CINCINNATI — About one in six children in the U.S. are affected by developmental disabilities, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). As National Developmental Disability Awareness Month continues, one southwest Ohio school is proving that a child’s disability doesn’t define their potential.

What You Need To Know

  • March marks National Developmental Disability Awareness Month

  • St. Rita School for the Deaf's annual Dream Makers Scholarship Benefit is April 12

  • The funds raised help offset tuition costs for students, with the price of tuition set to reach $50,000 per student next year

St. Rita School for the Deaf, located in Cincinnati, provides individualized instruction for students who are deaf or have developmental disabilities. The school’s motto, "Where the impossible is possible," is a guiding principle for teachers like Megan Neal, a K-2 teacher.

“As a deaf teacher, I want to be a role model for my students, showing them that they can do anything,” Neal said through an interpreter.

Neal's journey with St. Rita is a personal one. She was once a student at the school, a place that helped her find her deaf identity.

“It was so cool. I felt an instant connection with my peers and the teacher. You didn’t need an interpreter, which allowed me to focus more. It really opened up my horizons and helped me grow my signing skills,” Neal said.

The school's annual Dream Makers Scholarship Benefit is just around the corner, scheduled for April 12. The event is the school’s largest fundraising effort of the year. The funds raised help offset tuition costs for students, with the price of tuition set to reach $50,000 per student next year. 

According to the school's website, more than 95% of students receive tuition assistance. 

Angela Frith, President of St. Rita’s, said nearly 60% of the student population comes from families at or below the poverty line. The school’s continued success is largely due to community support, according to Frith, who emphasized the importance of the Dream Makers Benefit.

"We're not just talking about a child that has language and communication needs. We're talking a child that may have cerebral palsy or a child that may be on the spectrum," Frith said. “When students graduate, we want them to go on and be whatever they want to be.”

Neal noted how the school has changed since her days as a student, especially in terms of technology and communication methods. She said the most rewarding part of her job is watching students gain their independence.

“When you see them starting to sign independently, that is the most rewarding thing. It’s amazing to see them express themselves and communicate whatever they need or want,” Neal said.

The Dream Makers Scholarship Benefit will feature a silent auction and basket raffles. Tickets for the event are available for purchase now. For more information, click here.