Governor Newsom proclaims Developmental Disabilities Awareness Month

SACRAMENTO - Governor Gavin Newsom today issued a proclamation declaring March 2026 as "Developmental Disabilities Awareness Month."

The text of the proclamation and a copy can be found below:

PROCLAMATION

California is proud to join states around the country, raising awareness about the many ways in which people with intellectual and developmental disabilities contribute to strong, diverse communities across our state. This March, we shine a light on the work underway to drive the inclusion of people with intellectual and developmental disabilities and reaffirm our collective commitment to breaking down the barriers they face in connecting to the communities where they live.

Over the last decade, California has worked to provide the nearly 500,000 people with intellectual and developmental disabilities with the resources and support they need to live and thrive in the community. We are the only state that provides developmental services as an entitlement and prioritize home and community-based care - avoiding institutional settings. We support strong career pathways for those with intellectual and developmental disabilities through investments in education, new laws encouraging earlier career planning, and ending sub-minimum wage.

California is also building a more accountable, transparent, and person-centered developmental disability services system informed by the Master Plan for Developmental Services: A Community Driven Vision. The Master Plan recognizes that California's developmental services system is deeply connected to other health and social systems. It seeks to create and strengthen bridges between critical systems across the state and other systems and services, including education, housing, employment, transportation, and public safety. We're centralizing service provider information in a first-ever state directory so families can find services more easily.

We are taking a whole-of-government approach, one driven by communities themselves and delivered in partnership with the private sector, to realize a more equitable, person-centered, and data-driven developmental services system. We'll continue working across sectors and disciplines to ensure that all Californians with intellectual and developmental disabilities can thrive and contribute to all facets of life in their neighborhoods and communities. And this month, we also take the opportunity to celebrate the value and gifts that people with intellectual and developmental disabilities contribute to the Golden State.

NOW THEREFORE I, GAVIN NEWSOM, Governor of the State of California, do hereby proclaim March 2026, as "Developmental Disabilities Awareness Month."

IN WITNESS WHEREOF I have hereunto set my hand and caused the Great Seal of the State of California to be affixed this 11^th day of March 2026.

GAVIN NEWSOM
Governor of California

ATTEST:
SHIRLEY N. WEBER, Ph.D.
Secretary of State