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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
MARCH IS DESIGNATED AS MENTAL RETARDATION AWARENESS MONTH
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March 22, 2004 – MONTGOMERY – March marks National Mental
Retardation Awareness Month. Our focus is on increasing
understanding and reducing stigma through community
education. This focus promotes public awareness of mental
retardation and helps educate the community about the unique
needs and issues that affect people with mental retardation.
“We work to have every child and adult with mental
retardation included in the life of their community,” said
Arc of Alabama Executive Director, Thomas Holmes. “We urge
people to support efforts that enable people with
disabilities to live full and productive lives of inclusion
within our communities.”
There are more than 7.2 million people in the U.S. who have
mental retardation according to the Arc/US, the sponsors of
National Mental Retardation Awareness Month. Mental
retardation is a life-long cognitive disability that is
present from childhood. People with mental retardation
typically have an IQ below 70-75 and have significant
limitations in two or more adaptive skill areas. People with
mental retardation can make valuable contributions to
society when given learning opportunities and appropriate
support. Joe Meadours, Director, of the Office of Consumer
Empowerment for the DMH/MR Mental Retardation Services
Division says, “In the past we haven’t had opportunities for
acceptance and growth. Today we have some opportunities, but
tomorrow we will have many opportunities to grow and be
included in the everyday life of our communities.”
Fear is often alleviated and stigma reduced when the
community is educated about mental retardation. This
disability crosses all racial, social, and economic lines
and can occur in any family. Two known causes of mental
retardation are the genetic conditions of Down Syndrome and
Fragile X. Other causes include the following: Use of
alcohol or drugs by the pregnant mother, complications at
birth, childhood diseases (chicken pox, measles, HIV),
environmental health hazards, and serious injury to the
brain.
Good prenatal care during a woman’s pregnancy and other
intervention methods can reduce the chance of mental
retardation. Also, preventive interventions such as child
safety seats and bicycle helmets can significantly reduce
head trauma. Through state contract providers, the DMH/MR
serves over 12,000 people with mental retardation every year
in communities across the state.
For more information about mental retardation and Mental
Retardation Awareness Month, visit the Arc website at
http://www.thearc.org or
look in the Division of Mental Retardation Services at
http://www.mh.state.al.us.
Information about mental retardation services in the state
of Alabama and the Office of Consumer Empowerment can also
be obtained by contacting the DMH/MR Mental Retardation
Services Division at (334) 242-3701. |
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