2014 CODI ANNUAL REPORT--FINAL--4-30-15

The Anne Arundel County
Commission on Disability Issues
2014 Annual Report
Presented by:
Joelle M. Ridgeway, Chair
May 21, 2015

Anne Arundel County Commission on Disability Issues—2014 Annual Report 2
Anne Arundel County
Commission on Disability Issues
2014 Annual Report
Forward
The Commission on Disability Issues is pleased to present a summary of its
activities for the past year to County Executive Steven R. Schuh and the Anne
Arundel County Council.
In the following pages you will see that the Commission has been very active this
year. We have increased awareness in Anne Arundel County on disability issues
relating to facilities and services for residents with disabilities, and legislation
affecting people with disabilities. We have been a visible resource for those
seeking information through our attendance at community events and public
forums.
On behalf of the Commission, I want to take this opportunity to thank the County
Executive and the County Council for their continued support of this Commission
and disability issues. We look forward to continued progress in raising awareness
and reducing barriers in 2015.
Respectfully submitted,
Joelle M. Ridgeway
Chair

Table of Contents
Executive Summary..…………………….……………………………………….……………….....4
History……………………..………………………………………………………………………….….……4
Purpose…………………….…………………………………………………………………………….…….5
Disability Statistics…………………………………………………………………………………………..5
2014 Membership…………………………………………………………………………………….………6
Key Impacts of the Commission……..…………………………………………………………………….8
Americans with Disabilities (ADA) Coordinator Report….......…..………..…....9
2014 Accomplishments…..……..………………………………………………………….….…….…..….9
2015 Goals………………..…..………………….........…….………………………………………….…..10
2014 Committees ………………………………………………….………….….…………………11
Executive Committee……………………………………………………………………………………...11
Accessibility, Architecture, and Housing Committee…………………………………………….…..12
Children, Education, and Recreation Committee………………………………………………….…..12
Legislative Matters Committee……………………………………………………..…………………....13
Membership Committee…………………………………………………………….…….…………….…14
Public Relations Committee………………………………………………………………………………15
Public Safety and Outreach Committee…………………………………………………………………17
Transportation Committee…………………………………………………………..………………….18
2014 Events ……………………………………………………………………………………………19
Artists Without Limits Art Exhibit………………………………………………………………………19
Disability Awareness Day (DAD)……………………………………………………………………….20
Tables
Table 1: Anne Arundel County Residents with Disabilities…………………………………..……….5
Table 2: 2014 ADA Coordinator…………………………………………………………………..……….6
Table 3: 2014 Voting Members………………………………………………………………..……...…...6
Table 4: 2014 Ex-Officio Members………………………………………………….………......…..……7

Executive Summary
History
The Anne Arundel County Commission on Disability Issues (CODI) was established on April
20, 1995, by Executive Order under County Executive John Gary and re-promulgated by County
Executive Janet S. Owens on December 12, 2005. Subsequently, the Commission was codified
through Council Bill 57-06, which was introduced by Councilman C. Edward Middlebrooks and
signed into law on July 6, 2006 by County Executive Owens. The Bill became effective on
August 20, 2006, and the Commission has remained a strong, viable organization since that time.
In 2008—acting on a Commission recommendation—the County Administration introduced
legislation to broaden the scope of professional expertise on the Commission to encompass the
growing need for mental health services (1) as the population ages, and (2) as veterans return
from the wars in Afghanistan and Iraq. The Commission also recognized the importance of
bringing on experts with planning and permitting backgrounds and processes to help with
accessibility issues.
As a result of Commission recommendations, Council Bill 11-08 was introduced and
unanimously supported by the Council, and was signed into law on April 11, 2008. This bill
fostered collaboration between the Commission and (1) The Department of Inspections and
Permits, (2) The Office of Planning and Zoning, and (3) The Anne Arundel County Mental
Health Agency, Inc. This Bill further enabled the County Executive to appoint any agency or
entity in the future that is deemed appropriate.
Today, the Commission on Disability Issues has 21 voting members and more than 15 Ex-
Officio members. All voting and ex-officio members have been appointed by the County
Executive and regularly participate in Commission activities.

