Annual awareness observances are sponsored by federal, health and non-profit organizations. Awareness campaigns serve the purpose of informing and educating people on a certain causes. Each year, the number of special needs organizations bringing awareness to specific disabilities and disorders seem to grow. Awareness activities range from one day to a month.
Here is a calendar of major special needs awareness months, weeks, and days. Most websites include awareness toolkits, promotional materials and fact sheets. Since it is still early in the year, some of the campaigns still have 2017 campaigns on their websites. I will add new information once the changes are up on the websites.
January
January 24- Moebius Syndrome Awareness Day
February
February 15- International Angelman Day
March
Cerebral Palsy Awareness Month
Developmental Disabilities Awareness Month
March 1- International Wheelchair Day
March 20- Brain Injury Awareness Day
March 21- World Down Syndrome Day
March 26- Purple Day for Epilepsy
April
April 2- World Autism Awareness Day
May
Better Hearing and Speech Month
National Asthma and Allergy Awareness Month
Williams Syndrome Awareness Month
May 1- Global Developmental Delay Day
May 15- Tuberous Sclerosis Global Awareness Day
May 5-12- Cri du Chat Awareness Week
May 8-14- Brain Injury Awareness Week
June
June 23- Dravet Syndrome Awareness Day (Canada)
Tourette Syndrome Awareness Month
July
July 15- Disability Pride Parade (NY)
July 15- Disability Awareness Day (UK)
July 22- National Fragile X Awareness Day
September
Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy Awareness
Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Syndrome Awareness Month
National Spinal Cord Awareness Month
September 7- World Duchenne Awareness Day
September 9- Fetal Alcohol Awareness Day
October
National Disability Employment Awareness Month
National Dyslexia Awareness Month
Occupational Therapy Awareness Month
October 6- World Cerebral Palsy Day
October 14-20 Invisible Disabilities Week
National Physical Therapy Month
November
November 7- National Stress Awareness Day
November 15- World Ohtahara Syndrome Awareness Day
December
December 3- International Day of Persons with Disabilities
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November is Color the World Orange month for RSD/CRPS!
Thanks for sharing such an informative post, it is really going to help people with developmental disabilities. I want you to update the calendar for the upcoming year i.e 2019. Please also share the list of such communities which are providing Developmental Disability Support for the needy people. Thanks!!
Thanks Sara, If you know of any additional links, please share. I would love to add them to the resource page.
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