February 1, 2019
Media Contacts:
Scott Peterson, Director of Communications, Office of Public Information, 202-277-9412
Michelle Henry, ADA Coordinator, Department of Community Resources and Services, 410-313-6431 (voice/relay)
ELLICOTT CITY, MD – The Howard County Commission on Disabilities will hold a public hearing on Wednesday, February 13 at 6:30 p.m. at the Bain 50+ Center, 5470 Ruth Keeton Way in Columbia, to discuss the “Draft Report on the Status of People with Disabilities in Howard County.” The draft report is available to view online at www.howardcountymd.gov/DisabilityReport.
“As a councilmember, I sponsored the legislation requesting this study because I wanted to make sure we were doing everything possible to serve our residents with disabilities and their families,” said Howard County Executive County Ball. “We must ensure that we are a model inclusive community for all, regardless of ability, and this report will help us identify areas of improvement and ways to strengthen our services.”
Pursuant to County Council Resolution 23-2018, the Commission researched the best practices in the area of disabilities services, specifically in the areas of education, peer relationships, employment, transportation and housing. The report highlights the Commission’s findings, as well as recommends actions the County should take to become a model community for residents with disabilities and improve its response to disability issues.
In drafting the report, the Commission collected data through public surveys, a public forum and input from various stakeholders. The public hearing will include an overview of the Commission’s findings and proposed recommendations, as well as provide residents with an opportunity to provide input and feedback on the draft report.
Residents who wish to speak at the hearing can sign-up online in advance, through 3:00 p.m., February 13, by going to www.signupgenius.com/go/20f054aacaf2fa4fb6-report. Those who do not wish to sign-up online will still be able to sign-up in person on the night of the hearing beginning at 5:30 p.m.
If a group of individuals want to provide testimony as an entity, each person must sign-up individually, providing their name, city of residence, the name of the entity, their relationship to the entity and whether they are authorized to speak on behalf of such entity.
Attendees will be heard in the order in which they are signed up. Each person, whether providing testimony in his or her individual capacity or as a representative of an entity, will be allowed a maximum of three minutes to speak. Group testimony is limited to five minutes. Each person may only testify once.
The hearing is open to the public and subject to the Maryland Open Meetings Act. Records related to the public hearing, including sign-up information, will be subject to the Public Information Act.
Those unable to attend the meeting who would like to provide written comments on the draft report, should email CDI@howardcountymd.gov by Wednesday, February 20. Residents are reminded that internet testimony is considered public information and, as such, is subject to the Maryland Public Information Act.
If Howard County facilities are closed due to inclement weather, the event will be held on February 20 at the same time and location.
Sign language interpreters will be available for the public hearing. If you need additional accommodations to participate in this hearing or for more information, contact Erica Lewis with the County’s Department of Community Resources and Services’ Office of ADA Coordination at 410-313-6402 (voice/relay) or email ealewis@howardcountymd.gov at least five business days in advance of the hearing.