All Marylanders, once they have their 18th Birthday May Vote In Our State!

There are very few exceptions. See Me See MY Ability talks with Mary Ann Mogavero of the Maryland State Board of Elections. Your one-stop to shop website to check on voter registration, finding your place to cast your ballot, and for early voting for the Maryland Primary is here.

For a brief background about Ms. Mogavaro click here.

Early voting is a week before Maryland's presidential primary day which is on Tuesday, May 14th. 

Victoria M. Rodríguez-Roldán was appointed by Maryland Governor Wes Moore as Statewide Autism Coordinator, in the Maryland Department of Disabilities. Ms. Roldan has spent years as an activist in the non-profit sector and has worked for the federal government. This Baltimore-based attorney has served as Chair of the Board of Directors of the Autism Self Advocacy Network, on the Bar of the Disability Rights Association, and has been a board members of the ACLU and the Equity New York.

She talks candidly about her work experiences, and her academic writings for law journals in the U.S. 

Ross Barchacky is a disabled American veteran who served in the Army during Operation Enduring Freedom, after 9/11/2001. He is Head of Partnerships for a company that finds employment opportunities for other veterans called Inclusively and is also a member of the Arc of Loudon County's board of directors. Barchacky, via Zoom, visited the Podcasting Class of the Arc Southern Maryland.

Employee Spotlight: Ross Barchacky, Director of Partnerships (inclusively.com)

For more resources on developing a "skills" resume and other helpful hints please listen to our archives, and this podcast featuring Brian Haas of the Maryland State Department of Education, Division of Rehabilitation Services (DORS)

The Arc Southern Maryland podcasting class talked about relationships yesterday and wanted to send you their thoughts about Saint Valentine's Day. Here's your bonus episode!

The Arc Southern Maryland is gearing up to go to Annapolis next week to advocate for continued funding of services for those with developmental disabilities. D-D- Day is next Wednesday, February 21. We talked to two young men about their thoughts about representing the Arc Southern Maryland and hearing their messages to lawmakers and all Marylanders. Meet Adam Dethlof and Alex Murray.

For more information see the website of the Maryland Developmental Disabilities Council here https://www.md-council.org/

For background information about legislation that is being watched by the Arcs across Maryland please click here:  http://www.thearcmd.org/

Please leave us some stars or a review! It will help others find this podcast!

Every year parents and advocates for those of us with developmental or intellectual disabilities go to our State Capital in Annapolis to talk to lawmakers about our needs and wants. We all pay taxes to our government for services. In America we have a right to speak up and demand our fair share. This podcast features the Executive Director of the Arc of Maryland Ande Kolp and Arc Director of Communications and Engagement Luc Chasse. The Arc of Maryland serves as the legislative liaison to lawmakers. In this episode you will learn that your stories and points of view are very important to lawmakers and they want to hear from you. Please see below to register your attendance and for more background on D-D-Day, Wednesday,  February 21, 2024

To register for DD Day: https://DD-Day-24.eventbrite.com

Link to where Fact Sheets for the Day will be available: https://www.md-council.org/policy/public-policy-priorities/dd-day-at-the-legislature/

Link to watch an event on the web via livestream: https://www.facebook.com/people/Maryland-Developmental-Disabilities-Coalition/100064565118995/

Justin Valenti is a visual artist, author, and a 28-year-old man diagnosed with Autism. He recently received recognition from Maryland Governor Wes Moore for his contributions to visual and street art in the Free State. Justin shares his story with See Me. See My Ability: The Podcast of the Arc Southern Maryland. We are more than meets the eye. Justin is the epitome of living beyond one's diagnosis. 

Find Justin's work via the following links:

https://www.facebook.com/justinvalenti96

https://www.facebook.com/VisArtsCenter

Find a link to Justin's books on Amazon Here:

http://tinyurl.com/Justin-Valenti-Artists-Books

The artwork that accompanies this episode is from Justin's Facebook page and used with permission.

We're not contagious! We may talk differently, have difficulty talking or making eye contact, or seem different. But, like you, we want to be seen and heard. Welcome to the first episode of 2024 of See Me. See My Ability. We're more than meets the eye! Get to know us.