SARATOGA SPRINGS, NY (March 3, 2026) — March marks National Developmental Disabilities Awareness Month, a month-long celebration of inclusion and the many contributions made by people with developmental disabilities to communities across New York state.
In a message kicking off this year’s observance, Willow Baer, commissioner, said the celebration of Disability Pride honors “people that dare to be themselves and to be proud of it, because New York is a state that welcomes everyone.”
To begin the festivities, Baer said she joined self-advocates, New York State’s Chief Disability Officer and the commissioner of the Office of Parks, Recreation, and Historic Preservation to raise the Disability Pride flag at Saratoga Spa State Park.
The park was selected, she said, because of “the incredible renovations happening at the Saratoga Spa State Park to make it more accessible for people with disabilities.”
Among the projects highlighted were accessible playgrounds added to the interior courtyard of Lincoln Bathhouse and near the Creekside Classroom, as well as a self-guided, parkwide mineral springs audio tour designed specifically for accessibility for those with visual impairments.
Baer said the newly announced renovations are “prime examples of what happens when we have leaders like Governor Kathy Hochul, who values inclusion and champions initiatives like ‘These Lands are For Everyone.’”
Throughout March, the New York State Office for People With Developmental Disabilities will introduce individuals with developmental disabilities who are “daring to dispel ableist stereotypes by achieving their personal goals and contributing to their communities,” Baer said.
Last year’s observance featured people who “dared to be themselves by following their dreams, expressing themselves, and educating others in the process.” This year, the campaign will highlight individuals “who will remind you of the power of visibility and motivate you to dare to be yourself and to be proud of who you are,” she said.
“I look forward to taking this journey together,” Baer wrote in closing.
This article was prepared with the assistance of AI tools under the direction and editing of Robert Cox.