CIVITAN AWARENESS MONTH – APRIL 2024 TOOLKIT 

Background: Civitan International, a global service organization serving individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD), proudly recognizes April as Civitan Awareness Month!

Resources for Promotion: (Click any of these links below to download materials)

More information or tools needed? Email Brittney Knox-Mensah at brittney@civitan.org

 

CLERGY APPRECIATION WEEK: February 3rd – 10th , 2024

Background: Civitan International, a global service organization serving individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD), proudly recognizes Clergy Appreciation Week from February 3rd through February 10th.  Since 1963, Civitan clubs worldwide have set aside a week in February of each year to honor local faith leaders for their acts of service. The project was inspired by the story of the Four Chaplains. On February 3, 1943, four military chaplains—a Methodist minister, a Catholic priest, a Reformed minister, and a Jewish rabbi—sacrificed their lives in service to others on board the USS Dorchester. The troop transport ship, in route to Greenland, was hit by a torpedo. The four chaplains, George L. Fox, Alexander D. Goode, John P. Washington, and Clark V. Poling removed their life jackets to give to other passengers and locked arms in prayer for the safety of others as the ship submerged into the icy waters.

Resources for Promotion: (Click any of these links below to download materials)

More information or tools needed? Email Brittney Knox-Mensah at brittney@civitan.org

 

WORLD DUCHENNE AWARENESS DAY: SEPTEMBER 7, 2023

How Can Civitans Participate in the World Duchenne Awareness Day?

  • Make a club donation that supports programs for individuals with Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy in their community
  • Invite someone who supports programs that focus on  Duchenne awareness to your club meeting to speak about what it is like to operate in a world with Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy and how you and your club can make a difference.
  • Post the available Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy post created for you on your personal and club social media pages.
    Download a Social Media-ready image to use here (1)
    Example Caption:
    Today is World Duchenne Awareness Day. Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy is a rare degenerative Neuromuscular Disorder that occurs in every 1 in 3500 to 5000 males born worldwide. On this day we want to bring awareness to the individuals that move through the world with this disorder and how we can better support them.
  • Visit https://www.worldduchenneday.org for more information on the ADA Anniversary, including more ideas on how to take part

AMERICANS WITH DISABILITIES ACT ANNIVERSARY: JULY 26, 2023

How Can Civitans Participate in the ADA Anniversary?

  • Make a club donation that supports programs in your local community that works to make the community more accessible and inclusive to people with disabilities.
  • Invite someone who supports programs that focus on accessibility and inclusion to your club meeting to speak about what it is like to operate in a world without accessibility and inclusion and how you and your club can make a difference.
  • Post the available ADA Anniversary post created for you on your personal and club social media pages.
    Download a Social Media-ready image to use here (1)
    Example Caption:
    Today we celebrate the signing of the Americans with Disabilities Act which was signed into law 33 years ago on July 26, 1990. Let us celebrate how far the country and the world have come in making society a more accessible and inclusive environment for those with disabilities while also shining a light on the work still needed. 
  • Visit https://adata.org/ada-anniversary for more information on the ADA Anniversary, including more ideas on how to take part

ALZHEIMER’S & BRAIN AWARENESS MONTH: JUNE 1, 2023 – JUNE 30, 2023

How Can Civitans Participate in the Alzheimer’s & Brain Awareness Month?

  • Make a club donation that supports programs and organizations which contribute to Alzheimer’s research and support.
  • Invite someone who supports programs that focus on research of Alzheimer’s and support of those with Alzheimer’s to speak on how your club can better help and support those with Alzheimer’s.
  • Post the available Alzheimer’s & Brain Awareness post created for you on your personal and club social media pages.
    Download a Social Media-ready image to use here (1)
    Download a Social Media-ready image to use here (2)
    Example Caption:
    During the month of June, we will shine a light on Alzheimer’s & Brain Awareness Month. Did you know that according to the CDC approximately 5.7 million Americans are affected by Alzheimer’s? During this month we are showing support for those who have Alzheimer’s and those that provide support for Alzheimer’s patients. 
  • Visit  https://www.alz.org/abam/overview.asp#takeActionBox for more information on the ADA Anniversary, including more ideas on how to take part

GLOBAL ACCESSIBILITY AWARENESS DAY: MAY 19, 2023
Global Accessibility Awareness Day is celebrated in order to shine a light on conversations about digital access and inclusion.

