Earnest Woodard and Cynthia Garlando traveled different paths to the home in Baltimore they share together today. Their journeys - separately and together - tell a story that shows the power of love and community.

Cynthia spent thirteen years in a state institution where she suffered indignation and abuse. What was worse was the feeling of hopelessness that she says she faced day after day. That hopelessness turned into determination when she was able to leave the institution, graduate from school #177 and enter The Arc of Baltimore's program. She progressed through job training and readiness courses and had the opportunity to work at several different jobs. In October 1996, she landed a job at Fort Meade through Goodwill Industries that transformed her into a satisfied and successful employee.

Earnest traveled a path that had its own "traps" in his words. Once out of school, he found himself inadequately prepared to live independently. His frustrations often caused him to trouble. Then in 1979 he linked up with The Arc of Baltimore. Moving through their programs, he gained a determination and a self-discipline that helped him graduate from The Arc's Janitorial Program and land a position as refuse technician at the University of Maryland in Baltimore.

The story is one of success for both Earnest and Cynthia without going further. Along the path though Earnest met Cynthia and was quickly smitten. After a bowling trip and a few dates, the two became fast friends and fell in love. It would take 11 years of courtship and a lot of talking to their church minister before they actually walked down the aisle. That was 1997 and since then they have managed their jobs, their home and, most importantly, their life together.

Earnest is very open and anxious to talk about the path he traveled, about his developmental disability and the rights of people with disabilities. "Call us people first. Call me employee, husband, co-worker. Not retard, not stupid," says Earnest passionately. He takes that message to all who will hear through his volunteering with a self-advocacy group, Helping Hands, through church and even as a regular bowler.

Cynthia is much quieter but has the same determination to set the record straight about people with developmental disabilities. She too is involved with volunteering and sings in the church choir and helping her bowling team win.

Both Earnest and Cynthia credit The Arc of Baltimore with their success. But outsiders point to their marriage as a key part because they support each other through everything.

Not many first-year wrestlers are asked to win a deciding match for the team. In fact not many rookies are even expected to beat an experienced opponent. But then the Oakland Mills High School Wrestling Team in Columbia, MD has always brought out the best in each teammate.

It's not surprising then that rookie wrestler Bryan Parent made the first pin of his career and put the Scorpions in a winning position at the December 23 bout with Centennial. And to many who know the team and Coach Brad Howell, it's not surprising they earned the 2005 Community Dignity Award from The Arc of Maryland.

That award comes to the team for contributing to the dignity of persons with developmental disabilities by promoting their inclusion in the community. Bryan is a 17-year-old student at Oakland Mills with autism. This didn't stop the team from accepting Bryan as a full teammate. His fellow wrestlers and coaches worked with him and included him in all the team activities. He was a high school student who wanted to wrestle first.

The team's acceptance led to acceptance in the hallways at Oakland Mills High and at matches throughout the state from opposing coaches, referees, wrestlers and parents.

Ask the team how they feel about winning the award and they seem confused. Team captains Antonio Josiah and Sean Kendig simply say they were doing what they were supposed to do. Even Coach Howell is a little amazed – though quite pleased – because he described Bryan as just one aspect of the diversity of the team and the school.

Ask Bryan's parents and they would give the coach and team more awards. The wrestling team experience exemplifies community acceptance and tolerance while maintaining high standards of excellence, says Tracy Parent. First, training had to be completed so that Bryan could compete. Then, effective role modeling and support enabled Bryan to be successful. Coach Howell's role modeling and the team's acceptance and courage have taught everyone that everyone can contribute, including students with disabilities.' Back to top

Lavonne Telsee remembers meeting a family with a special needs child and thinking "I don't know how I'd cope." Three years later she'd have to answer that question when the family found out that their third child, Kortney, would have special needs.

At first the family didn't know how to cope. Gradually, as older daughter Talisha explains, "we started learning as a family how to understand what she needed and how we can help her." They began to see her abilities and in doing so saw each other's special abilities. Kortney, who needs so much care, is also a teacher.

