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PARKERSBURG -- The Wood County Society will celebrate Developmental Disabilities Month in March.
Designated by the National Association of Councils, Developmental Disabilities Month celebrates and raises awareness about the inclusion of people with developmental disabilities in all facets of community life and awareness of the barriers people with disabilities continue to face in connecting to the communities where they live, Brandon Gress, executive director of Wood County Society, said.
"Wood County Society's mission of broadening opportunities for all individuals with disabilities throughout our region is at the core, the most important aspect of our work, our programs, resources and our education that we provide," Gress said.
For 62 years, Wood County Society has provided opportunities to highlight the importance of inclusion of all people with disabilities in the community by providing access to programming and resources.
Raising awareness is among ways Wood County Society meets the challenges the community faces to providing true inclusive opportunities for individuals with disabilities, he said.
However, "rising up is not just about bringing awareness in regard to people with developmental disabilities -- it is our responsibility to provide advocacy and education," Gress said. "In doing so, we connect families and clients to resources while providing them the best options for continued education and personal growth."
Wood County Society has events throughout March to highlight the organization's impact in the region through the vital programs and resources to engage the Mid-Ohio Valley in its grassroots movement to provide true inclusive opportunities, advocacy, and education for our communities to unite so that all individuals are recognized for their abilities, he said.
* Monday: Wood County Society will provide Disability Awareness and Inclusion Books in its Little Free Library.
* Friday: Wood County Society will host "A Night with the Stars," a virtual event at 7:30 p.m. with Luke Frazier, maestro for the American Pop Orchestra, featuring world renowned Broadway performances. Like and follow Wood County Society on social media for more information.
* March 12: Virtual Training Series with Astrive Advocacy, "Special Education: Navigating IEP's or 504 Plans," 9-11 a.m. Registration required at www.astrive.org.
* March 15-17: Spring Open House at the Artbeat Studio's Art from the Heart Shop featuring new products from Artbeat Studio Artists from 9 a.m.-3 p.m. each day.
* March 19: Wood County Society will kick off its Annual Hat Day/Crazy Sock Campaign to promote inclusion and disability awareness in schools.
* March 20: Wood County Society will host "Hippity Hop Sensitive Easter Bunny" 9:30 a.m.-1 p.m. at Wood County Society. Social Distancing and mask requirement. Registration required. Go to www.woodcountysociety.com for more information.
* March 21: Wood County Society will celebrate National Down Syndrome Awareness Day-Rock Your Socks Event to signify the uniqueness of the triplication (trisomy) of the 21st chromosome which causes Down Syndrome. Ways to Celebrate: wear fun, bright, funky, and mismatched colored socks to start a conversation about Down Syndrome. Send your pictures to admin@woodcountysociety.com to join our movement!
* March 24: Virtual Training Series in with Astrive Advocacy, 9-11 a.m., "Transition from High School and Beyond." Registration required at astrive.org.
* March 28: To officially end the month, the Wood County Society Annual Telethon will broadcast live 12:30-6:30 p.m. on WTAP. Hosted by the Parkersburg Country Club.
Financial contributions, which remain here, can be made to the Wood County Society at woodcountysociety.com/give. Wood County Society provides programs and resources to individuals with disabilities in 11 counties, Wood, Jackson, Roane, Calhoun, Ritchie, Wirt, Tyler, Pleasants, Athens, Meigs and Washington counties.
For more information, call Wood County Society at 304-428-4280, email director@woodcountysociety.com, go to www.woodcountysociety.com or follow Wood County Society on social media.