COAL GROVE — The Lawrence County Board of Developmental Disabilities is gearing up for the 2010 DD Awareness Month in March.

The county board will be hosting a number of public awareness events this year and the community is encouraged to participate and consider the true meaning of this year’s theme, “Just Like You.”

March is celebrated as DD Awareness Month to help the community realize the importance of the developmentally disabled as part of the community.

The statewide theme for this year’s activities focuses on peoples’ similarities rather than differences, and encourages people to welcome individuals with disabilities into their communities.

The DD March Madness Basketball Games, in which Open Door School, Tri-State Industries and members of the local media compete, and the Chili Fest and Craft Show are part of the annual festivities scheduled this year.

New events this year include displays throughout the county designed by students and teachers at the Lawrence County Early Childhood Center in South Point, and a Social Studies Fair and Dr. Suess Day at the Open Door School in Ironton.

Members of the public are encouraged to become involved with these new special events offering a closer look at two of the Lawrence County Board of DD programs.

“We are proud of how the community has supported DD Awareness events over the years,” said Paul B. Mollett, Superintendent. “It shows how strongly people in Lawrence County and across the Tri-State feel about celebrating the abilities of people with developmental disabilities,” Mollett concluded.

DD Awareness Events include:

Balloon Launch on March 1: 10 a.m. at the Open Door School in Ironton

Dr. Suess Day on March 2, throughout the day at Open Door School

Social Studies Fair at the Open Door School in Ironton on March 11 from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.

Chili Fest and Craft Show held in the Dawson Bryant High School Gym on March 20 from 11:00am – 3:00pm

March Madness Basketball Games held in the Dawson Bryant High School Gym on March 25 beginning at 6 p.m.

DD Food Drive and Eyeglasses collection at various locations in Lawrence County through March and April

The Lawrence County Board of DD serves more than 500 children and adults with developmental disabilities from throughout the county. Services include Service and Support Administration, early intervention for infants and toddlers (ages birth to three,) preschool services (ages 3-5,) the Open Door School (for students with multiple handicaps ages 6-21,) and employment, job training and other services for adults with DD through a collaborative arrangement with Tri-State Industries, Inc., a private, non-profit corporation.

For more information about DD Awareness Month, call or 740-532-7401.