March is National Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities (IDD) Awareness (NIDDA) Month. Meant to create awareness about the importance of including people with IDD in all facets of community life, Mosaic in Omaha will kick off its own NIDDA educational and awareness campaign with the theme, “Belonging Matters.”
Mosaic (mosaicinfo.org) is a nonprofit, whole-person healthcare organization that supports people with intellectual and developmental disabilities and other diverse needs across 12 states in more than 750 communities. As its mission is to “relentlessly pursue opportunities that empower people,” Mosaic’s ultimate goal is to help people it serves to have full, meaningful lives and to make their own choices that reflect their personal goals and aspirations.
“A large part of helping people with IDD and other diverse needs to fully lead the lives they choose is by advocating community participation. Equal belonging matters not only to the people we support, it also matters to our communities as a whole,” said State Operations Director for Nebraska Rochelle Cross. “Social welcoming of diverse people creates a harmonious, vibrant society where everyone’s participation and contribution matters and is respected. “In order for us to help those we support to equally participate in their communities, we greatly depend on and want to inspire potential community partners such as businesses, churches, charities, civic organizations and others to employ them, include them in worship, offer volunteer and group recreation opportunities and more. Those partners make a real, positive impact on their lives and the community as a whole—so much so, you can see it,” added Cross.
To find out more about how partnering with Mosaic helps people with IDD become active in their communities in varying ways, contact Angie Tunink at (402) 315-4302 or at angela.tunink@mosaicinfo.org or visit mosaicinfo.org/nidda-month.
In addition, Mosaic in Omaha is hosting a free, one-hour Discover The Possibilities event on March 12 at 9 a.m. or 11:30 a.m. Members of the community are invited to participate in the event.