Juneau -- The Alaska Senate Friday joined the House in unanimously passing House Concurrent Resolution 15, which designates March 2000 as Developmental Disability Awareness Month in Alaska.

There are an estimated 12,000 Alaskans who experience severe and/or multiple disabilities which are often present at birth and are permanent. Recognizing March as Developmental Disabilities Awareness Month offers an opportunity for improving the quality of life of people with developmental disabilities in the hope that the barriers and fears that affect their everyday lives can be replaced with awareness and understanding.

"Progress continues to be made due, in large part, to the caring people of the Key Campaign," said House Speaker Brian Porter (R-Anchorage), sponsor of HCR 15. "The members of the Twenty-First Alaska State Legislature have shown themselves to be proud to join the Alaska Key Campaign and all the caring service providers in the state of Alaska in recognizing these citizens as full members of the family of Alaska."