Advocacy groups are honoring Mississippians living with intellectual and developmental disabilities. MPB's Ashley Norwood reports on a new campaign to raise awareness.
Le'Ron Jackson was diagnosed with cerebral palsy at birth and is in a wheelchair. He is one of more than 47,000 people living in Mississippi with an intellectual or developmental disability. He works part-time as an advocate at a legal advocacy organization called Disability Rights Mississippi.
"Who better to fight for you than a person that's walked in your shoes versus a person that might not know how you feel or never went through some of the same struggles," said Jackson.
During the month of March, the Mississippi Department of Mental Health is raising awareness about people with intellectual and developmental disabilities and their involvement in their communities.
Molly Portera, with the Mississippi Department of Mental Health, says the campaign is the first of its kind.
"We think it's very important for everyone to have access to jobs and education and the communities of their choice. People with intellectual and developmental disabilities deserve to be respected and valued for their contribution," said Portera.
Jackson says he wants to do more to help his community.
"My future goal is to go back to school and go to law school and study civil rights law and just come back in the disability community and serve them in a different manner as an attorney," said Jackson.
March is National Intellectual and Developmental Disability Awareness Month. Ashley Norwood, MPB News.
