DC Chapter American Academy of Pediatrics

Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Statement

As health care providers dedicated to promoting the health and wellness of pediatric populations and pediatricians in the District of Columbia, the DC Chapter of the American Academy of Pediatrics understands the direct impact of systemic racism on the communities in which we serve. As healthcare providers dedicated to promoting the health and wellness of the pediatric population in the District of Columbia, the DC AAP is committed to advancing the care of ALL children. We understand that we cannot accomplish this goal without tackling systemic racism and the many forms it shows up in the lives of the children for which we care.
As health care providers dedicated to promoting the health and wellness of pediatric populations and pediatricians in the District of Columbia, the DC Chapter of the American Academy of Pediatrics understands the direct impact of systemic racism on the communities in which we serve. As healthcare providers dedicated to promoting the health and wellness of the pediatric population in the District of Columbia, the DC AAP is committed to advancing the care of ALL children. We understand that we cannot accomplish this goal without tackling systemic racism and the many forms it shows up in the lives of the children for which we care.
DC AAP aims to foster an environment that supports people of all races, ethnicities, and cultures. The chapter aims to support systems that enable equitable access to resources so that our patients and members can thrive. DC AAP also endorses professional workshops and continuing learning opportunities that highlight programs that are diverse, equitable and inclusive.
Through advocacy, education, and support, we will strive to create a more equitable world for our patients. We will advocate locally and nationally to improve policies to ensure all our children have equal access to healthcare. We will educate our patients and our community to ensure we are delivering high quality equitable care through programs that are diverse, equitable and inclusive.

March is Developmental Disabilities Awareness Month

President Ronald Reagan designated March as Developmental Disabilities Awareness Month in 1987, to increase awareness of the “needs and the potential of Americans with developmental disabilities”. This was followed in 1990 with a federal civil rights law, the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). Its purpose is to prohibit discrimination and access to opportunities on the basis of disability. It applies to areas of life such as employment, access to state and local government programs, public businesses, transportation, and telecommunication.

Every March, the National Association of Councils on Developmental Disabilities (NACDD) celebrates Developmental Disabilities Awareness Month with events and a social media campaign. The purpose is to highlight and celebrate people with developmental disabilities and the positive impact they make in their communities. The theme for March 2023 is “Beyond the Conversation”. The campaign’s goal centers around inclusion and building awareness of how people with and without disabilities form strong communities together. They also seek to educate the public about the barriers still faced by people with disabilities within their communities. #DDAM2023

Importance

The CDC estimates that 1 in 6 children have one or more conditions considered a developmental disability or developmental delay. As defined by the CDC, developmental disabilities are a “group of conditions due to impairments in physical, learning, language, or behavior areas.” They include:

  • Autism spectrum disorders
  • Cerebral palsy
  • Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder
  • Learning or intellectual disabilities
  • Hearing loss
  • Vision impairment
  • Other developmental delays

Ways to Continue the Conversation

For More Information

Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Training

Project Implicit – A Harvard self evaluation: Implicit Association Test (IAT) – Link

Maryland Behavioral Health Integration in Pediatric Primary Care – Link