The Arc of Washington County, Inc.

08/08/2025

The Arc of Washington County is a proud recipient of a grant from The Ethan Saylor Alliance. Funds from this grant honor the life of Ethan Saylor - a young man with Down Syndrome who admired law enforcement and first responders; however, he lost his life during an altercation with an off-duty police officer*.

In Ethan Saylor's memory, this grant works to strengthen community by creating experiences between individuals with IDD and first responders. In this photo, people supported by The Arc of Washington County are proudly delivering baked goods to Washington County's Firefighters at Engine 4.

Thank you to The Ethan Saylor Alliance for partnering with The Arc of Washington County on this vital relationship.

*In 2013, Ethan went to the movies with a member of his support staff. When he didn’t leave the theater after the movie, off-duty police officers working as mall security used excessive force to remove him and Ethan lost his life. Ethan's tragic death revealed an urgent need to train law enforcement and other first responders to improve their interactions with people who have intellectual and developmental disabilities (I/DD).

https://www.ethansayloralliance.org/

08/08/2025

A video was recently shared by one of our Sr. Directors focusing on how we shouldn't judge someone based on their appearance. Worth the watch.

Never Judge People By Their Appearance

08/01/2025

Thank you for joining us!

08/01/2025

07/31/2025

Thank you Maryland US Rep April McClain Delaney for taking the time to meet with The Arc of Washington County's Leadership team and tour our campus. Thank you for continuing to make Disability Awareness, Acceptance and Support a priority in Maryland.



https://www.dcnewsnow.com/news/local-news/maryland/washington-county/medicaid-cuts-may-affect-maryland-disability-support-programs/

07/30/2025

Join our team!

https://ow.ly/7l1q50Ww1pQ

07/29/2025

Congratulations Rebecca! We are so proud of the work you do every day to support people in our residential homes.

Rebecca has been nominated for the Direct Support Professional Award at the Maryland Association of Community Services Conference!

Maryland Association of Community Services (MACS)

07/28/2025

35th Anniversary of the signing of the Americans with Disability Act!

July 26, 1990, the ADA was passed into law. Its overall purpose is to make American society more accessible to people with disabilities, and to protect those with disabilities from discrimination. According to the CDC, 27% of Americans have some kind of disability.


The ADA provides protection in five categories:

Employment: Requires employers to provide reasonable accommodations for applicants and employees with disabilities and prohibits discrimination on the basis of disability in all aspects of employment. Reasonable accommodation includes, for example, restructuring jobs, making worksites and workstations accessible, modifying schedules, providing services such as interpreters, and modifying equipment and policies.


Public Services: Public services (which include state and local government agencies, etc.) cannot deny services to people with disabilities or deny participation in programs or activities that are available to people without disabilities. In addition, public transportation systems, such as public transit buses, must be accessible to individuals with disabilities.


Public Accommodations: Public accommodations include facilities such as restaurants, hotels, grocery stores, retail stores, etc. This requires that all new construction and modifications must be accessible to individuals with disabilities.


Telecommunications: Telecommunications companies offering telephone service to the general public must have telephone relay service to individuals who use telecommunication devices for the deaf (TTYs) or similar devices.


Miscellaneous: Includes a provision prohibiting either (a) coercing or threatening or (b) retaliating against individuals with disabilities or those attempting to aid people with disabilities in asserting their rights under the ADA.

Prior to the ADA, those with disabilities were often looked down upon, or as less of a person. They were not thought of as active or worthy members of society. As such, life was much more limiting to those with disabilities. Getting and maintaining a job, having accommodations to help at school, even getting to school (no wheelchair access) were all difficulties.

The ADA has led to those with disabilities being able to live more inclusive and full lives!

07/21/2025

Christmas in July!

Lives

07/19/2025

Did you miss our Farmer's Market yesterday?! No worries - we have two more! Save the dates: August 15th and September 19th.

8am - 11am; Free & Open to the public

THANK YOU to our vendors!
, Cheese Goatees , Cool Brook Farm Farms; Produce and Berries; Pastures; 's Snacks; Test of Time Bakery; Waltz Family Farm