How Can Civitans Participate in Global Accessibility Awareness Day?

  • Participate by writing a blog post or an article for a club newsletter informing members about digital accessibility and how they can help.
  • Make a club donation that supports programs in your local community that works to make their community more digitally accessible.
  • Invite someone who supports programs that focus on digital accessibility to your club meeting to speak about what it is like to operate in a world without digital accessibility and how you and your club can make a difference.
  • Post the available Global Accessibility Awareness Day post created for you on your personal and club social media pages.
    Download a Social Media-ready image to use here (1)
    Example Caption:
    Today is Global Accessibility Awareness Day. Did you know that one of the most common accessibility failures is website home pages with low-contrast text, approximately 86.3% of home pages tested have this issue?  Issues like this and others are why bringing awareness to digital access and inclusion for those with disabilities today and every day is so important. 
  • Visit https://accessibility.day/ for more information on Global Accessibility Awareness Day, including more ideas on how to take part

WORLD PARKINSON’S DAY: April 11, 2023

How Can Civitans Participate in World Parkinson’s Day?

  • Make a club donation that supports programs in your local community serving those with Parkinson’s
  • Plan a service project for an organization in your community serving those with Parkinson’s
  • Invite someone with Parkison’s or someone who supports programs for those with Parkison’s to your club meeting to speak about what it is like to live with Parkinson’s, misconceptions, how you can help, etc.
  • Post the available World Parkinson’s Day Day post created for you on your personal and club social media pages.
    Download a Social Media-ready image to use here (1)
    Download a Social Media-ready image to use here (2)
    Example Caption:
    Today is World Parkinson’s Day! Did you know approximately 60,000 Americans are diagnosed with Parkinson’s Disease each year? Please use this day to bring awareness and offer support to those with Parkinson’s. 
  • Visit https://www.apdaparkinson.org/  for more information on World Parkinson’s Day including more ideas on how to take part.

AUTISM AWARENESS DAY: APRIL 2, 2023
Light It Up Blue in recognition of people with autism and their loved ones

How Can Civitans Participate in Autism Awareness Day?

  • Participate in the Light It Up Blue campaign – this can be done in a variety of ways, wear blue clothing, paint your town blue, work with local businesses to change their lights to blue; take a photo and post it with the hashtag, #LightItUpBlue talk about raising awareness about autism and how people can support programs for people with autism in your community
  • Make a club donation that supports programs in your local community serving those with autism
  • Plan a service project for an organization in your community serving those with autism
  • Invite someone with autism or someone who supports programs for those with autism to your club meeting to speak about what it is like to live with autism, misconceptions, how you can help, etc.
  • Post the available Autism Awareness Day post created for you on your personal and club social media pages.
    Download a Social Media-ready image to use here (1)
    Download a Social Media-ready image to use here (2)
    Example Caption:
    Today is Autism Awareness Day! Did you know 1 in 54 children is diagnosed with autism? With that the  – FILL IN THE BLANK –  Civitan Club chooses to #LightItUpBlue to raise awareness about autism. For more information about how Civitans support autism awareness through the Civitan International Research Center go to https://civitan.org/circ/
  • Visit https://www.autismspeaks.org/world-autism-awareness-day for more information on World Autism Month and Autism Awareness Day, including more ideas on how to take part

AUTISM ACCEPTANCE MONTH: APRIL 1, 2023 – APRIL 30, 2023

How Can Civitans Participate in Autism Acceptance Month?

