Commissioners proclaim March DD Awareness Month

FINDLAY — March is Developmental Disabilities Awareness Month. In honor of the occasion, the Hancock County Board of Commissioners signed a proclamation Thursday. The Hancock County Board of Developmental Disabilities was founded in 1952 and, according to a Blanchard Valley Center webpage, "offers cradle to grave support for individuals with developmental disabilities in Hancock County … Our ultimate goal is to make sure that every person we support experiences the most fulfilling life possible." On Thursday, the signed proclamation said BVC currently supports approximately 900 people in the county with developmental disabilities. "The most effective way to increase this awareness is through everyone's active participation in community activities and openness to learn and acknowledge each individual's contribution," the proclamation reads. "Policies must be developed, attitude shaped and opportunities offered that allow people with disabilities to live as independently and productively as possible in our community … Furthermore, we encourage all citizens to join in this celebration by spreading awareness of the many contributions offered by people with developmental disabilities." Several staff members and clients of BVC were in attendance at the meeting and said the program to place people with developmental disabilities in the community workforce was going well. "Project Life is a program run by Blanchard Valley Center," Josh Teegardin, BVC transition coordinator, said Thursday. "We have young adults that go out and do different rotations throughout the year. We have rotations at the University of Findlay; we've been to the library; we go to GSW Manufacturing, Oler's … They go out for 12-week rotations and they learn job skills." Blanchard Valley Center will host a variety of events throughout the month including a basketball game where BVC athletes will take on "local celebrities," a fundraiser at Culver's, a pancake breakfast and more. Findlay City Council also signed a proclamation earlier this week in honor of awareness of the contributions of Hancock County residents with developmental disabilities.