This lesson is evident in each family member. Talisha is pursuing a career in special education. Highschooler Ken is a trailblazer as the only freshman on the JV basketball team in addition to playing several other sports while earning a 4.0. After retiring from the military, Ken Sr. followed a dream to begin a ministry for healing and restoration founding True Joy Ministries in Aberdeen. Lavonne, in addition to a full-time job with the Chemical Materials Agency in Edgewood, Md., is actively involved in True Joy Ministries.

How they cope can be summed up in four words: work as a team. Their day starts with an inventory of who is handling which of Kortney's needs. On a typical day, Ken Sr. has wake-up and breakfast - but never hair as he is quick to say "I'm not the hair guy". Someone gets Kortney to the bus and then Ken Jr or Talisha are in the queue to meet the bus after school.

Key to their team are the people at Kortney's school and The Arc of Chesapeake. The family says The Arc in particular has provided on-going support and helped them connect with necessary services in the community. It does take a community to support families like the Telsees, but the return is immeasurable. Just look, for example, at Talisha.

Helping at Kortney's school where Talisha is around kids with disabilities has motivated her to seek a career in special education which there is a great need for teachers. "Kortney is a big part of my decision to go into special education," says Talisha. "She's an awesome little person in her right and I want that for others."

We learned, Ken, Sr. explained, that "life with special needs doesn't limit us achieving whatever goals we set out to achieve."

At the age of 24 months, Nicholas' parents were told that he had autism and was developmentally delayed. Little did they know then that a major innovation in preschool services would make a huge difference to Nicholas. His Kids Preschool in Deale, Maryland didn't know they would be a part of this difference either. The person who brought Nicholas and the preschool together is Sally Mastroberti, an Early Childhood Intervention (ECI) specialist in Anne Arundel County. The program's success has earned Sally and the Anne Arundel County school program the 2005 School Inclusion Award from The Arc of Maryland.

Sally answered a request to pioneer an initiative which provided services to children with special needs in community-based preschools and daycares. This was a big change from segregating children with disabilities in special classes. The catalyst was research showing that children with special needs benefited significantly from being in a typical preschool/childcare program with non-disabled peers.

As part of this initiative, Sally had to recruit preschools such as His Kids to accept disabled students and kids like Nicholas to try a community preschool. Both agreed. Nicholas blossomed at His Kids, according to Sally and his mother. He began to interact with classmates, participate in a large group and demonstrate age-appropriate skills. He also grew in confidence. With this progress and success, he now attends a community-based preschool three days a week with minimal special education support. Nicholas will attend a regular education Kindergarten in the fall with consult support only.

Sally is quick to say they she had little to do with Nicholas' success personally. "I am so honored to be recognized but I truly feel that the regular educators are the ones who deserve the recognition. Without their unconditional love for all children and their patience - these little ones would not be achieving the success that we are seeing now. Nicholas' success is truly Gloria Spicer and Denise Tucker (preschool teacher and assistant) at His Kids Preschool not mine," The benefits of community-based support that includes children with and without disabilities in their learning community - with the proper supports - are widely touted in research. The Anne Arundel County program puts names to the research and the list is growing. At the end of the school year last June, 22 of the 23 students stayed in community based programs. In a survey, all the families reported positive results. Of the preschools involved, 99% wanted the service to continue and pointed out that their confidence and skills for accommodating children with special needs increased. This year, the program is serving 85 students out of which only 3 have returned to ECI. The others will remain in inclusive learning programs for next year. "This calculates to 96% success," says Sally. "In the past, these 85 students would have been in a segregated preschool. We are so proud of these kids."

There are many winners besides the children with special needs when a school establishes a successful inclusion program. The non-disabled children come to understand that everyone has special abilities and to learn to get along with many types of people.

The educators also benefit. "By building the skills of the regular educators, we create an environment that works for everyone," said Sally. ECI specialists work with educators offering suggestions, providing training, sharing materials, team teaching, cooperatively planning and encouraging them. They in turn talk about gaining new skills and fresh ideas.

