Disability Issues

I am writing on behalf of the Anne Arundel County Commission on Disability Issues, whose mission is to promote the interests and enhance the quality of life of people with disabilities, by providing advice on disability issues to County Executive John R. Leopold and the County Council. Six months ago, the county began imposing a $500 fine on persons who unlawfully park in spaces reserved for the disabled, or who block access to ramps and curb cuts, On Feb. 10, an article ran in The (Annapolis)

Sunday, April 22 'Alice,' the musical Final show of the musical based on "Alice's Adventures in Wonderland" and "Through the Looking Glass" takes place at 2 p.m. at the Children's Theatre of Annapolis, 1661 Bay Head Road. Tickets are $15, $12 for children 12 and younger and adults 60 and older. Information: 410-757-2281 or childrenstheatreofannapolis.org. Tuesday, April 24 Disability issues meeting The AAC Commission on Disability Issues holds its monthly meeting from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. at the Heritage Office Complex, Chesapeake Room, 2664 Riva Road, Annapolis.

Hours after meeting for the first debate of their hotly contested rematch, Democratic Gov. Martin O'Malley and Republican former Gov. Robert L. Ehrlich Jr. shared a stage again Monday afternoon to address the concerns of people with disabilities. Both candidates promoted their records on disability issues — Ehrlich created a state Department of Disabilities and O'Malley said he nearly doubled funding for programs for infants and toddlers with developmental issues — but hammered home differences on key issues.

Polar Bear Plunge The 16th annual Polar Bear Plunge will take place from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 28, at Sandy Point State Park, 1100 E. College Parkway in Annapolis. Admission is free to spectators, plungers must raise $50 in pledges. Information: plungemd.com. Blood drive The American Red Cross will hold a blood drive from 2 p.m. to 8 p.m. Wednesday, Jan. 18, at Galilee Lutheran Church, 4652 Mountain Road in Pasadena. To schedule an appointment and more information, call 800-733-2767 go to redcrossblood.org.

Hilary Zarenejad, a parent of two toddlers with special needs and a coordinator in Baltimore County's Infant and Toddlers Program, made several connections with service agencies and located information that she can use at home and on the job at a Respite and Resource Fair Tuesday. Baltimore County Public Schools sponsored the fair that drew about 15 government agencies and nonprofit groups to Battle Monument School in Dundalk. "It is amazing the resources available right here in Maryland and many of them are free," Zarenejad said, while clutching a hefty packet of brochures and applications.

The Howard County Commission on Disability Issues is seeking nominations for its annual leadership awards. The 2011 awards celebration will be held Oct. 6 at 7 p.m. at the Bain Center in Columbia. Nominees may be a business, community organization or individual that has provided exceptional services to or positively influenced the disability community. All nominees must live, work or provide services in Howard County. For nomination forms or more information about the awards and nominations categories, visit the Department of Citizen Services website at http://www.howardcountymd.gov/CitizenServices.

The Anne Arundel County Commission on Disability Issues will meet from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. Tuesday in the Chesapeake Room on the second floor of the Heritage Complex, 2664 Riva Road, Annapolis. George Failla of the Maryland Department of Disabilities will speak on legislative issues before the General Assembly. The commission meets on the fourth Tuesday of each month. To request accommodations, call the Americans with Disabilities Act office, 410-222-4383; voice/Maryland Relay 711, or e-mail, exjord00@aa county.

County Executive John G. Gary yesterday announced the formation of a commission to advise him on matters affecting Anne Arundel's disabled residents.The 21-member Commission on Disability Issues will study county services and buildings and make recommendations to Mr. Gary on ways to make them more accessible.Mr. Gary said the commission's input will be especially important as the county moves forward with several construction projects, including a new jail and a new courthouse."They're going to work with us to make sure we don't make any mistakes," Mr. Gary said yesterday.

Howard County Executive James N. Robey presented six awards at yesterday's 10th Howard County Commission on Disability Issues breakfast to residents and local businesses for making a difference by inspiring or helping people with disabilities. Tim Daly, a Columbia resident with ataxia, a rare neuromuscular disease that limits mobility and coordination, was given the individual achievement award. Working with college engineering students, Daly tailored his scooter and mower so that he could mow his lawn.

