Celebrations
We place high importance on the countless relationships we have built with individuals, community partners and organizations who share our mission of transforming lives of individuals with disabilities.
Awareness and support days and months are opportunities to raise awareness and generate conversation. They offer a dedicated time to share important stories and ultimately encourage a deeper understanding of the issues that affect our lives. Each celebration plays a critical role in uniting communities and igniting change. Find monthly events below related to disability and social initiatives.January
I Love Public Schools Day (third Wednesday in Jan.)
- Explores school-based services delivered to students in the public school systems, provided by occupational therapy, physical therapy and speech-language therapy professionals.
International Day of Acceptance (Jan. 20)
- A day dedicated to social acceptance of disability and to honor the late Annie Hopkins, founder of 3E Love and creator of the International Symbol of Acceptance.
February
- Celebrates achievements by African Americans and honor their too-often neglected contributions and legacy across U.S. history and society.
- Millions of people in the United States are living with a visual impairment that can’t be fixed with standard treatments, and vision rehabilitation services can improve quality of life and help maintain independence.
- Explore vision services at MMI.
National Recreational Therapy Month
- Celebrates and educates our communities about the power of recreational therapy.
- Explore recreational therapy services at MMI.
Random Acts of Kindness Week & Day
- Inspires and celebrates Random Acts of Kindness.
Rare Disease Day (last day of Feb.)
- Raises awareness and generate change for the 300 million people worldwide living with a rare disease, their families and caregivers.
- Explore genetic medicine services at MMI and read about the department joining the NORD Rare Disease Centers of Excellence network.
March
National Developmental Disabilities Awareness Month
- Raises awareness about people with developmental disabilities and the challenges that they sometimes still face when connecting to their communities.
- As part of a national resource for the support of individuals with developmental disabilities, many resources for the disability community are provided and funded by MMI's University Center for Excellence in Developmental Disabilities.
- Teaches the importance of making informed food choices and developing sound eating habits.
- Celebrate RDN Day and NDTR Day by recognizing Registered Dietitian Nutritionists and Nutrition and Dietetics Technicians, specialists who provide services at MMI in our departments of dietary health and wellness, genetic medicine and pediatric feeding disorders.
- Hospitals, schools, the federal, state and local levels of government, corporations, social service agencies and veterans' centers all employ social workers, who are particularly attuned to the needs of people who are vulnerable, oppressed and living in poverty.
- Social workers provide services at MMI through our care coordination program.
World Down Syndrome Day (Mar. 21)
- This day was chosen for World Down syndrome Day to represent the uniqueness of the triplication (trisomy) of the 21st chromosome, the genetic cause for Down syndrome. Many participate in Rock Your Socks for WDSD because chromosomes have a sock-like appearance.
- Explore genetic medicine services at MMI. Other services at MMI for individuals who have Down syndrome may include: dental, dietary health and wellness, icasd, occupational therapy, physical therapy, recreational therapy, speech-language therapy, and vision.
April
Autism Acceptance Month and World Autism Day
- Calls for education about autism spectrum disorder and the more critical factors of acceptance and integration of those in our community living with autism.
- Explore autism services at MMI.
- Honors the meaningful differences occupational therapy makes in the lives of our clients.
- Explore occupational therapy services at MMI.
May
- Raises awareness about communication disorders and the role of speech and language therapists in providing life-altering treatment.
- Explore speech and language services at MMI.
July
- Celebrates the achievements of people with disabilities, and fostering understanding.
- Aiming to promote and protect the human rights of people with intellectual and developmental disabilities, The Arc is the largest, national, community-based organization supporting people with IDD and serving them and their families.
National Cleft & Craniofacial Awareness Month
- Explore speech and language services at MMI.
August
National Immunization Awareness Month
- Highlights how important it is to be vaccinated at all ages, as the disability community is especially vulnerable because they often have many complex health needs which can compromise their immune system.
- Explore outpatient clinic services at MMI.
September
- Dedicated to sharing information to put a new parent's mind at ease when it comes to the safety of their new baby.
National Suicide Prevention Awareness Month
- Remembering the lives lost to suicide and those living with depression. Acknowledge the struggles that individuals, families and communities face, and ensure that individuals have access to the resources they need to discuss suicide prevention and to seek help.
- Explore behavioral health and psychology services at MMI.
October
- There is about a one in eight chance for a woman living in the United States to be diagnosed with breast cancer in her lifetime but early detection is often key to successful outcomes.
- Explore cancer genetics services at MMI.
- Promotes understanding and acceptance of all people, especially individuals with Down syndrome.
- Explore genetic medicine services at MMI. Other services at MMI for individuals who have Down syndrome may include: dental, dietary health and wellness, icasd, occupational therapy, physical therapy, recreational therapy, speech-language therapy, and vision.
International AAC Awareness Month
- Raises awareness of augmentative and alternative communication and to inform the public about the many different ways in which people communicate using AAC.
- Explore speech-language therapy and AAC services at MMI.
National Disability Employment Awareness Month
- Spreads valuable information about disability employment issues and also highlights the contributions that those living with disabilities have made to the workforce.
National Physical Therapy Month
- Raises awareness with the public about the many benefits of physical therapy and provides a great opportunity for MMI to appreciate how our PTs, PTAs and students transform lives.
- Explore physical therapy services at MMI.
- Wear and share orange to send a visible message of building commUNITY through kindness and acceptance to prevent bullying.
- Explore psychology services at MMI.
November
- Seizures impact lives in many ways including creating obstacles to employment and education, and individuals who experience seizures face a sense of isolation from their peers who donʼt understand what happens when they see a seizure occur.
Genetic Counselor Awareness Day (second Thursday in Nov.)
- Raises awareness and interest about genetic counselors in local communities and institutions, and helps consumers understand the important and supportive role genetic counselors can play as part of a health care team.
- Explore genetic medicine services at MMI.
National Alzheimer’s Disease Awareness Month
- Many but not all people with Down syndrome develop Alzheimer’s disease when they get older. This is a time to bring attention to the early signs of Alzheimer’s, like mild cognitive impairment.
Native American Heritage Month
- Pay tribute to the rich ancestry and traditions of Native American culture.
World Kindness Day (Nov. 13)
- Promotes the importance of being kind to each other, to yourself and to the world, with a purpose to help everyone understand that compassion for others is what binds us all together.
December
International Day of People with Disabilities (Dec. 3)
- Proclaimed in 1992 by the United Nations General Assembly resolution 47/3, this day aims to promote an understanding of disability issues and mobilize support for the dignity, rights and well-being of persons with disabilities.
Autism Acceptance Month
Join the Munroe-Meyer Institute and Autism Action Partnership in April as we celebrate Autism Acceptance Month and World Autism Day by promoting the acceptance and inclusion of individuals on the autism spectrum.
Down Syndrome Awareness Day and Month
On March 21st and the month of October, we celebrate the lives of individuals with Down syndrome and recognize their experiences and potential.
Flamingo Flocking for Developmental Disabilities Awareness
This fundraiser supports people with developmental disabilities and brings awareness to the barriers that they still sometimes face in connecting to the communities they live in.
National Disability Employment Awareness Month
This national campaign shares valuable information about disability employment issues and highlights the many contributions that those living with disabilities add to the workforce.