"The community wins too when its schools can properly prepare all children to enter the community ready to contribute at their best level", says Sally.

There's a chance that Greg Prater would have owned his own business no matter what. He is driven by a strong motivation to work hard, make money and be in control. The car accident at age 17 which left him with severe brain injury would only slow down the journey to business ownership. Greg, who is developmentally disabled, opened Greg's Vending Machines in April 2003 and grossed $15,000 in the first year.

This May, Greg accepted the first Maryland Disabled Small Business Person of the Year award which highlights a business owner who successfully managed the dual issues presented by starting a business and having a disability. Organizers said they were looking for an individual who has a severe physical, developmental or mental disabilities and improved their quality of life through business ownership.

Greg will tell you he has indeed improved his life and he wants "people to understand that while I have a disability, I can work and earn money and I hope others see this as an opportunity."

Just as he had to struggle back from the car accident, his road to ownership had some bumps. But he credits hard work, perseverance and the vision of the people at The Arc of Carroll County for smoothing the road. Greg was frustrated with the contract work at The Arc's sheltered workshop, consisting mostly of collating and packaging. During a particularly slow period, Greg built a small side business selling chewing gum. This entrepreneur attitude prompted The Arc to take a second look at Greg, and together, they developed a new vision for his future. Greg became a pioneer in the Reach Independence through Self-Employment (RISE) program created by the Division of Rehabilitation Services of Maryland State Department of Education. Greg was offered a chance to build a business with RISE's assistance in creating the business plan and start-up money.

Today, Greg manages five vending machines at The Arc and a neighboring business, Advanced Vacuum. He has assistance through The Arc for financial recordkeeping and difficult tasks. He also has plans to expand the business.

Greg's life changed dramatically at age 17, and in some ways just as dramatically at age 37 when he opened Greg's Vending Machines. As a successful business owner in the community and a member of the Carroll County Chamber of Commerce, he hopes he'll change others' lives too.

Flashing campus ID cards, maneuvering a labyrinth of unfamiliar buildings with map in hand, dining on cafeteria food, and making new friends is a rite of passage for young adults across our country. Experiencing campus life and independence for the first time is accompanied by learning lessons that mold students into who they will be in the real world. While the opportunity for higher learning is available to many young minds, this experience is rare, and in most cases non-existent, for students with developmental disabilities. However, an innovative partnership between The Arc of Frederick County, Hood College, and Frederick County Public Schools is breaking barriers to make the college experience available to students between the ages of 18 to 21 with developmental disabilities.

In February of 2005, The Arc of Frederick County and Hood College launched Take Charge: Life Leadership. Funded by the Maryland Developmental Disabilities Council, the nine session, semester-long course is offered on the college campus. This premiere program is being taught by Kathleen Bands and JoEllen Smallwood, two celebrated professors from Hood's Department of Education. The collaboration allowed for the inception of a curriculum tailored to the specific interests of the class participants.

The course is designed to equip students with leadership skills that will prepare them to actively participate in their transition process as they exit public school and pursue employment opportunities. Through a variety of activities that include generating an idea, breaking the idea down into a series of steps, and mapping out how to turn that idea into reality, the students are given the opportunity to work together to problem solve and develop teambuilding skills.

Identifying personal talents that students can bring to a team is a major focus of the course. Each student develops a personal mission statement that encourages them to think about how their interests can be engaged in the workforce. The class also prepares students to become comfortable with the interview process and to promote themselves to potential employers. A host of Hood College staff serve as mentors to the students by setting up mock interviews, allowing the students to put their competence to the test.

In addition to the educational benefits of the class, the social opportunities are immeasurable. Recently, a class participant had an impromptu meeting in the Blazer Cafe with an old high school friend who now attends Hood, and the two caught up over a burger and fries. Pride beamed from the face of the class participant when lunch was over. The friends exchanged telephone numbers before each headed back to their college classes.

Anthony Jones likes his job. Kirk Swain, partner, DM Group likes Anthony's work. And the message both of them say is that the right job is the one that's right for both employee and employer.

