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National Developmental Disability Professionals Day is July 15th!

Developmental disability professionals ensure that people are living full, meaningful lives. Their work is all about helping others, but on July 15, the day will be devoted to recognizing them.

Developmental disability professionals go by many names - QIDPs, Service Coordinators, and Case Managers to name just a few. Regardless of their formal title, developmental disability professionals assist people with developmental disabilities through facilitating the provision of residential services, creating employment opportunities, serving as behavior analysts, coordinating medical services and much more.

“Developmental disability professionals are like so many other workers in the field of human services in that their work, while appreciated, often goes without formal recognition,” said Connie Melvin, Executive Director of NAQ. “Now, more than ever, it is important to recognize everything these folks do. Developmental disability professionals have stepped up to face the multitude of challenges associated with the COVID-19 pandemic, often with great personal sacrifice,” Melvin added.

NAQ encourages people who know, work with or receive support from a developmental disability professional to individually recognize that person on July 15 by writing a thank-you card, recording a video thanking them or sending them a small, meaningful gift. NAQ also encourages employers of developmental disability professionals to individually recognize their staff members; have celebrations for them, if possible; and provide them with or send them to training opportunities so that they may grow their skill sets.

“Developmental disability professionals provide services to some of the most vulnerable people in our country,” Melvin said. “They do so because they recognize that all people are an inherently valuable and an important part of the fabric of our communities. Developmental disability professionals are resilient in times of challenge, uncompromising in the provision of outstanding supports and tenacious advocates for positive change. They have played a critical part in advancing the rights of people with developmental disabilities and deserve recognition for their tireless efforts to this end.”

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