Fall 2021 Newsletter

MDOD Celebrates National Disability
Employment Awareness Month!
National Disability Employment Awareness Month proclamation signed Governor Hogan with state seal.
Governor Hogan issued a proclamation making October Disability Employment Awareness Month in Maryland, joining the federal Department of Labor in recognizing the value of inclusive hiring practices.

The theme for this year's National Disability Employment Awareness Month (NDEAM) is “America’s Recovery: Powered by Inclusion,”. This 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.

Secretary Beatty and our staff attended many NDEAM celebrations around the state, both in person and virtually. Have you seen our video "EmployAbility"? Check it out at our YouTube page! For more information and other employment resources visit our website.

For more information on National Disability Employment Awareness Month, visit the Department of Labor's site: https://www.dol.gov/agencies/odep/initiatives/ndeam
Red poster of US Map with words Americas recovery powered by inclusion NDEAM 2021
Sec Beatty stands with three others as she holds proclamation
Screenshot of zoom with picture of Dep Sec Miele and Governors NDEAM proclamation
Lt. Governor Rutherford Unveils Banner at Twin Ridge Elementary School
Special Olympics Maryland announced that Twin Ridge Elementary School, a Special Olympics Unified Champion School, has achieved national banner recognition for its efforts to provide inclusive sports and activities for students with and without disabilities.
Lt Governor Rutherford stands at podium with Special Olympics banner in background.
Lt. Governor Boyd Rutherford was joined by MDOD Secretary Carol Beatty, Smart Growth Special Secretary Wendi Peters, and MSDE Assistant State Superintendent Marcella Franczkowski at the celebration as he unveiled the new banner. Twin Ridge is the first elementary school in Maryland to receive this award! Twin Ridge received this honor as a result of meeting national standards of excellence in the areas of inclusion, advocacy and respect. Way to go TRES!!

Watch this awesome video about the event: TRES EVENT
Secretary Beatty joins Special Olympics President Jim Schmutz and 6 others in front of Banner that says "Special Olympics Unified Champion Schools"
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Group of 250 elementary schools children hold red towels that say "choose to include" in front of large banner that says "inclusion"
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Affordable Housing Units Open in Carroll County
MDOD Secretary Carol Beatty and MD Department of Housing and Community Development Secretary Ken Holt helped cut the ribbon officially opening Westminster Way, a brand-new mixed-income residential community. A partnered effort between Conifer and Interfaith Housing Alliance, Westminster Way brings 55 apartment homes to the heart of downtown Westminster, MD. The community is comprised of 35 apartments and 20 renovated townhomes. Nine units in Westminster Way are part of our Section 811 Housing program and are the first 811 units in Carroll County.
Secretary Beatty stands at podium addressing crowd in outdoor tent.
twelve people stand in front of building holding scissors and one long ribbon.
Close up of Blue building sign that says Westminster Way Apartments, a conifer community. 410-862-1985
Orioles scoreboard with mdod and dda logos and thank you to Direct Support Professionals
Direct Support Professionals Honored by Governor Hogan and Baltimore Orioles

MDOD and MDH-DDA solicited nominations for outstanding Direct Support Professionals (DSPs) and selected 30 winners from across the state during Direct Support Professionals Recognition Week, September 12-18th.

Governor Hogan honored winners with Governor's Citations highlighting their dedication and service. The Baltimore Orioles joined the celebration offering recognition winners two tickets to the O's game on 9/23. During the game, The Orioles acknowledged DSP Recognition Week and welcomed the winners! MDOD has been traveling to those who could not make the game to present them with their citations.

THANK YOU TO EACH AND EVERY NOMINEE! We appreciate all you do each and everyday to support people in their community!
Sec Beatty stands with citation winner outside camden yards
Dep Sec Miele and DDA regional Director Gschiedle present citation to three winners
Woman stands in front of Arc Southern MD sign holding citation.
Ethan Saylor Alliance Releases Training Curriculum
Maryland Department of Disabilities (MDOD) is pleased to announce the release of the Ethan Saylor Alliance Law Enforcement Training Curriculum, designed to train officers on how to safely and appropriately interact with people with intellectual and developmental disabilities. More than 50 curriculum sets have been distributed to local law enforcement agencies.
 
“This curriculum is the result of the tremendous efforts of both disability advocates and law enforcement,” says MDOD Secretary Carol A. Beatty. “The collaborative nature of the process has produced a curriculum that is rich in content and easy to implement for any agency.”

For more information on the Ethan Saylor Alliance and the Alliance meetings: Ethan Saylor Alliance Info

Read the full press release here: Ethan Saylor Curriculum Release

Maryland Department of Disabilities
Voice 410-767-3660
Toll Free ⁄ TTY ⁄ Voice 1-800-637-4113