It happens that Anthony has a developmental disability. And to some degree that entered into his frustration with a series of job placements. He moved from marina, to trash collection, to a department store, a sausage place, a car dealership, fast food and others. He says he didn't feel comfortable and didn't like the atmosphere. Then he went to work part-time for Direct Mail Litho, a DM Group company. They gave him a uniform, a title, and respect. Soon, a second part-time job opened at the sister business, Jensen Press and they jumped at the chance to hire him. Again it was like magic.

Ask Anthony what makes the difference and he says, "I like the people and I like the work. It's smooth. I have friends." Ask The Arc of Southern Maryland's Florence Knapper and she says the difference is how they treat Anthony as a member of the team.

For the DM Group, the difference is finding an employee who is hard working, loyal and can stay on task. "Anthony is just exceptional.he's a standout," says Kirk. Which says something given that the DM Group and its six integrated divisions employ 200 people in production, marketing and support positions as well as contracts with about another 100 for handwork and special assembly projects.

DM Group, a second-generation family-owned direct mail marketing company, has production facilities in Prince Frederick, MD and an office in Upper Marlboro, MD. Working with The Arc has resulted in a number of good job placements. "It's been beneficial. It makes good business sense and it's a good thing to do," says Kirk. He explains that when you have a loyal employee who is efficient, everyone succeeds.

While Kirk says the DM Group doesn't specifically set out to cultivate an open environment, they certainly don't tolerant discrimination or insensitivity. That may be why Anthony is treated simply as one of the team.

Winning the 2005 Self-Advocate of The Year Award from The Arc of Maryland may not be Lisa Carter's most important achievement but it does celebrate the transformation of a young women with developmental disabilities into a concerned, informed citizen who's holding a full-time job while helping others to better their lives.

The smile that greets customers behind the counter at Dunkin Donuts in Easton belongs to Lisa. The regulars look forward to seeing her and her employer says the same. In fact, they considered transferring her to another location to tap her experience and skills, but luckily for the Easton customers, Lisa appears to be staying.

Her journey to this job was rough. It's hard enough to find jobs in the area but when you have a developmental disability you also have to fight discrimination and solve issues like how to get to work. Through job support services, Lisa landed the job at Dunkin Donuts 7 years ago.

What does a satisfying job do for a person? Well for Lisa it gave her renewed confidence and helped her blossom. Now she volunteers at the Chesapeake Center after work helping others with disabilities. And through The Arc of Talbot County, she was introduced to the self advocacy network People on the Go. Here she learned self advocacy and leadership skills.

Jeanette Roberts, Resource Coordinator for Talbot County Health Department, described Lisa as an "outgoing, social and caring individual" who "finds the good in others and makes certain that this goodness is shown to the world."

Lisa says her next challenge is improving transportation. As a member of the Regional Advisory Committee that advocates for the entire Eastern Shore, she is actively working to improve access to transportation. Her quest is to increase the normal service hours so people with disabilities can be more involved in the community and have opportunities to socialize in the evenings.

When people look at Ingrid Herrera, they don't see how she's like other 14-year olds. They generally see that she doesn't speak and moves a bit warily. They usually sense that she has a mental disability. That's when they stop seeing anymore.

Ingrid's mother would like you to see more, like she's a pretty Hispanic girl who can smile broadly. She likes her hair pulled back. She enjoys crafts and going on walks. She enjoyed seeing the movie "The Incredibles." She understands both English and Spanish. And she's doing better in school.

It's easier these days to talk positively about Ingrid, in a large part, according to her mother, because The Arc of Prince George's County helped them get a challenging situation under control. Ingrid had been disruptive at school and home. The Arc helped get Ingrid into the autism waiver program and to receive family support help. Today, with ongoing help from The Arc, she is doing well in school and at home.

This help almost didn't come because of two barriers: the barrier of discrimination towards people with disabilities and the language barrier. Overcoming the latter helped battle the former. Ingrid's mother was given The Arc's phone number with the hopeful note that they had services available in Spanish. There she met an interpreter Zayli Bocanegra .

