Celebrating our Direct Support Professionals!

DSP Week 2024 was a resounding success! We love showing appreciation for our dedicated Direct Support Professionals (DSPs) team. One of the week's highlights was a lively party at headquarters, where DSPs enjoyed snacks, gifts, and fun activities with coworkers, those we support, and The Arc's Board of Directors.

October is National Disability Employment Awareness Month

The Arc Montgomery County is proud to support community employment opportunities. Good jobs change lives, and workers of all abilities deserve the opportunity to prepare for, obtain, and succeed in them. “Access to Good Jobs for All” is this year’s National Disability Employment Awareness Month (NDEAM) theme. Find out more at dol.gov/NDEAM

What does workplace inclusion look like? Share your images during NDEAM by emailing Communications@arcmontmd.org and/or using the hashtag #NDEAM.

#NDEAM Spotlight

With October being National Disability Employment Awareness Month, we want to put the spotlight on Amanda, supported by Employment & Meaningful Day. Amanda has been an employee at Global Communities for 18 years! The non-profit works in humanitarian assistance, and reaches more than 35 countries per year.

Amanda provides invaluable administrative support including document management, making hotel reservations for people who visit, and setting up conference rooms for meetings.

Amanda’s long-time boss Jim has decided it’s time to retire and Amanda wrote a heartfelt letter to Jim, expressing the impact he has had.

“…you have helped me and taught me different skills and watched me grow up over the years…you have always been there for me when I went through challenges…plus surviving the pandemic and getting engaged to Jason. I have learned so much from you."

"Thanks for being a great boss, a great manager, a great friend & more importantly a great office mate.”

The Arc Montgomery County currently provides employment support to more than 50 people.

Toddler Boogie 2024!

Come one, come all, bring your friends to this community event. Toddler Boogie is back in a big way! The entire family can enjoy activities, watch the children have fun in their costumes, meet other KFICCC families, and raise money for KFICCC at the same time. The entry fee is $8/person, and children under 2 are free. Families can bid on raffle prizes and the proceeds go to KFICCC. If you would like to get involved, donations are appreciated: food, snacks, decorations, games. Also needed are parent volunteers.

When: Saturday, October 26, 4 pm–7 pm
Where: KFICCC
10611 Tenbrook Drive
Silver Spring, MD 20901
Contact Info: Niambi.Heyward@arcmontmd.org

MCE Leadership Retreat

Leaders from chapters of The Arc across Maryland joined together for a retreat to kick off their MCE Leadership - The Arc class of 2025! This is the beginning of a year-long journey as they learn to develop and fine-tune their personal leadership styles, and better support their organization's employees, people with IDD, and families. From The Arc Montgomery County are Kiauna, Carmen, Linda, Adam, Ayoola, and Tuhina.

Comedy for a Cause!

Three nights of fun, laughter, and raising awareness. Showtime for Thursday is 7 pm and for Friday and Saturday at 8 pm. Tickets are $20. Order your tickets today at https://www.giveahootcomedy.com/events/90002

Election 2024

The upcoming election is a crucial opportunity for everyone to make their voices heard, including people with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities (IDD). Voting is your right, and it's important to use it to help shape the future.

Important Dates:

Deadline to register or update your registration online in Maryland: October 15
In-person early voting: October 24–31
In-person voting: November

Here is more information on how to vote, and accessible voting options:

People On the Go Voting Resources
Voting | People On the Go (pogmd.org)
https://www.pogmd.org/voting

Voting in Maryland
Access by Voters with Disabilities (maryland.gov)

JCPenney Launches Apparel Wheelchair Collection

JCPenney announced a new fashionable and functional apparel collection for those who use wheelchairs. Designed by writer, athlete, and wheelchair user Jamey Perry, the fashion line is designed to reduce common issues women in wheelchairs experience when dressing and wearing apparel, and includes well-placed zippers for easy access, extending back rises to accommodate seated wearers, shortening sleeves to prevent interference with wheels, and waistband loops to make dressing easier. See the collection here: Jamey Perry for JCPenney Collection | JCPenney

TheArcMontgomeryCounty.org

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7362 Calhoun Place | Rockville, MD | 20855 US

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