Purpose
The Anne Arundel County Commission on Disability Issues promotes and enhances the quality
of life for persons with disabilities by advising the County Executive and the County Council on
the coordination and development of government policies, programs, services, and the allocation
of resources for persons with disabilities. In addition, the Commission proposes means to meet
the needs of persons with disabilities.
Disability Statistics
As defined under the Americans with Disabilities Act, a disability is a physical or mental
impairment that substantially limits one or more life activities. Obtaining accurate disability
statistics is often difficult because figures are derived from individuals who choose to report that
they have a disability. Many aging individuals do not consider progressive health issues to be
disabilities—when, in fact, they are—but rather a natural part of the aging process. Therefore,
reported totals may be underrepresented. Table 1 outlines reported County disability statistics.
Table 1: Anne Arundel County Residents with Disabilities
Total
Disabled
Population
Under 5
Years of Age
5-17 Years 18-64 Years 65+ Years
All Areas of
Difficulty
48,569 379 3,846 25,727 18,617
Hearing Difficulty 13,332 324 158 5,509 7,341
Vision Difficulty 6,943 80 491 3,185 3,187
Cognitive Difficulty 18,320 -- 3,265 10,022 5,033
Ambulatory
Difficulty
26,113 -- 406 13,285 12,422
Self Care Difficulty 9,173 -- 798 4,328 4,047
Note: The numbers in this chart may not add up because some individuals have more than one area of difficulty.
Source: Dr. Jinlene Chan, M.D., M.P.H., Public Health Officer, Anne Arundel County, February 26, 2013.

2014 Membership
ADA Coordinator
The ADA Coordinator serves as the Advisor to the Commission on Disability Issues, and is the
liaison to the County Executive for Commission issues, policy, and legislation. The ADA
Coordinator (Table 2) works in conjunction with the Commission, as well as all county agencies
to reduce and eliminate barriers for individuals with disabilities.
Table 2: 2014 ADA Coordinator
Anne Arundel County Department of Aging and
Disabilities ADA Coordinator
Jill Bezek
Voting Members
Voting members are appointed by the County Executive and enjoy a three year term. Table 3
lists the 2014 Voting Membership roster.
Table 3: 2014 Voting Members
Joelle Ridgeway—Chair
Joanna Clark—Vice Chair
Mary Ann Sabo—Vice Chair
Beverly Rambo Bolling Haxall
Debra Luzietti-Myers L. Denise Portis
Donna Webb Ginger Palmer
Iris Littig Jeanne Elion
Kate Rollason Marsha Dryden
Mary De Angelo Nancy Jenkins
Richard Scordo Susan Howarth
Jane Sinclair Jessica Yeager
Colleen O’Neill Yanchulis Geoffrey Riefe

Ex-Officio Members
Ex-Officio members are also appointed by the County Executive and represent County, City,
State, and other agencies. Table 4 lists the 2014 roster of Ex-Officio Members.
Table 4: 2014 Ex-Officio Members
Anne Arundel County Department of Aging and
Disabilities
Karla Schaffer
Anne Arundel County Board of Education Mary Tillar
Alternate—Linda Donahue
Anne Arundel County Community College Terry Clay
Anne Arundel County Council Chris Trumbauer
Alternate—Janice Hayes–Williams
Anne Arundel County Department of Health Susanne Boyle
Anne Arundel County Department of Inspections
and Permits
Ivan Candelaria
Anne Arundel County Mental Health Agency Frank Sullivan
Alternate—Phyllis Mutlu
Anne Arundel County Office of Planning and
Zoning
Michael Mettle
Anne Arundel County Police Department Lieutenant Dan Rodriguez
Anne Arundel County Public Library System Dana Newman
Anne Arundel County Department of Public
Works
Greg Africa
Anne Arundel County Department of Recreation
and Parks
Wendy Scarborough
Anne Arundel County Department of Social
Services
Jan Holland
City of Annapolis Mayor Mike Pantelides
Alternate—Maria Broadbent
City of Annapolis City Council Alderwoman Sheila Finlayson
Alternate—Hilary Roggio-Raftovich
Maryland Division of Rehabilitation Services
(DORS)
Yvonne R. Kranitz

