The late President Ronald Reagan proclaimed in 1987 that the month of March would serve as the National Developmental Disabilities Awareness Month. In his proclamation, Reagan stated “Americans are becoming increasingly aware that such disabilities need not keep individuals from realizing their full potential in school, at work or at home, as members of their families and of their communities. I urge all Americans to join me in according to our fellow citizens with such disabilities both encouragement and the opportunities they need to lead productive lives and to achieve their full potential.”