Melwood

This Disability Pride Month, we reflect on how far we've come and how far we still must go to break barriers to create a truly inclusive society. A reflection on history is a great way to begin this process. On this day in 1867, the San Francisco Board of Supervisors approved the first of America's "ugly laws." Designed to prohibit street begging, and to restrain certain persons from appearing in streets and public places, ugly laws discouraged people with visible disabilities from appearing in public, and paved the way for the arrest and detainment of people with visible disabilities. The last of these laws was not retracted until 1974. Disability Pride Month boldly reminds us that disability is a natural part of human diversity, and is something people living with disabilities can take pride in. #DisabilityPrideMonth #DisabilityEmployment #Inclusion

As we pause to celebrate the upcoming July 4 holiday, it’s also important to reflect on the meaning of independence—especially among those in our community. For so many with disabilities, independence is about more than freedom from tyranny. Independence is the ability to have autonomy over one’s life; to have access to gainful employment and meaningful jobs that utilize one’s strengths to the fullest extent possible; and to be involved in decisions that determine an individual’s future. Today, and every day, Melwood is proud of the work we do supporting people with disabilities to live, work, and thrive in our community. Happy Independence Day from all of us at Melwood!

July is Disability Pride Month, a time to recognize and celebrate the fact that disability is a natural part of human diversity, and something people living with disabilities can take pride in. This Disability Pride Month we’re thrilled to amplify the voices of people with disabilities and introduce you to Derek Point, who boldly challenges stereotypes by showing people the incredible work and craftsmanship he is capable of. Let’s take this opportunity to celebrate individuals like Derek and honor the uniqueness of our community. #DisabilityPrideMonth

July is Disability Pride Month, a time to recognize and celebrate the fact that disability is a natural part of human diversity, and something people living with disabilities can take pride in. This Disability Pride Month we’re thrilled to amplify the voices of people with disabilities and introduce you to Derek Point, who boldly challenges stereotypes by showing people the incredible work and craftsmanship he is capable of. Let’s take this opportunity to celebrate individuals like Derek and honor the uniqueness of our community. #DisabilityPrideMonth

Today marks the 25th anniversary of one of the most important civil rights decisions for people with disabilities in our country's history: Olmstead v LC. On June 20, 1999, the United States Supreme Court ruled that people with disabilities have a qualified right to receive state funded supports and services in the community rather than institutions. Based on the Americans with Disabilities Act, the Olmstead decision has enabled an untold number of people with disabilities to live in their homes and communities instead of in institutions, and to have greater independence, autonomy, and opportunities to participate fully in their communities. Today and every day, Melwood is proud to carry forward the legacy of this groundbreaking court case. Through our mission to help people with disabilities live, work, and thrive in their communities, and through our advocacy and broader efforts to ensure people with disabilities and the Direct Support Professionals who support them have access life-affirming opportunities like good jobs, living wages, and affordable housing, we are proud to say WE ARE OLMSTEAD. To learn more visit www.melwood.org. #olmstead #disability #disabilityemployment #DisabilityRights

It took 2.5 years for the news of the Emancipation Proclamation to reach Galveston, Texas on June 19, 1865. And another 150 years for Juneteenth to be recognized as an official American holiday. The struggle for justice and inclusion is far from finished. At Melwood, we understand that every step we take toward full inclusion of all our citizens represents an advance in that significant journey.  

We want to thank everyone who helped make this weekend's Ribbon Cutting and Open House a success! Being able to celebrate our groundbreaking partnership with Children's National Hospital and mark this new chapter in the history of Camp Accomplish with family, friends, and the local community was a dream come true! We're especially grateful to Maryland State Senator Arthur Ellis, Del. Debra M. Davis, Esq., Commissioner President Reuben Collins, Charles County Commissioner VP Ralph Patterson, Charles County Commissioner Thomasina Coates, and Del. Edith Patterson for their continued support and recognition of Camp Accomplish, Children's National Hospital, and Melwood. #summercamp #CampAccomplish #Melwood #ChildrensNationalHospital #Inclusion

We are less than one week away from our Camp Accomplish Ribbon Cutting and Open House. This free family-centered event is open to the entire community and will feature live music, food tastings, rides and games, arts and crafts, and 3 different food trucks. Interested in learning more about all the ways you can learn and grow at Camp Accomplish? Join us this Saturday, June 8, as we showcase our newly renovated facilities and celebrate our partnership with Children's National Hospital. Register today! https://lnkd.in/eQkX8epX #SummerCamp #OpenHouse #InclusiveCamp #FamilyFriendlyEvent

As more companies seek to capitalize on untapped talents found within the disability community, it is critically important to remember that hiring more people with disabilities and retaining, fostering, and growing a diverse workforce are two different goals. In this Fast Company column, Melwood President & CEO Larysa Kautz offers three concrete steps leaders can take today to create a sustainable culture of inclusion that will benefit all employees and allow organizations to thrive in the long term. https://lnkd.in/dhiKGiiZ #DEIA #Inclusion #PeopleWithDisabilities #Disability #DiversityInTheWorkplace #DiverseWorkforce

When we equip students early in life with the knowledge and skills necessary to successfully navigate job and career pathways, they will be better prepared later in life to set and achieve career goals while attaining economic independence. Melwood is proud to be planting these seeds through the launch of the Youth Enrichment Services (YES) program at Apple Grove Elementary in School in Ft. Washington, Maryland, where students have access to a fully inclusive, strengths-based learning environment that encourages self esteem while fostering independence. At yesterday's YES Career Showcase, the students of Apple Grove Elementary demonstrated the passions they've been able to explore and the skills and strengths they have discovered within themselves over the last 9 months.