Developmental + Intellectual Disabilities Awareness Month Social Media Campaign

Massachusetts Department of Developmental Services

March 2020

To celebrate Intellectual and Developmental Disability Awareness Month in 2020, I designed a series of portrait illustrations to be released daily on the Massachusetts Department of Developmental Services Instagram.

The illustrations highlighted and honored people who worked with and instigated change for people with developmental and intellectual disabilities.

The project was cut short with the start of the COVID-19 pandemic. Only nine portraits were completed; eight were published online.

1 / 9
An illustration of a woman with grey hair speaking at a podium.

Eunice Kennedy-Shriver, who founded the Special Olympics and was a leader in the struggle to enhance the lives of people with intellectual disabilities.

2 / 9
An illustration of a Black woman resting her hand on her chin.

Marian Wright-Edelman, founder of Children's Defense Fund and advocate for children with disabilities, children of color, and poor children.

3 / 9
An illustration of a man with grey hair and a yellow bowtie.

Gunnar Dybwad, who championed civil rights for people with developmental disabilities and was a proponent for self-advocacy.

4 / 9
An illustration of a woman. Across her chest, text says 'Tia Nellis'.

Tia Nelis, founder of People First Ohio, an organization that works with self-advocates within the community of people with disabilities.

5 / 9
An illustration of a man. His torso is made of text that says 'Burton Blatt'.

Burton Blatt, who advocated for deinstitutionalization and the development of community living programs and family support services.

6 / 9
An illustration of a woman. Her torso is made of text that says 'Judy Fryd'.

Judy Fryd, founder of the British organization Mencap which works with people with developmental disabilities.

7 / 9
An illustration of an old man. His face is made up of a series of blue polygons.

Ben Ricci, author and advocate for improving conditions for people with intellectual disabilities in Massachusetts.

8 / 9
An illustration of a woman. Within her face is lines of texts.

Elizabeth Boggs, founder of the organization now known as the Arc of the United States, which promotes the human rights of people with developmental and intellectual disabilities.

9 / 9
An contour-line portrait of a man whose face is made of stripes of purple.

Allen Crocker, doctor and advocate for children with disabilities.