With the language barrier defeated, the Herrera's were able to tap The Arc's vast resources. The message Ingrid's mother wants to get out to other families with children or adults with developmental disabilities, especially those whose first language is Spanish is that "help is out there. The Arc is here and willing to help."

Obviously, the battle against discrimination will take more effort and time. The first step she says is to stop hiding people with disabilities. Ingrid goes everywhere with the family and people know her. "She is part of the family which includes being in the community," she says. "The community has to learn to accept children with disabilities and we're not giving up."

Imagine being selected to receive a state citizenship award in recognition of outstanding contribution to the community. Then, as the recipient, representing your state for a national citizenship award. It would be very exciting. For Mary Byrne who is receiving the award from The Arc of Maryland, it's also all in a day's work.

As a second year AmeriCorps Project CONNECTS volunteer, Mary is an effective leader and team member who, according to The Arc of Montgomery County's Volunteer Services Manager Carol Neckar, is "well respected for her innovation and creative problem solving." She also has developmental disabilities.

AmeriCorps is one of a network of national service programs that engage more than 50,000 Americans each year in intensive service to meet critical needs in education, public safety, health, and the environment. Project CONNECTS, operated by The Arc of Montgomery County (The Arc-MC), focuses on enhancing the lives of seniors and children throughout Montgomery County. Volunteers are both individuals with and without disabilities who work at nursing centers, senior centers, senior apartment complexes and adult and child day care centers. They provide companionship and assist seniors with light housekeeping tasks, recreational and social activities and assist children with playtime, story time, arts and crafts, snacks and lunch.

Before joining AmeriCorps, Mary is a consummate volunteer who is always asking what needs to be done. As a member of The Arc-MC's community volunteer group, VISION, she has helped plan and implement many programs including a Holiday project at a local soup kitchen. This one brought extra smiles to needy children's faces when they got a sock stuffed with gifts and a chance to have a picture taken with Santa that they took home in a frame.

When you ask Mary why she volunteers, she just smiles and says "because." Others like Carol Neckar say it's because Mary's mantra is "be the best you can be." She lives that mantra daily. More than a year ago, she faced serious health issues that took months to recover from but relying on a "positive attitude, quiet tenacity and sheer determination, she bounced back," said Carol. And since has been even more involved assisting with art and dance classes and being involved with STAND, the self-advocacy group.

At The Arc-MC's annual Fashion Show last year, Mary told the 500 attendees including many state and local elected officials, that people like her could be contributing members of society. She also said that agencies like The Arc of Montgomery County were critical in helping people with disabilities realize their potential as contributing members of society.

Meet Emily and Kelsey. They have been best friends since kindergarten. They play baseball, go to movies, have sleepovers, hang out with friends and will graduate from high school together in two years. So what's different? One happens to have a developmental disability.

This story shows the power of friendship. It also points to the value of early intervention in creating success for those with developmental disabilities.

We have to start at the beginning shared so well in Emily Pulleyn's prize-winning essay in The Arc of Maryland's "Together We're Better" Poster and Essay contest.

"Entering kindergarten is a huge step in a child's life; they meet new friends and their peers that will be with them until graduation. When I went to kindergarten, I was thrilled! I couldn't wait to meet my teacher and new friends. Kelsey Rowe was one of the first friends I made. At the time I had no idea that she had Down Syndrome, a genetic disorder that affects a person's physical characteristics and cognitive capabilities."

"That year we became very close and our friendship continued that way through 3rd grade. We had the same teacher for four years and were inseparable, our parents and teachers thought that Kelsey and I should spend a little time apart, so naturally they just moved our desks to different ends of the room. Well Kelsey found that unacceptable so she moved her desk back and promptly informed our teacher that she would sit by Emily and that was that."

Kelsey and Emily didn't stay in the same class after 3rd grade, but they did stay friends. They credit those first few years as changing their lives forever because it allowed their friendship to bond.

"Our friendship has changed both our lives," says Emily. "Kelsey has changed who I am and who I would have been. She has changed my family and all my friends. Kelsey is a loving and caring person who refuses to judge based on any differences and she has made me the same way in so many instances."