Key Impacts of the Commission
In 2014, The Commission on Disability Issues made major impacts on the lives of individuals
with disabilities and their families. Here are a few key highlights:
 The Commission held its third annual Artists Without Limits Art Exhibit in partnership
with The Arts Council of Anne Arundel County—exclusively featuring County residents
with disabilities.
 The Commission held its 7th
successful Disability Awareness Day event in partnership
with Westfield Annapolis—raising awareness and promoting services for persons with
disabilities.
 The Commission evaluated and advised on all relevant ADA Title III Compliance issues.
 The Commission coordinated and advised County departments and agencies on all
relevant accessibility issues.
 The Commission supported many bills during the 2014 General Assembly Session, seven
(7) of which passed both the House and Senate and have been signed by the Governor.
 The Commission provided training on disability issues to police cadets at the Anne
Arundel County Police Academy. We videotaped our presentations and will be adding
other videos in 2015, encompassing as many different disabilities as possible.
In 2015, we will continue to rigorously pursue these key critical elements to advocate for and
enhance the lives of individuals with disabilities.

Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA)
Coordinator Report
The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) Program is mandated by the U.S. Department of
Justice, and requires any local government or other public entity of 50 or more employees to
establish an ADA Coordinator position. The ADA Coordinator works in conjunction with all
county agencies to reduce and eliminate barriers for individuals with disabilities, so that all
persons of any ability can participate in government in a meaningful way—free of
discrimination.
Anne Arundel County’s ADA Program ensures that all county government programs, facilities,
buildings, services, and employment issues are in compliance with Title II of the Americans with
Disabilities Act, as mandated by the U.S. Department of Justice. Additionally, the ADA
Coordinator position has expanded to include:
 Mediation of compliance issues under Title III and Federal Fair Housing regulations.
 Oversight of all Commission on Disability Issues (CODI) policy and legislative
recommendations to the Administration.
 Support and advise on access issues to all required county agencies, and provide courtesy
advice to the general public on non-Title II issues.
2014 Accomplishments
1. Commission and County Collaboration on Title II Requests—Continued collaboration
between the Commission and County Departments for the purpose of fostering disability
awareness, compliance, and change. Specific activities include:
 Promoting inclusion programs with the Department of Recreation and Parks.
 Participating in the training of new police cadets.
 Advising the Board of Elections regarding access issues at polling stations.
 Receiving continuing education from the State Highway Administration Projects.

 Reviewing Public Works projects for new developments and capital improvements.
2. Title III ADA Compliance—evaluated and advised the general public on all relevant ADA
Compliance issues.
3. Accessible Conference Room—continued to enhance the County’s fully accessible meeting
and conference room with (1) the addition of a podium, and (2) the installation of donated works
of art from the Artists Without Limits Art Exhibit.
2015 Goals
 Enhance communication technology by reviewing hardware and software purchases for
use in the Independence Conference Room, as appropriate:
o ZOOM software
o DRAGON software
o Other relevant products
 Continue funding requests for Smart Board Technology.
 Make work sessions available to all county staff on how to make documents accessible to
the public.
 Introduce and implement closed captioning on the County television programs.
 Provide in-service education to all departments in the County regarding accessibility.
 Enhance collaboration with the ADA Coordinator from the City of Annapolis.

