Out & About!
The White House, Dopamine Land, and a movie screening – oh, my! The change in weather hasn't stopped us from getting out and exploring! Recent outings include a trip to The White House, where people we support were serenaded by the Air Force Band, and to Dopamine Land, which is a multisensory experience in DC that combines media and technology. We also hosted a movie screening at headquarters of the new Disney+ movie Out Of My Mind, which is a dramedy about a middle school girl with cerebral palsy and the importance of inclusivity.

International Day of Persons with Disabilities

December 3 is International Day of Persons with Disabilities (IDPD), with this year’s theme being "Amplifying the leadership of persons with disabilities for an inclusive and sustainable future." This theme emphasizes the importance of the participation of those with disabilities in decision-making processes that affect their lives. IDPD has been observed and promoted by the United Nations since 1992, and you can watch the event from the UN headquarters in New York City virtually on December 3 at 11:30 AM.

2024 International Day for Persons with Disabilities | UN Web TV

Our CEO In The Podcast Chair!

Daria Cervantes–CEO and podcast guest! Daria sat down with Ethan Chazin on the Chazin-the-Dream podcast to talk about everything from keeping employees happy and helping them climb the ladder in their careers, to employment for people IDD and making a difference in their lives!

“The Arc is a whole organization. It’s not just the house that they work in, the employment site that they work in, the classroom where our early childhood educators teach, it’s a whole organization and really, not only do we want to support people with disabilities through The Arc of their lifetime, we want to support employees through The Arc of their careers as well.”

Check out Daria's interview on the Chazin-the-Dream podcast

You Gave a Hoot!

The Give A Hoot event supporting STAND Together was a success! For three nights, people from inside and outside the organization gathered at the Give A Hoot comedy club in Gaithersburg, MD to kick back and laugh at comedians like Nick Hoff. The event raised more than $800 for the advocacy group. Katherine O'Connell, STAND Together Facilitator, introduced The Arc Montgomery County, sharing about the organization and what STAND Together is all about–advocacy and building a strong community.

Holiday Shopping? Nike’s New Backpack Prioritizes Accessibility

Nike’s new Elite EasyOn backpack was designed with innovative features, originally developed for athletes competing in the Paris 2024 Paralympic Games. The backpack is now available through the company’s online store.

The bag’s most unique feature is a full clamshell opening that fully exposes its interior. That eliminates the need to empty the backpack or dig through its contents to reach items at the bottom. Users can quickly swap between a pair of backpack straps to a single sling or streamlined wheelchair straps, while patented clasps near the top of the bag allow them to widen or narrow the fit. The backpack’s designer said it was made after seeing athletes did not have a bag that worked well with their wheelchairs.

Click here to learn more about the Nike Elite Backpack

Step Into The Light

Looking for something fun to do? Make your plans to visit all the wonderful light displays in Montgomery County.

Garden of Lights at Brookside Gardens ($10, and under 5 are free, but do need a ticket. Path is wheelchair accessible.)
Winter City Lights in Olney (Ranges from $18-$37. Accessibility info: https://wintercitylights.com/faq/)
Light Up the Lake Front at The Rio in Gaithersburg on Saturday, December 7 from 5-7pm (Free. Wheelchair accessible.)
Winter Lights Festival at Seneca Creek State Park ($15-$30 per vehicle/van)

Click here for more information on local light displays

TheArcMontgomeryCounty.org

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7362 Calhoun Place | Rockville, MD | 20855 US

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