Independence Now, Inc.

10/31/2025

Happy Halloween from all of us at Independence Now! 🦇 Have a spooky, joyful day celebrating community, creativity, and independence.

IMAGE: Orange background with black and orange pumpkins, leaves, and candles at the top. Text in the center reads “Happy Halloween” with bat icons above and below. The Independence Now logo is placed at the bottom center.

10/31/2025

In this edition of the Weekly Roundup!

As we wrap up October, don’t miss I AM Session 2: Building Community Power Through Advocacy on November 17 from 2:00–3:30 pm via Zoom. Learn how to share your story, organize for change, and strengthen your voice in Maryland’s disability advocacy movement. PLUS all new November events AND complete some surveys - get some $$

Read more: https://mailchi.mp/aa1fa73c076d/10242025-13058735

10/30/2025

Join us for our November Cooking Class: Comfort Foods with a Healthy Twist

WHEN: Thursday, November 20 from 1–3 pm
WHERE: Independence Now, 12301 Old Columbia Pike, Suite 101 (Silver Spring)

We’ll make Turkey & Veggie Shepherd’s Pie and a Cranberry Apple Salad—low-cost, nutritious, and delicious. We’ll also demo kitchen assistive tech so everyone can cook safely and independently.

To register or request reasonable accommodations, contact Rochelle Harrod at rharrod@innow.org or 240-898-2184.

IMAGE: “November Cooking Class: Comfort Foods with a Healthy Twist.” Photo of a slice of shepherd’s pie on a plate. Details: Nov 20, 1–3 pm, Independence Now—Silver Spring. Menu: Turkey & Veggie Shepherd’s Pie and Cranberry Apple Salad. Includes assistive tech demo.

10/30/2025

Don’t miss I AM Session 2: Building Community Power Through Advocacy!

Monday, November 17, 2025
2:00–3:30 pm via Zoom
Click here to register for I AM: https://buff.ly/RcTRNA0

Change doesn’t happen alone — it happens when we raise our voices together! Join this empowering session to learn how people with disabilities, CILs, and advocacy groups can organize, share stories effectively with legislators, and make real change on Maryland disability policy issues.

IMAGE: A digital flyer with a maroon background reads: “I AM. Building Community Power Through Advocacy. Monday, November 17, 2:00–3:30 pm.” On the right, a woman with short brown hair wearing a red sweater smiles while gesturing with her hand, seated in a wheelchair. A faded Maryland flag pattern appears in the background.

10/29/2025

As we close out National Disability Employment Awareness Month, we’re sharing the Campaign for Disability Employment’s “Working Works” video.

“Working Works” highlights the many reasons people work—earning a living, pursuing a passion, or being part of a team. It also shows how individuals, employers, and healthcare professionals can collaborate to create effective stay-at-work and return-to-work strategies after illness or injury.

Watch the video: https://buff.ly/RJHXXBp

The Campaign for Disability Employment's “Working Works” PSA explores the many reasons people work, including after injury or illness. The PSA’s four primary...

10/29/2025

“I Want My Life Back.” That’s what many people say when they’re ready to move out of a nursing facility and return to community living.

Our Money Follows the Person (MFP) program helps residents transition into apartments, private homes, or small group settings with the supports they need.

Join our next free Zoom seminar to learn more:
WHEN: Tuesday, November 18, 2025 at 1:00 PM via Zoom
Register here: https://buff.ly/BjCqXuV

IMAGES: Front & back of Independence Now flyer titled “I Want My Life Back.” Promotes the Money Follows the Person program and monthly Zoom seminars to help people transition from nursing facilities to community living. Includes dates, registration link, and contact info. Alt text embedded in individual images.

10/28/2025

The National Capital Region Transportation Planning Board is inviting residents and community members to share feedback during the public comment period for the draft Visualize 2050 National Capital Region Transportation Plan.

The comment period runs from October 23 to November 21, 2025. You can review the draft plan, the FY 2026–2029 Transportation Improvement Program (TIP), and the Air Quality Conformity Analysis Report at https://buff.ly/2uZ6hx8.

Visit the Get Involved page to learn how to submit comments or share information with your networks: https://buff.ly/tAEH1JW

A TIP Forum will also be held on November 13, 2025, at 6:00 p.m. (doors open at 5:30 p.m.). You can attend in person or join virtually at https://buff.ly/22GTSLO.

Visualize 2050 is the next iteration of the National Capital Region Transportation Plan for the Washington DC, suburban Maryland, and Northern Virginia region. The plan is a milestone of an ongoing transportation planning process highlighting the region’s planned investments through the year 2050 ...