Kelsey essentially says the same about Emily. Emily has included Kelsey in many activities where she made friends and became accepted by their non-disabled peers. That has led to joining the track team and getting involved in other school activities.

Kelsey's school day includes a mix of inclusive and special education classes which both girls point out is important and good. Emily notes that it's a shame so many are "shut up" in special education. "It's important to be in regular classes so you can make friends. Later on [these students'] employers will be the people who were their friends in school," explains Emily. And that's a pretty important message that's really more than a message – it is how change gets started.

"Adults don't see Kelsey the way kids see her," says Emily. "But I'll be a different adult." And so will Kelsey and the other students at North Caroline Senior High School.

Being part of the community would not have been possible if Ken's parents had followed the doctor's advice and institutionalized him. Instead, Ken grew up with his family that included brothers and sisters and lots of family pets.

To the Maryland legislators that he addresses regularly, Ken is a powerful example of what people with passion and the first-hand experience of disabilities can do. This 40-year old man has Cerebral Palsy and uses a headstick to operate a computer to speak, to control his electric chair, to dial a phone and more. He works for People on the Go, a statewide self advocacy group that is supported by The Arc of Maryland, and lives at home with his mother in Prince George's County. He uses his experience, passion and energy to advocate so others can have the opportunity of living in the community.

What was life like growing up with cerebral palsy? Well being the second youngest of six children with working parents meant that as a child he was often babysat by his older brother and sister. When with his brother, it meant wild rides through the woods as his brother pushed the wheelchair up and down some monstrous hills. When it was his sister's day, it meant Ken got to hear all the girls' gossip and some good stories. Then there were kickball games where friends pushed him around the bases or helped him hide in hide-and-seek games.

"The experience I had growing up with my family and in the community made me a strong, self confident person," says Ken. "As I meet people who didn't have the same opportunities that I had, I want to make life better. Just as my parents questioned the doctor's advice, so today am I challenging stereotypes about people with disabilities."

Ken's legislative advocacy has garnered many accomplishments including passage of several key bills this year relating to rights and quality assurance. Mentored by The Arc of Maryland, Ken testified on behalf of the state budget and how it impacts upon the 14,000 children and adults with developmental disabilities who are waiting for needed services.

Through empassioned families, teachers, and advocates like Ken working with The Arc, 460 students will have access to Transitioning Youth Programs that will help them move from school into productive employment and needed training programs.

Ken says his role is to educate and he thinks he is doing just that. Just ask any legislator who has seen Ken at work! But he also says his goal is to open up community living opportunities so no family is faced with the prospect of institutionalization as his was.

"The world has truly changed since the days when children like me were placed in institutions. Today with all the wonderful technology and programs, I feel everyone can live in the community. Just give us the chance," says Ken with proof that it's true.

Creating Change
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“When I said those words ‘Down syndrome’ to the child care center owner, it was as if time had stopped. Only moments before there were three spaces available for an infant. Now there were none. My son was six months old.”

This scenario repeated itself so many times that Tonia Ferguson had to pinch herself when she finally heard a “yes.” Jared would finally have a place to grow, learn and play with other kids. He’d be able to make friends and be safe while Tonia, a single mom, earned a living.

Tonia repeats this story many times because while she was finally successful in finding high quality childcare for Jared, too many families do not have such a success story. Tonia credits The Arc of Maryland in creating an environment where there are more successes. Working with The Arc as a volunteer and then as Director of Education and Legal Advocacy, Tonia has seen first-hand the power of advocacy to create change.

“I knew we had to make inclusive child care a reality for Maryland’s children. Through The Arc of Maryland, I was able to work with legislators, state departments and other advocates to create a Task Force on Inclusive Child and After-School Care to examine the issue and make recommendations to the Maryland General Assembly so all children, with and without disabilities, can learn together, have fun together, and reach their full potential together,” explained Tonia. “Now that’s creating change."