2014 Committees
 Executive Committee
 Accessibility, Architecture, and Housing Committee
 Children, Education, and Recreation Committee
 Legislative Matters Committee
 Membership Committee
 Public Relations Committee
 Public Safety and Outreach Committee
 Transportation Committee
Executive Committee
The Executive Committee is the governing arm of the Commission. The Executive Committee
meets monthly to gain consensus on issues which are often elevated from the other committees
and decides how to communicate them to the appropriate parties. During 2014, the Executive
Committee was responsible for making recommendations to the County Administration on many
issues, including:
 Membership appointments
 Transportation issues
 Legislative matters
 Commission event planning
The Executive Committee planned and held a retreat where Commissioners participated in a
strategic planning session.
The Executive Committee ensured that a review of By-laws was completed in 2014.

Accessibility, Architecture, and Housing Committee
 Reviewed the contractual process project plans for the Department of Public Works snow
removal service.
 Reviewed local businesses for accessibility.
 Recommended businesses for the Commission’s Employer of the Year Award, given at
Disability Awareness Day.
 Worked to resolve a complaint about the Hillman Parking Garage in Annapolis.
2015 Goals
 Review Capital Improvement Plans submitted for review to ensure ADA compliance.
 Investigate complaints from citizens concerning commercial projects.
 Develop informational brochures on accessibility and ADA compliance for citizens and
businesses in Anne Arundel County.
 Explore ways to educate the public and government agencies about the need to make sites
and facilities accessible to people with disabilities.
Children, Education, and Recreation Committee
 Compiled SWOT (Strength, Weaknesses, Opportunities, Threat) analysis from a forum of
county agencies, which established a network of invested stakeholders for transitioning
youth with disabilities.
 Completed a review of materials currently available for transitioning youth who may
potentially slip through the cracks of programs and services that are bound by age
requirements.
 Created a simplified brochure for the Transitional Youth affected population.

2015 Goals
 Develop ways to promote and develop more opportunities for young adults within the
Recreation and Parks programs.
 Continue to find ways to educate and help our transitioned youth in the county.
 Continue to work on our goals established from the forum with the Board of Education.
Legislative Matters Committee
 During the Maryland General Assembly session from January to April, the Committee:
o Reviewed eleven (11) Legislative Bills (and the corresponding bills if they were
cross filed) that impacted the lives of individuals with disabilities. The
Committee’s position on each bill was presented to the Commission, and the
Commission agreed with the Committee’s position on the bills.
o Sent the Commission’s positions on the following two (2) bills to the County
Government Relations Officer for approval:
 SB0103—Public Health Programs for Children–Renaming and Modernization
 HB0109 Cross-filed with SB0048—Election Law–Polling Places–
Accommodations for Disabled Voters
 The County Government Relations Office supported the Commission’s positions. The
Commission members were able to testify/write a letter/contact a legislator on behalf of
the Commission on these two bills.
 Sent a letter to the Health and Government Operations Committee on behalf of the
Commission requesting that they support SB0103.
 Of the eleven (11) bills the Commission took a position on, seven (7) of the bills passed
both the House and Senate and have been signed into law by the Governor.

2015 Goals
 Review, comment, track, and report to the Commission the status of bills proposed by
Anne Arundel County, State, and Federal legislation that affects people with disabilities.
 Forward bills to the County Government Relations Officer for approval. Once approved,
the Commission will support approved bills through various means such as written
communication, electronic communication, phone, and written and/or oral testimony.
 Redevelop Access for All Anne Arundel, a program developed by the Commission several
years ago that focused on requiring all new housing to be accessible. This year we would
like to rename the program Access Anne Arundel, and focus on accessibility features
installed in existing residential housing that improves accessibility for persons of all ages.
Membership Committee
 New voting member recommendations were made to the County Executive after
interviews were conducted by the Membership Committee. Jane Sinclair, Jessica Yeager,
and Colleen O’Neill Yanchulis were subsequently appointed.
 Continued the Commission’s close working relationship with the Police Department.
 Added Sgt. Casey Stidham to the current police officers working with the Commission.
 Added Maria Broadbent as a new Alternate of Annapolis Mayor Mike Pantelides.
 Added Linda Donahue as a new Alternate for Mary Tillar from the Anne Arundel County
Board of Education.
2015 Goals
 Continue to recruit, evaluate, and interview potential voting members for the
Commission as vacancies occur.

