Sun staff
March, 2015, was named Developmental Disabilities Awareness Month by the Clermont County Commissioners on Feb. 25.
“We need to eliminate the first three letters and take a hold of the last seven letters of disabilities, we need to recognize the abilities of people,” Commissioner Ed Humphrey said he learned from a presentation he saw in Washington D.C.
Humphrey read the resolution, which said all people are important to an inclusive community and the U.S. workforce is noteworthy for its diversity.
The proclamation states that giving all Americans, including those with disabilities, the chance to thrive will make Clermont County businesses better.
“Employment is the key to economic security for Americans, and it is up to all of us—the county and community leaders, employers and people with disabilities—to break down the attitude barriers and open business doors to let people with disabilities in,” Humphrey read.
Dan Ottke, the Clermont Board of Developmental Disabilities superintendent, Emily Chesnut, parent and volunteer board member, and Chesnut’s son, Evan, and twin daughters, Nora and Katie, came to accept the proclamation. Nora was born with Down syndrome.
“We are so thankful this morning to the commissioners for this honor and this proclamation,” Ottke said.a