Congratulations to 2023 Tenure Employees

On January 28, 2024, we recognized and celebrated 30 employees with 5,10,15, 20, 25, 30, 35, 40 years of service with The Arc Montgomery County! Held at VisArts in Rockville, members of the Board, Leadership, and guests enjoyed an afternoon where honored employees received a certificate of appreciation and a gift as our way of saying thanks for their dedication to the mission, the people we support, and their families. We can't say it enough, congratulations!

People grouped together for Calendar Days

Calendar Day 2024

On a picture-perfect day in January, employees, and people we support joined other Maryland chapters of The Arc for Calendar Day in Annapolis. An annual tradition and a legislator favorite, the Legislative Calendar includes stories of people with intellectual and developmental disabilities thriving in their communities and the legislators' birthdays.

Maryland Disabilities Day
is Almost Here!

Tune in and get informed on Wednesday, February 21, 2024, for Developmental Disabilities Day (DD Day) at the Legislature! Hear from legislators and advocates on important issues and how our lawmakers can support Marylanders with IDD. Although registration is full to attend in person, DD Day will be live-streamed on the Maryland Developmental Disabilities Coalition page on Facebook and no registration is required.

Black History Month

Immerse yourself in Montgomery County’s black history with special events at the Josiah Henson Museum & Park. Montgomery Parks and Recreation will be hosting History Hour, a lecture series for adults on February 15, from 6-7 pm, and Black History Month Family Days which includes hands-on activities of what a child’s life was like in Dawn, the settlement created by Henson after taking his family to Canada via the Underground Railroad. Family Days is on February 24 from 12 to 4 pm. Located in Bethesda, Josiah Henson Museum & Park is fully accessible.

Follow this link to plan your activities.

Bethesda Soccer Club Buddy Camp

From June 17-21, the Bethesda Soccer Club (BSC) Buddy Camp will be holding a free soccer camp for children with physical and developmental disabilities. Children ages 8-18 of all skill levels will receive expert coaching and be "buddied" with players from BSC. Together they will work on drills and play games to expose the campers to soccer while developing teamwork skills. Registration is now open.

Follow this link for details.

Spelling Bee Champion!

Ellen Ruckmann-Bruch, a 13-year-old with Down Syndrome, has once again won Honolulu Waldorf School’s annual spelling bee! A top speller at her school, Ellen went through 29 rounds and outlasted 50 competitors. She won by correctly spelling out loud “tostones” (a Latin American dish of sliced and fried plantains). The next step is the district spelling bee, followed by the state (Hawaii) and national Scripps Spelling Bee competitions. We're rooting for you, Ellen!

Accessible Tech Products

The Arc is taking part in a research survey with a tech company to better understand the experiences people with disabilities have with tech devices and their accessibility features. Though the survey is focused on people with disabilities, input from caregivers and advocates is also accepted.

The results will help to shape the development of future tech products, the best way to meet accessibility needs, and the diversity of accessibility needs for the IDD community and beyond.

The survey includes 40-50 questions, is anonymous and confidential, plus a chance to win a $500 prize.

Follow this link to participate.

Person in a wheel chair in airport terminal

Travel Platform for People with Disabilities

The Arc network is now in partnership with accessibleGO! Created for people with disabilities, the full-service travel platform is the first of its kind and helps people book flights, hotels, rental cars with hand controls, wheelchair van rentals, accessible rides, and mobility rentals all in one website.

On February 27 at 1 pm, join The Arc and accessibleGo for a live digital event and learn more about accessible travel. RSVP here.

TheArcMontgomeryCounty.org

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7362 Calhoun Place | Rockville, MD | 20855 US

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