World Down Syndrome Day #WDSD2023

World Down Syndrome Day is 3/21/2023

WHAT: World Down Syndrome Day #WDSD2023

WHEN: 3/21/2023

For more information, visit the Down Syndrome Association of Maryland website.

 

 


Families: Updated COVID Guidelines

File name : Updated-COVID-Policies-December-2022-1.docx.pdf


Disability Voting Rights Week

Disability Voting Rights Week

September 12-16, 2022

Build the power of the disability vote with us during the 2022 Disability Voting Rights Week, September 12-16, 2022. You can be a part of making sure that disabled voters across the country and in every community are registered and ready to vote and have access to the ballot.


Disability Pride Month

Disability Pride Month is about changing the way people view disability, erasing the stigma associated with it, and recognizing disability as part of our communities’ diversity. This month, put together by the National Community Action Partnership, is a time to highlight and celebrate those differences, applaud advances that have been made, and focus on opportunities to increase access and equity in people with disabilities.


Disability Culture and Achievements Month

Governor Larry Hogan signed an Executive Order last month making every July Disability Culture and Achievements Month (DCAM). DCAM promotes the efforts of Marylanders who work to change our state for the better by promoting equality of opportunity, access, and choice for individuals with disabilities.


New Executive Director for The Arc of Howard County Announced

Headshot of new Executive Director, Katie Collins-Ihrke

The Arc of Howard County Announces New Executive Director!

Katie Collins-Ihrke

Follow this link to download the letter.

Message-from-board-president-New-Executive-Director-on-Letterhead

Follow this link to download the letter.


National Disability Employment Awareness Month (NDEAM)

National Disability Employment Awareness Month (NDEAM) Map of the United States

October is National Disability Employment Awareness Month (NDEAM). NDEAM celebrates the many and varied contributions of people with disabilities to America’s workplaces and economy. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, in 2020, the unemployment rate for people with disabilities was 12.6 percent. The Arc of Howard County has a program designed to help improve employment for people with disabilities. Our workforce development program helps people with intellectual & developmental disabilities reach their career goals.

The theme for NDEAM 2021, “America’s Recovery: Powered by Inclusion,” reflects the importance of ensuring that people with disabilities have full access to employment and community involvement during the national recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic.

NDEAM is held each October to commemorate the many and varied contributions of people with disabilities to America’s workplaces and economy. Browse our website for ideas and resources for employers, community organizations, state and local governments, advocacy groups and schools to participate in celebrating NDEAM through events and activities centered around the theme of “America’s Recovery: Powered by Inclusion.”


Maryland Department of Health: Virtual Town Hall on COVID-19 Vaccine-Facts vs Fiction for People with Intellectual and Developmental Disability

Maryland Department of Health logo

Maryland Department of Health: Virtual Town Hall on COVID-19 Vaccine-Facts vs Fiction for People with Intellectual and Developmental Disability

January 27, 2021

5 p.m.

People who live and work in group homes for people with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities have been prioritized in the highest priority group to receive the vaccine. Please register on this form.


Community of Practice for Supporting Families Webinar Series

Maryland Department of Health logo

Join the Maryland Department of Health’s Developmental Disabilities Administration (DDA) and the Maryland Community of Practice for Supporting Families for its Supporting Families Webinar Series on Wednesday, October 14, 2020, at noon.

This webinar series is facilitated by Mary Anne Kane-Breschi, both the parent of a young woman with multiple disabilities and the Director of Family Supports for the DDA. Utilizing the principles and tools of Charting the LifeCourse (CtLC) framework, Mary Anne, along with special guests and subject matter experts:

  • Mel Smith, Self-Advocate
  • Tracy Wright, People On The Go
  • Babette Smith, Parent and Owner of Intentional Support, LCC, and Support Broker
  • Gail Godwin, Executive Director of Shared Support Maryland, Inc.
  • Thelma Green, Project Action!
  • Samantha Davis
  • Joan Rumenap, Accessible Resources for Independence (ARI)
  • Amanda Frey

Families and individuals with disabilities will learn about person centered planning, what it is, its purpose, and their role in its development.

Click here to register.


Community of Practice for Supporting Families Webinar Series

Maryland Department of Health logo

Join the Maryland Department of Health’s Developmental Disabilities Administration (DDA) and the Maryland Community of Practice for Supporting Families for its Supporting Families Webinar Series on Wednesday, September 30, 2020, at noon.

This webinar series is facilitated by Mary Anne Kane-Breschi, both the parent of a young woman with multiple disabilities and the Director of Family Supports for the DDA. Utilizing the principles and tools of Charting the LifeCourse (CtLC) framework, Mary Anne, along with special guests and subject matter experts will address different topics and areas of concern, such as Electronic Visit Verification (EVV) on September 30 and Person Centered Planning Training on October 14. The topic for the October 28 webinar will be announced shortly.

Click here to register.