ST. CLAIRSVILLE - As Developmental Disabilities Awareness month unfolds in March, the Belmont County Board of Developmental Disabilities (BCBDD) invites everyone to learn what people with developmental disabilities are capable of achieving.
 
The 2008 theme, “SUCCESS – When Doors Open, We Succeed” encourages everyone to welcome people with disabilities into their neighborhoods, workplaces, houses of worship and schools.
 
“We know that people with disabilities and their families want the same kind of life we all do,” said BCBDD Superintendent Monty Kerr. “When given the chance, they can and do succeed in school, on the job and everywhere else in between.”
 
Across Belmont County, people with disabilities are finding their place in the community. The Board of Developmental Disabilities is helping them do that and these efforts demonstrate the Board’s philosophy and mission.
 
“Our mission statement, “Encouraging, Respecting and Supporting People on Their Journey Through Life,” is in harmony with our philosophy to help people live self-determined lives. In the past, we were content to help people with disabilities just participate in the community in segregated settings and activities, but that isn’t good enough anymore,” Kerr said. “Everyone can play a part in helping them achieve their goals by opening doors of opportunity wherever they are found and discovering what people with disabilities have to offer.”
 
The Belmont County Board of Developmental Disabilities serves nearly 400 individuals with developmental disabilities like Down syndrome, cerebral palsy and autism. Services and supports are available for eligible individuals from infancy throughout a person’s entire life. For more information, call 740-695-7433 or log onto www.bcbdd.org
 
Published March 10, 2008
The Times Leader, Martins Ferry, Ohio