A new chapter began for Tonia and Jared as he moved from an inclusive child care center to an inclusive kindergarten. There he is learning side by side with his typical peers. “I continue to create change as Jared is this school first kindergartener with a disability,” said Tonia. “The school and I have been able to form a wonderful partnership ensuring Jared has a quality public education alongside his typical peers.”

Tonia says that she’ll always have to be a strong advocate for Jared and that means also being a strong advocate publicly – a role that she says The Arc of Maryland and the people she’s met through The Arc have prepared her for and will support her in.

“It is,” she says, “everybody's schoolhouse.”

Making A Difference In Her Community
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The mantra of a dedicated citizen “I will make a difference” became the name and the mission for Anna Burkett’s community group. MADE—Make a Difference Everywhere was formed just a year ago but has already spurred change and improvement in Anna’s neighborhood beginning with her high-rise apartment complex. A new garden decked out with flowers, stepping stones, decorative statues plus birdhouses and hummingbird feeders has turned a vacant area into a popular relaxation spot for Claiborne Place residents who are largely seniors and people with disabilities.

MADE hasn’t just created a habitat for apartment residents, it has also spurred improvements to sidewalks and ramps at the near-by shopping center to improve access for people using wheelchairs, walkers and scooters. One store installed new automatic doors. MADE members are continuing their efforts to assure that the improvements are completed and to encourage action by other shopping centers.

Anna, who has a cognitive disability and uses a scooter for longer distances, credits The Arc’s Partners in Policymaking program is giving her the idea, motivation, and resources to build her own organization. “At Partners, I learned a lot about many organizations and wanted to start my own." She saw that the apartment complex she lived in needed changes that would ultimately benefit all residents not just those with mobility challenges.

The Arc’s Partners in Policymaking doesn’t create a citizen or an advocate, it provides the access and support for citizens like Anna to emerge. The Arc empowers.

Today, Anna is an active member with The Arc and a community volunteer, serves on our Board of Directors and the Board of Leadership for the Cross Disabilities Rights Coalition, and is a frequent visitor to the State House to support legislative advocacy. To assist in driving a key legislative point home, Anna hosted Senator John C. Astle in her home where she provided a compelling example of how living in the community is the best option.

Like Sen. Astle, Donna Shavatt, manager of Claiborne Place, is impressed with Anna when she told a Capital reporter "Anna will go after something and make it happen. She just wants to make the world better and she's starting with Annapolis."

“I am working and fighting for people's rights. I will keep learning more about advocating. I am making a difference,” says Anna.

Three children…Three different educational strategies…One school.
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All children are created equal – and unique. Richard and Valerie Sharp know that keenly. Their eldest Jared has Asperger syndrome, middle son Alex is typical and the youngest Geena has Down syndrome. Among the many skills Richard and Valerie had to develop as parents was how to advocate.

“You have hopes and dreams for each child and making those come true begins with their education which requires advocating for your child. In our case, we found we have to advocate very differently for each,” said Richard.

They also found that advocacy requires education and training so it was back to school for both parents. In 2005 Valerie graduated from The Arc of Maryland’s Partners in Policymaking and Richard followed in 2006.

Partners changed their lives. Before Partners, they knew little about inclusive education and understood less about the value of it and how to make it work for Jared, Geena and – yes – Alex. Part of what they learned in the process is that inclusive education serves all.

Through Partners, presenters and other parents provided an abundance of information and showed the Sharps an array of options. They learned how to make good decisions and most importantly strategies for how to work with educators and others to implement those decisions.

Today, all three children are proving that an inclusive education works. For Geena the change has been most dramatic. The Sharps advocated for Geena to attend a typical pre-school class two days a week. She made more gains in communication and social skills in a month than in the previous 6 months in the special needs program. She has since completed a full year of inclusive pre-k and is attending kindergarten with her typical classmates. “I now realize that the only barrier holding Geena back was in my head,” says Richard.

He describes Partners as being transformational. “It helped us look outside our family. And when you learn how to help others, you learn how to help yourself as well.”

For Valerie, the transformation was more personal: “I saw Geena’s future. It helped me see the whole she can become. It gave me tools.”