In terms of covering disability issues globally, few people know the world better than Jean Parker.Each week, over the Radio for Peace International (RPI) shortwave system, Parker's radio show, "Disability Radio Worldwide," has everything from interviews on the latest topics to what it's like to live with a disability in such war-torn areas as the West Bank and Gaza. Now two years on the air, it's easy to hear the passion she has for her subject.She first became drawn to the Costa Rican-based RPI because of the organization's interest in human rights.

The Howard County Department of Citizen Services Director Lois Mikkila and the Commission on Disability Issues announced the winners Oct. 6 of the County's 17th Annual Leadership Awards Program, which spotlights individuals and organizations who are change agents for full participation in community life for all, at The Bain Center in Columbia. The winners were: Business Leadership: B/A Products Company ; Business Leadership: MarTar Swim School ; Accessibility Leadership: Cheryl Berman ; Individual Leadership: Paul Weller ; and Individual Leadership, Youth: Robert Phillips, Jr . Howard County Government's 2011 Employee Recognition Winners were honored Oct. 7 at a ceremony at the Ten Oaks Ballroom.

Listings are accepted on a space-available basis. Deadline is 5 p.m. Thursday prior to date of publication at the latest. To submit contest items, mail to Contests, Patuxent Publishing Co. Editorial, 501 N. Calvert St., Baltimore, MD 21278; email hccalendar@patuxent.com ; fax 410-332-6336; or call 410-332-6497. Howard County Commission on Disabilities Issues - Seeking nominees for its annual leadership awards, given to recognize outstanding efforts in advancing full participation in community life for all citizens and promoting both the spirit and intent of the Americans with Disabilities Act. Nominees must live, work or provide services in Howard County.

Listings are accepted on a space-available basis. Deadline is 5 p.m. Thursday prior to date of publication at the latest. To submit contest items, mail to Contests, Patuxent Publishing Co. Editorial, 501 N. Calvert St., Baltimore, MD 21278; email hccalendar@patuxent.com ; fax 410-332-6336; or call 410-332-6497. Howard County Commission on Disabilities Issues - Seeking nominees for its annual leadership awards, given to recognize outstanding efforts in advancing full participation in community life for all citizens and promoting both the spirit and intent of the Americans with Disabilities Act. Nominees must live, work or provide services in Howard County.

Listings are accepted on a space-available basis. Deadline is 5 p.m. Thursday prior to date of publication at the latest. To submit contest items, mail to Contests, Patuxent Publishing Co. Editorial, 501 N. Calvert St., Baltimore, MD 21278; email hccalendar@patuxent.com ; fax 410-332-6336; or call 410-332-6497. Columbia Art Center Call for Entries — Seeking entries for its annual theme, "Umbrella Exhibition," to be held as part of Columbia International Day, July 23, 2 p.m.-sunset, Lake Kittamaqundi, in Columbia.

Theater performance The Annapolis Summer Garden Theatre presents "The Marvelous Wonderettes," a musical featuring girl-group songs from the 1950s and 1960s. The show opens Thursday, June 30, at 143 Compromise St. in Annapolis, and runs through July 24. Set at the 1958 Springfield High School prom, the show features four local women as a singing group with big hopes and dreams. Show times are 8:30 p.m. Thursdays-Sundays. Tickets $18. For tickets and more information, call 410-268-9212 or go to summergarden.com.

Four individuals and two organizations were recognized yesterday for their achievements on behalf of people with disabilities at the annual awards breakfast of the Howard County Commission on Disability Issues. Among them were a teen-ager who lobbied the County Council to make its meeting room more accessible, a woman who took care of 10 children while helping other parents navigate the school bureaucracy as advocates for their children with disabilities, a legally blind man who became a successful computer system analyst and a man who helped a man with autism through a difficult time.

The Howard County Commission on Disability Issues has honored several people and organizations, including the Roman Catholic Church of the Resurrection in Ellicott City, for improving the lives of the physically disabled.The commission presented six awards Tuesday morning at its first awards program in Columbia, as part of the National Disability Employment Awareness Month."It's really time to recognize contributions of people with disabilities and other people who are involved with disability issues -- people who have made efforts to improve accessibility," said Ann Wicke, an executive secretary with the commission.