National Developmental Disabilities Awareness Month 2025
Every March, alongside the National Association of Councils on Developmental Disabilities (NACDD) we recognize National Developmental Disabilities Awareness Month—a time to celebrate the contributions of individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities and advocate for greater inclusion in all aspects of life.
We’re Here All Year
This year’s theme, We’re Here All Year, emphasizes that community accessibility and opportunities for people with developmental disabilities should be recognized and championed every day—not just in March.
“This month reminds us that individuals with developmental disabilities are valuable members of our communities and deserve full participation in all aspects of life, including education, employment, recreation, and civic engagement” (NACDD, 2025).
Expanding Our Impact With Employment Opportunities
In light of this year’s NDDAM theme, TNC Community is preparing to bring new employment opportunities for individuals with disabilities to Kansas City. Meaningful employment provides so much more than just a paycheck—it fosters new levels of independence, confidence, and community engagement. Despite an advanced society, people with disabilities continue to face barriers to employment. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics in 2023, only 22.5% of people with a disability were employed, while the employment-population ratio for those without a disability was 65.8%.
At TNC Community, we are committed to changing that by creating more opportunities for individuals with disabilities to gain job skills, career experience, and the chance to contribute to their communities. This spring, we’re taking a major step forward with the launch of Howdy Homemade Ice Cream in Lee’s Summit—an exciting new venture dedicated to employment inclusion.
A Sweet Opportunity for Inclusion
TNC Community is excited to bring Howdy Homemade Ice Cream to Lee’s Summit this spring—a business built on a mission of employment inclusion and empowerment. This inspiring initiative will provide individuals with disabilities the opportunity to work in a welcoming environment, develop new skills, and engage with the community.
At Howdy Homemade Ice Cream, our employees, who we call “heroes,” will receive hands-on training, customer service experience, and job coaching, ensuring they have the tools to succeed in the workplace. This venture is a major step forward in creating a more inclusive workforce in Kansas City and we need your help to make it happen! Creating opportunities takes an investment in our community and we’re asking for your support to make this dream a reality.
How You Can Support
You can make a difference in the lives of individuals with disabilities locally by making a donation to fund:
❤️ Training programs for people with IDD to achieve purposeful work.
❤️ Ice cream shop build-out and essential equipment needed to transform our space into a vibrant, functional shop. This includes items such as a walk-in freezer, commercial ice cream maker, dipping well, and catering essentials.
❤️ Signage and technology to create an inviting atmosphere and employee- and customer-friendly systems for optimal success and a “sweet” experience.
Together, we can break down barriers and create a more inclusive workforce where everyone has the opportunity to succeed with the launch of Howdy Homemade Ice Cream right here in our local community!
Support the mission—donate today!