's observance of Developmental Disabilities Awareness Month 'A World of Opportunities.'

And while we celebrate this year's theme of opportunities and endless possibilities for people with intellectual or developmental disabilities, we also must acknowledge they experience higher rates of chronic conditions such as heart disease and diabetes and are more likely to be diagnosed with depression and experience mental distress than adults without a disability.

To ensure we address and work to overcome these additional challenges for people with disabilities, the Department partners with care coordination organizations that implement screening tools and knowledge assessments to determine gaps in care and refer individuals to needed preventive health, health promotion, and mental health services.

The Department is also working with several community-based organizations to implement a wellness promotion program called Living Well in the Community, which is designed to help individuals with disabilities find ways to improve self-care and incorporate more healthy habits in their lifestyles.

Our ongoing efforts to increase disability awareness include the 2023 launch of the 'Disability Etiquette' training module, which seeks to educate New Yorkers on how to increase disability awareness, accessibility, and inclusion in public health programming. The training providesinformation, tools, and strategies that can be utilized by anyone to ensure facilities, programs, environments, policies, and procedures are accessible and inclusive for everyone.

Additionally, the Department and the Office for People with Developmental Disabilities (OPWDD) have a number of important priorities and initiatives to address dental and preventive care, and health equity work.

Executive Deputy Commissioner Johanne Morne and I covered those critical subjects and more on the recent New York Public Health Now podcast with OPWDD Commissioner Kerri Neifeld, which you can listen to on the Department's website.

Along with the work done with OPWDD, the Department recently collaborated with the University at Albany, School of Public Health, on a Public Health Live!webcast focused on increasing care for people with intellectual or developmental disabilities. The recording can be found here.

We will continue to expand and enhance our efforts to create 'A World of Opportunities' so all New Yorkers can do well and succeed."