  • Participate in the Light It Up Blue campaign – this can be done in a variety of ways, wear blue clothing, paint your town blue, work with local businesses to change their lights to blue; take a photo and post it with the hashtag, #LightItUpBlue talk about raising awareness about autism and how people can support programs for people with autism in your community
  • Make a club donation that supports programs in your local community serving those with autism
  • Plan a service project for an organization in your community serving those with autism
  • Invite someone with autism or someone who supports programs for those with autism to your club meeting to speak about what it is like to live with autism, misconceptions, how you can help, etc.
  • Post the available Autism Acceptance Month post created for you on your personal and club social media pages.
    Download a Social Media-ready image to use here (1)
    Download a Social Media-ready image to use here (2)
    Example Caption:
    This month is Autism Acceptance Month! Did you know 1 in 54 children is diagnosed with autism? With that the  – FILL IN THE BLANK –  Civitan Club chooses to #LightItUpBlue to raise awareness about autism. 
  • Visit https://autismsociety.org/ for more information on Autism Acceptance Month, including more ideas on how to take part.

WORLD DOWN SYNDROME DAY: MARCH 21, 2023
A global awareness day that has been celebrated on the 21st day of the third month of the year by the United Nations since 2012

How Can Civitans Participate in World Down Syndrome Day?

  • Participate in the #LotsOfSocks campaign, which raises awareness and starts the conversation about Down Syndrome. Pick your craziest socks or a pair of mismatched socks, take a photo, and post it online with the hashtag #LotsOfSocks. Be sure to include information about Down Syndrome and a way for viewers to take part in raising awareness.
  • Make a club donation that supports programs in your local community serving those with Down Syndrome
  • Plan a service project for an organization in your community serving those with Down Syndrome
  • Invite someone with Down Syndrome or someone who supports programs for those with Down Syndrome to your club meeting to speak about what it is like to live with Down Syndrome, misconceptions, how you can help, etc.
  • Post the available World Down Syndrome Day post created for you on your personal and club social media pages.
    Download a Social Media-ready image to use here (1)
    Download a Social Media-ready image to use here (2)
    Example Caption:
    Today is World Down Syndrome Day! Down syndrome is caused by the triplication or trisomy of the 21st chromosome, which is why we raise awareness about Down syndrome on this, the 21st day of the 3rd month of the year. The – FILL IN THE BLANK – Civitan Club chooses to take part by – FILL IN THE BLANK ABOUT HOW YOU ARE PARTICIPATING -. We hope you will take part today too! #WDSD2023
  • Visit https://www.worlddownsyndromeday.org/take-action for more information on how to take part in official World Down Syndrome Day events.

INTERNATIONAL WOMEN’S DAY: MARCH 8, 2023
Theme for 2023 – To Be Announced

How Can Civitans Participate in International Women’s Day?

  • Invite a speaker to your club meeting who can talk about gender equality and how to help end gender biases
  • Make a club donation that supports programs for young girls or women in your community. For example, STEM programs for school-aged girls, group homes for young women, scholarship programs for women, and business advocacy programs for female entrepreneurs.
  • Support female-owned businesses in your community through purchases, or partnering on a service project. For example, work with a female-owned business to set up a give-back day where a percentage of payments received go back to the club to put back into the community – for this particular event, think about giving the funds back to programs that support female entrepreneurs or education programs for girls
  • Post the available International Women’s Day post created for you to celebrate the women of Civitan on your personal and club social media pages.
    Download a Social Media-ready image to use here
    Example Caption:
    Today is International Women’s Day! Did you know Civitan was the first civic organization to allow entry to women in 1974? Since then, thousands of women have joined Civitan, completed numerous service projects, led at the local, district, and international levels, and exemplified what it means to be Champions of Service. Here’s to all of the women of Civitan, past, present, and future! #IWD2023#ChampionsofService
  • Visit https://www.internationalwomensday.com for more information on how to take part in official International Women’s Day events

 

DEVELOPMENTAL DISABILITIES AWARENESS MONTH: MARCH 1, 2023 – MARCH 31,2023
Theme for 2023 – To Be Announced

How Can Civitans Participate in Developmental Disabilities Awareness Month?