10/28/2025

Get ready to light up the night at THE FUSE Halloween Bash 🎃

THE FUSE is Maryland’s ultimate inclusive nightclub where everyone—no matter their ability—gets to party without limits. This monthly 21+ nightlife experience brings together the area’s hottest performers, great food, and a high-energy, judgment-free crowd. It’s all about good vibes, great music, and a space where everyone belongs.

Don’t miss the fun with Alter Ego and DJ Vision this Friday, Nov. 1 in Millersville!

🎟️ Tickets: https://www.obiworks.org/the-fuse

County

ONE. WEEK. AWAY.
THE FUSE Halloween Bash is almost here! 🧟‍♀️

Get your tickets and your costume READY.

🎸 Live band: Alter Ego
🎧 DJ: DJ Vision
📅 Nov. 1st
📍 Millersville, Md
🎟️ Tickets: Grab your tickets now: www.obiworks.org/the-fuse

10/28/2025

Did you miss Part 1 of Our Ride Ahead: Disability & Dating? Don't worry, there's still time to catch Part 2!

Part 1 on Disability & Dating was a fantastic conversation with Bianca I Laureano and Evan Sweeney, empowering youth with disabilities (ages 16+) with insights on navigating the dating world.

Now, dive deeper! Join us for Part 2: Disability, Romance, & Sexual Health, where we'll continue the conversation with experts Bethany Stevens, Cherry Kaufman, Rise, and Bianca I Laureano.

Part 2: Disability, Romance, & Sexual Health

This session is designed for disabled young adults (ages 18+) and will explore crucial topics around:

- Romance and intimacy
- Sexual health and communication
- Challenging stigma and advocating for your needs
- Don't miss this important and inclusive discussion!

When: November 6 at 6:30 pm ET
Ages: 18+
Accessibility: Free, open to the public, with live captioning and ASL interpretation provided.

Our Ride Ahead webinars are free and open to the public. Live captioning and ASL interpretation will be provided. Learn more and register at https://buff.ly/gPttHYx!

IMAGE: A navy, yellow, and orange promotional graphic for two "Our Ride Ahead" webinars. Text reads "Part 1: Disability & Dating. October 24, 7pm ET. Ages 16+" with headshots of Bianca I Laureano and Evan Sweeney. Below text reads "Part 2: Disability, Romance, & Sexual Health. November 6, 6:30pm ET. 18+" with headshots of Bethany Stevens, Cherry Kaufman, Rise, and Bianca I Laureano. Below text reads "RSVP for free at https://buff.ly/vmgiUYI"

10/27/2025

This is an important step forward for Maryland’s disability community! We’re excited to see the priorities outlined in the 2025–2027 State Disabilities Plan come to life — creating more accessible, inclusive, and empowering opportunities for all.

We’re proud to announce the release of the 2025-2027 Maryland State Disabilities Plan.
This is a roadmap to strengthen how we serve our disability community by expanding accessibility, improving services, and making inclusion a top priority in everything we do.

Here’s a snapshot of what plan focuses on:

- Improving accessibility in public spaces, digital media, transportation, and community programs.

- Strengthening inclusion by increasing collaboration across agencies, employers, and community partners.

- Empowering self-advocacy so people with disabilities can have a voice in the programs and policies that affect their lives.

- Building awareness to foster understanding, respect, and equity statewide.

Learn more and read the full plan using the link below.
https://bit.ly/47GpMCs

10/27/2025

Are you ready to take the next step toward securing housing? Join us for a powerful discussion on how to prepare your documents, pull your credit report, get renters’ insurance, and everything in between to set yourself up for success in the housing process.

And be sure to stick around after the session for Housing Truth Tellers, a group dedicated to advocating for fair and accessible housing!

Housing Seminar: Getting Your House in Order + Housing Truth Tellers
November 13 from 1:00 pm - 3:00 pm
Register: https://buff.ly/BJxxePf

After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the meeting.

ADA Reasonable Accommodations: Sign language interpreter services and other auxiliary aids or services will be provided upon a 2-week request before the event.

IMAGE 1: A person in a wheelchair receiving a set of keys from another person's hand, advertising a housing seminar on getting documents and credit in order.

IMAGE 2: A young woman in a wheelchair sitting near a large window, advertising a "Housing Truth Tellers" event for sharing experiences and connecting with legislators.

10/27/2025

🚨 Important information from the American Association of People with Disabilities — stay informed about how the ongoing government shutdown may affect federal programs and services.

Sharing from AAPD: The federal government shutdown is now in its fourth week, with no immediate end in sight. As you can read about in our previous explainer, Congress has failed to pass a funding bill, leaving millions without access to critical programs. On October 22, at least 25 states announc...