Hattie Larlham’s annual Yellow for Ability campaign celebrates National Developmental Disabilities Awareness Month throughout March. The campaign places an emphasis on what people CAN do, rather than focusing on their limitations. Hattie Larlham creates opportunities for Northeast and Central Ohio children and adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities to be active and valued members of their communities through the medical, residential, recreational, and employment services they provide.

“When Hattie Larlham launched the Yellow for Ability campaign in 2015, the intention was to share a message of empowerment and achievement,” said Hattie Larlham CEO Stephen Colecchi. “Every day, we see the people with intellectual and developmental disabilities we serve reaching new milestones, living full lives, and making valuable contributions to their communities and the workforce; we wanted to represent those abilities in a visually impactful way. Yellow is vibrant. Yellow is energetic. Yellow is the color of ability.”

DD month was first recognized in 1987 following a proclamation issued by President Ronald Reagan. The President sought to increase public awareness of the needs and potential of Americans with developmental disabilities. Throughout March, Hattie Larlham will shine the spotlight on the abilities of the people it serves by sharing their unique stories of success, achievement, and community involvement through their web and social media platforms.

Wear Yellow for Ability

On Tuesday, March 3rd, Hattie Larlham asks people to show their support of this campaign by wearing yellow for ability. A yellow garment or accessory is an impactful display of support for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities.

“Public support of people with intellectual and developmental disabilities is what creates inclusive and accepting communities and workplaces. Wearing yellow in support of people with disabilities is a powerful statement that encourages advocacy for the people we serve and their families,” Colecchi stated.

The Northeast Ohio community can share their support online to increase exposure of the campaign. People are encouraged to take a selfie while wearing yellow and post it to their social media accounts with the hashtag “#yellowforability.” Hattie Larlham will monitor its Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and LinkedIn accounts throughout the day to like, share and retweet social media posts.

Shining Bright in CLE

Hattie Larlham and K&D Real Estate will light up an iconic Cleveland landmark in honor of “Yellow For Ability” day on March 3rd. The Terminal Tower will glow yellow to represent the abilities of the 1,600 children and adults tHattie Larlham serves. K&D is a downtown Cleveland real estate services company. It manages the Terminal Tower and other prominent Cleveland buildings. K&D tweets Terminal Tower photos from the Twitter handle @TowerLightsCLE.

Support Abilities

The nation-wide observance is an opportunity to explore volunteer and donor opportunities with Hattie Larlham, helping to create opportunities for the people Hattie Larlham serves to discover their abilities. The organization offers individual, group and corporate volunteer programs, and event sponsorship and year-long corporate partnerships. People who would like to support disability programs can make a tax-deductible donation in honor of Developmental Disabilities Awareness month through a secure form at www.hattielarlham.org or by texting HATTIE to 41444.

Be sure to follow Hattie Larlham on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and LinkedIn to see all of the impactful stories we share in March and beyond.