  • Invite a speaker to your club meeting who can talk about how you and your club can help to be more inclusive of those with developmental disabilities in all areas of life.
  • Make a club donation that supports programs that help shine awareness on the importance of those with developmental disabilities in a community.
  • Post the available Developmental Disabilities Awareness Month post created for you to celebrate the month on your social media pages.
    Download a Social Media-ready image to use here (1)
    Download a Social Media-ready image to use here (2)
    Example Caption:
    This month is Developmental Disabilities Awareness Month! Today and throughout the entire month, we want to shine a light on all that those with Developmental Disabilities do to make our communities better. 
  • Visit https://nacdd.org/ddam1/ for more information on how to take part in official International Women’s Day events

 

International Day of Persons with Disabilities: December 3, 2022

How Can Civitans Participate in International Day of Persons with Disabilities?

  • Plan a service project with an organization in your community that serves those with disabilities.
  • Make a club donation that supports program services for those with disabilities in your local community.
  • Invite someone who supports programs for those with disabilities to speak to your club about what it is like to live with a disability, misconceptions, and how your club can help.
  • Download a Social Media-ready image to use here (1)
  • Download a Social Media-ready image to use here (2)
  • Example Caption:
    Today is International Day of Persons with Disabilities. Civitan International is committed to shining awareness on the contributions to the world people with disabilities have made, as well as, the continued support needed to ensure that the world around us is open and available to individuals with disabilities. 
  • Visit https://www.un.org/en/observances/day-of-persons-with-disabilities for more information this day.

 

NATIONAL DISABILITY EMPLOYMENT AWARENESS MONTH: OCTOBER 1, 2022 – October 31, 2022

During the month of October, we want to encourage clubs to recognize the impact that individuals with disabilities have on making America’s workplaces diverse and inclusive.

Theme for 2022 – Disability: Part of the Equity Equation

How Can Civitans Participate in National Disability Employment Awareness Month?

  • Support businesses that actively work to employ people with disabilities
  • Invite someone on support programs dedicated to the employment of those with disabilities to speak to your club about how they can help that community.
  • Post to your club or individual social media accounts during the month of October using the image provided below:
  • Download a Social Media-ready image to use here (1)
  • Example Caption:
    How are you planning to observe National Disability Employment Awareness Month (NDEAM)? Held each October, NDEAM aims to educate about disability employment issues and celebrate the many and varied contributions of America’s workers with disabilities. NDEAM is led by the U.S. Department of Labor’s Office of Disability Employment Policy, but its true spirit lies in the many observances held at the grassroots level across the nation every year. Learn how you can support NDEAM by visiting the ODEP website: www.dol.gov/NDEAM.
  • Visit https://www.dol.gov/agencies/odep/initiatives/ndeam/ideas for more information on how to take part in official National Disability Employment Awareness Month events

WORLD CEREBRAL PALSY DAY: OCTOBER 6, 2022
Theme for 2022 – #MillonsofReasons

How Can Civitans Participate in World Cerebral Palsy Day?

  • Participate in the 2022 Millions of Reasons Campaign. Encourage fellow Civitans and members of your community to share their ideas for improving accessible technology leading up to World Cerebral Palsy Day.
  • Plan a service project with an organization in your community that serves those with Cerebral Palsy
  • Make a club donation that supports program services for those with Cerebral Palsy in your local community.
  • Invite an individual with Cerebral Palsy or someone who supports programs for those with Cerebral Palsy to speak to your club about what it is like to live with Cerebral Palsy, misconceptions, and how they can help.
  • Download a Social Media-ready image to use here (1)
  • Download a Social Media-ready image to use here (2)
  • Example Caption:
    Today is World Cerebral Palsy day! Civitan International is committed to helping to create an accessible world for all people. Today and every day we want individuals to think of ways to create better and more accessible technology.  
  • Visit https://worldcpday.org/resources/ for more information on how to take part in official World Cerebral Palsy Day events

RESOURCES FOR DOWNLOAD AND PRINT
Connecting Through Social Media 
How to Take Effective Photos
Using Canva for Graphic Design 101
How to Schedule a Facebook Post