National Disability Employment Awareness Month

Last October, Governor Larry Hogan signed Executive Order 01.01.2017.23 declaring October Disability Employment Awareness Month in Maryland. The Order addresses the immense contributions made by workers with disabilities and the increased economic strength gained through an inclusive workforce. MDOD recently partnered with Maryland PublicTelevision to produce a brief video, employABILITY, that highlights benefits and dispels myths of inclusive hiring practices.
  Employers are the missing piece of the puzzle

Executive Director AndrĂ© Coates, members of Maryland Community Connection (MCC) Board of Directors, Secretary Beatty (center) at the annual Employer Breakfast honoring employers for 
inclusive hiring practices.  Secretary Beatty presented a proclamation in honor of Disability Employment Awareness Month to   Maryland Community Connection .  MCC recognized employers Safeway (Bowie), TJMaxx (Lanham), and Rising Generations Daycare for inclusive hiring practices. 

Howard  County Commission on Disability Issues' 
Annual Awards Event
 
Kelby Brick, Director of the Governor's Office for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing, with Ande Kolp, Howard County Commission on Disability Issues Chair and Secretary Carol Beatty. Secretary Beatty presented the Chair a Governor's proclamation recognizing National Disability Employment Awareness Month.


INCLUSION WORKS

Assistant Deputy Secretary John Brennan (right) presented Executive Director, Rob Malone a proclamation for Disability Employment Awareness Month at The Arc Prince George's Inclusion Works breakfast. The well attended event included a panel discussion featuring employees and employers, an engaging video and myth-busting round table. Employers included the Federal Government, PetSmart,Target and Old Town Trolley. Breakfast was hosted at the beautiful, new state-of-the-art  2U headquarters in Lanham. 2U promotes and practices inclusive hiring.
 Feed People 
| Fight Disease | Foster Hope

In honor of the 2018  Day to Serve , MDOD staff prepared meals at Moveable Feast. Last year, Moveable Feast served over 700,000 meals to more than 4900 clients across Maryland. The mission of Moveable Feast is to foster a community that cares for men, women and children living with HIV/AIDS, cancer and other life-threatening illnesses by preparing and delivering nutritious meals and groceries and providing nutritional counseling and other services. Thousands of individual and group volunteers contribute 40,000+ hours to their mission each year.  Find out more. 


Just Like You

The Charles County Job Developers' Alliance hosted its fourth annual employer award breakfast, "Just Like You," October 16th.  Local businesses and community partners taking the lead in hiring and supporting people with disabilities were recognized. Secretary Beatty with event co-chair Danielle Lyons (left), David Berthiaume, Senior Advisor ODEP, co-chair Stephanie Colson (right) and keynote speaker, U.S. Department of Labor Office of Disability Employment Policy Deputy Assistant Secretary Jennifer Sheehy. Read a full re-cap of the event from the Maryland Independent.


 

PATHWAY TO EMPLOYMENT
The 4th Annual Prince George's Provider Council Employment Awards honored Prince George's County employers, employees with disabilities, and direct support professionals who assist people with disabilities to be successful at work. Secretary Beatty presented a proclamation to Bea Rodgers and Chair Ron Vaughn. Three employees with disabilities spoke during the program about their passion for their work and love of their jobs. Vendor space was available for self-advocate entrepreneurs. The council members provide a flexible, person-centered, family-oriented system of supports for people with developmental disabilities so they can live personally-defined lives.


17th Annual Art in the Round Benefits The Arc Baltimore

Executive Director Kathleen Durkin, artist, First Lady Yumi Hogan, and Secretary Carol Beatty with the artist's work featuring blue crabs. Art created by more than 60 talented artists with disabilities was showcased at the event that raised $86,000 for The  Arc Baltimore. 
Main Street breaks ground!

Congressman Jamie Raskin, Secretary Kenneth Holt, Secretary Carol Beatty, Jillian Copeland, County Executive Ike Leggett, Nicholas Copeland and Scott Copeland each hold shovels full of dirt at the groundbreaking. Main Street is an inclusive, community-centered residential development in the heart of downtown Rockville. Twenty-five percent  of the apartments are designed and designated for adults with disabilities.


50 Years of Words in Many Forms

Secretary Beatty congratulated patrons and supporters at the standing-room-only celebration of the 50th Anniversary of the Maryland State Library for the Blind and Physically Handicapped. She presented a Governor's proclamation to Director Leslie Bowman honoring the occasion.