Developmental disabilities are a group of conditions due to an impairment in physical, learning, language, or behavior areas that onset before adulthood. Learn more about heroes who happen to have developmental disabilities below.
Teachers: Visit the free Developmental Disabilities Awareness Month Lesson Plan for this film program. Includes discussion guide and learning outcomes.
Developmental Disabilities Awareness Film Program
These short films curated by MY HERO film festival director feature heroes who have a developmental disability.
The films below show us common misunderstandings about disabilities, and how society's attitudes towards disabilities have changed.
We also see how our heroes with developmental disabilities are unique individuals who live an empowered life.
Watch these films and feel inspired and empowered to overcome obstacles in your own life and reach for worthy goals.
Global Dance Heroes highlights two dance instructors who teach ballet to youth with Down syndrome.
Learn about Developmental Disabilities through Art
Learn about Developmental Disabilities through Hero Essays
These hero essays highlight those with developmental disabilities who not only push against odds but also uplift their communities.
Nick Vujicic, born with no arms or legs, was not allowed to enter mainstream school due to Australian laws. He became one of the first to do so, later receiving his bachelor’s degree in Accounting and Financial Planning.
Vikas Khanna "was born with misaligned legs and in his teenage years he met with an eye accident which left him partially blind in his left eye...he went on to become one of the most celebrated chefs in the U.S."
Melissa Blake is a journalist with Freeman Sheldon Syndrome whose abilities are questioned based on her looks. After her body positivity tweet went viral, she now is leading a movement in self-acceptance called #mybestselfie.
Lewis Carroll, author of the classic Alice in Wonderland, struggled with stuttering throughout his life, as did most of his family.
The following story has a link so you can hear the audio as you read. Great for ESL students!
Family Member Heroes With Developmental Disabilities
Thanks to Nella Virga's efforts, her daughter was the first child under the age of two to receive a cochlear implant. Virga later opened her own hearing clinic and received the Trademark Woman of Distinction Honors Award.
Chen Guangcheng was blinded as an infant and has worked tirelessly both for disability rights and reproductive rights in China.
Developmental Disabilities Awareness Month | The National Association of Councils on Developmental Disabilities Website
NACDD is the national association for the 56 Councils on Developmental Disabilities (DD Councils) across the United States and its territories. The DD Councils receive federal funding to support programs that promote self-determination, integration and inclusion for all people in the United States with developmental disabilities.
The Yale Center for Dyslexia
The mission is to increase awareness of dyslexia and its true nature, specifically to illuminate the creative and intellectual strengths of those with dyslexia, to disseminate the latest scientific research and practical resources, and to transform the treatment of all dyslexic children and adults.
The Arc
The Arc promotes and protects the human rights of people with intellectual and developmental disabilities and actively supports their full inclusion and participation in the community throughout their lifetimes.
"March Is Developmental Disabilities Awareness Month - Advances and Setbacks." Essay by Robert B. Fleming, CELA
The Special Needs Alliance (SNA) is a national organization comprised of attorneys dedicated to the practice of disability and public benefits law.
Learn about a New Hero Every Day of the Year: Visit the MY HERO Calendar
Share Your Hero Essays, Films and Art through our Create Program
Outstanding essays submitted to MY HERO will be considered for a certificate/t-shirt prize or be featured on the Story Homepage.
Submit your artwork to be entered in the MY HERO art contest or to be exhibited on our Gallery Homepage.
Students can submit their films for free with a waiver to the MY HERO International Film Festival.
Hero Stories curated by MY HERO General Editor and Writer Abigail Richardson. |
Short films curated by MY HERO International Film Festival director Wendy Milette. |
Organizer created on 1/9/2013 11:41:39 AM by Becky Miller
Last edited 2/7/2024 12:52:02 PM by Abigail Richardson