They describe gaining self-confidence that has helped them each become stronger and more effective leaders. Now they have the confidence to speak out for their children and thousands of others. Richard has testified in Annapolis, serves on the Governor’s Infant and Toddler state committee. Together, the couple helped launch an inclusion pilot program in Carroll County.

Partners is helping Richard, Valerie and 300 other graduates in Maryland change minds and change lives.

A Dream Come True
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Lisa McGann had a dream. A dream that one day her daughter Claire, a successful student in the inclusion program at a Harford County’s school, would have a full life in her community after graduating from school. A life filled with the things that Claire loves to do, such as attending sporting events, window shopping, watching movies, going for walks, and even grocery shopping. In a job or volunteer market where experience and excellence are prerequisites to getting an interview, let alone employment, it seemed unlikely that anyone would be willing to take a chance on a person like Claire who takes some time in getting to know. Lisa recognized that Claire had to be exposed to and involved in her surrounding community, starting as soon as possible in her middle school years, if she was ever to be successful after she graduated.

It has been five years since Lisa wrote to Tim Quinn, Executive Director at The Arc Northern Chesapeake Region, and shared her dream for her daughter’s life. In Spring 2005, an opportunity arose for this dream to become a reality. As part of The Arc’s Community Partners, the pilot service initiative, Arc Life Assistance was formed. This new service has helped create the groundwork for facilitating supports in the transition to community living for young people with developmental disabilities by developing a partnership between these young people, their families, and staff from The Arc. The open exchange of information and ideas among the family members and Arc staff was encouraging. The Arc was able to help families understand what adult services looked like, and might look like for their children, while families discussed both the challenges they face and the special joys they have as parents of young people with disabilities.

Claire McGann, now twelve, attends Bel Air Middle School and through the initiative has developed a deeper relationship with people in the places that she frequents . . . what once was a smile given to Claire by a store employee has now evolved into an interaction. Claire’s decision-making skills have increased, and through techniques such as eye gazing to communicate, she now has more ability to control aspects of her life. For example, Claire has learned picture symbols of food items and now helps mom with grocery shopping. “Even though the program has ended, Claire is still reaping the benefits,” says Lisa McGann. Arc Life Assistance has enabled Lisa to keep her daughter at home all summer with her sisters while keeping Lisa at her own emotional and physical best by offering a few hours of help each week. “What a gift,” she adds.

Brian likes to talk. He also likes to listen. Perhaps most importantly he likes to give a voice to others. So it makes sense that he’s been a part of the Ask Me! Project for 5 ½ years. In that time, Brian has met a lot of people and traveled throughout the state gathering stories and data that give a voice to individuals with developmental disabilities.

Through Ask Me! about 1400 people are surveyed annually about their quality of life and satisfaction with services provided through a myriad of agencies in Maryland. The survey issues statewide findings and recommendations to state government. The four-year survey cycle was just completed and for the first time the results were made public so that consumers could see a “report card” on each agency and compare agencies. This “Consumer Report” gives power to make good decisions to those who need and use services, while holding agencies accountable.

“We helped people get their word across!” explains Brian. “This is a good outlet for those who don’t get to say anything. We give them time to say what they need, how they like it and what is going on with their life.”

What’s different about this survey project is the impact it has on the surveyors as well as those being surveyed. You see the surveyors like Brian are people with developmental disabilities. And for Brian, this project has been as much an exploration of the needs and satisfaction for others with developmental disabilities as is has been about his own life.

“Brian’s role in the project has translated to a greater self-confidence. He’s learned about himself and is even taking steps to direct his own services,” said Tracy Wright, project coordinator. This self-confidence has taken Brian from being an interviewer to helping train and mentor other interviewers.

Today Brian divides his time between part-time jobs with Six Flags, Redskins Park, and Ask Me! as a surveyor and trainer. He also takes time for some community volunteering. You’ll even catch him at home occasionally relaxing - where you’ll hear great music in the background.

Ask Me! has provided Brian a way to help others that’s unlike anything else he does – and in doing so a way to help himself that’s changed his life.