House Bill 15: This resolution will designate the month of March as Developmental Disability Awareness Month in a special effort to help people recognize and understand the obstacles and lifestyles of Alaska citizens who experience developmental disabilities. This resolution coincides with President Ronald Reagan's national designation of March as Developmental Disability Awareness Month in 1983.

An estimated 12,000 Alaskans with developmental disabilities experience severe and/or multiple disabilities which are often present at birth and are permanent. These are people with capabilities, competencies, personal needs and preferences. Recognizing March as Developmental Disabilities Awareness Month offers an opportunity for improving the quality of life of people with developmental disabilities in the hope that the barriers and fears that affect their everyday lives can be replaced with awareness and understanding.

Progress continues to be made due, in large part, to the caring people of the Key Campaign. This is a state-wide network of community providers of services, consumers, parents and guardians of people with disabilities, parent organizations, protection and advocacy groups, independent living centers, vocational rehabilitation centers, residential agencies and private citizens who share the unified belief in community-based services.

With the governor's signature on this resolution, the members of the Twenty-First Alaska State Legislature will join the Alaska Key Campaign and all the caring service providers in the state of Alaska in recognizing March as a time specifically set aside to acknowledge those with developmental disabilities and by recognizing these citizens as full members of the family of Alaska.