Public Relations Committee
 Promotion—helped promote various Commission events, such as 2014 Disability
Awareness Day, the 2014 Artists Without Limits Art Exhibit and Opening Night
Reception, the Holiday Sharing Program, and the DAD Volunteer Hall of Fame
application process and Hall of Fame Induction. Promotional efforts included creating
press releases, brochures, and other marketing materials, as well as conducting radio and
television interviews. The Public Relations Committee also supported the ADA
Coordinator on Commission outreach efforts.
 Marketing Materials—reviewed Commission marketing materials as needed, such as
business cards, brochures, and press releases. Created the questionnaire response and
advised the Commission on supporting attachments for the DAD Volunteer Hall of Fame
application, which resulted in DAD receiving the Volunteer Hall of Fame Legacy Award
and induction into the Volunteer Hall of Fame on November 13, 2014.
 Editorial Consulting Services—provided writing, editing, and strategic communications
consulting services as needed to effectively market and promote the Commission.
Documents include the Annual Report, the DAD Hall of Fame application, press releases,
brochures, web site, and social media.
 Photography Database—photographed all Commission events and created a photo
database for use with Commission marketing materials, press releases, event promotion,
Facebook page, and web site. Recommended and advised on all photographs used for
Commission marketing and promotional purposes.
 Facebook Page—created a Commission Facebook Page, complete with photos, event
announcements, press releases, and disability community information. This tool gives
Commission a brand new way to promote its services and events, and to quickly get its
message out to a wide range of people through social media.
 Technology Planning—assisted and advised on Commission technology planning for
the Independence Conference Room, including recommendations for Smart Board and
iPad technologies.

2015 Goals
 Promotion—continue to promote the Commission in the community and the media.
Continue to support the ADA Coordinator in all efforts related to promoting the
Commission.
 Marketing Materials—provide editorial and strategic guidance for Commission
marketing and promotional materials, including brochures, annual report, press releases,
and ad hoc requests.
 Editorial Consulting Services—continue to provide writing, editing, and strategic
communications consulting services as needed to effectively market and promote the
Commission.
 Photography Database—continue to photograph all Commission events, update photo
database, and advise on all photographs used for Commission marketing and promotional
purposes.
 Facebook Page—update Commission Facebook Page as needed with Commission
photos, press releases, and event announcements.
 LinkedIn Group—develop a Commission LinkedIn Group that features press releases,
event announcements, and news items of interest to the disability community.
 Technology Planning—continue to assist and advise the Commission on technology
planning for the Independence Conference Room, Commission events, and Commission
outreach efforts.
 Outreach Events—work with the Executive Committee to develop an improved solution
for staffing Commission outreach events.

Public Safety and Outreach Committee
 Provided training on disability issues to police cadets at the Anne Arundel County Police
Academy at two separate training sessions held by the Police Department. We videotaped
our presentations and will be adding other videos in 2015. The goal is to provide a
standard training video that will include presentations by Commissioners for as many
different disabilities as possible. Our presenters discuss their disabilities and potential
problems that may occur in the field when police officers encounter people with these
types of disabilities.
 The Anne Arundel Fire Department (AAFD) has expressed interest in working with our
Committee. We plan to provide AAFD training during 2015.
 Met with Anne Arundel County’s Mobile Crisis Response Team, and we will be
combining their training with ours.
 Met with the Maryland Commission for Effective Community Inclusion of Individuals
with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities. Part of this Commission’s mandate is to
develop training for police departments. We will ensure that our training is combined and
compatible with theirs.
2015 Goals
 Continue to provide training for the Anne Arundel County Police Academy.
 Provide training to the Anne Arundel Fire Department and the Annapolis City Police.
 Videotape training presentations to achieve a comprehensive and complete video record
to be used in future trainings.
 Develop questions for the upcoming police cadet survey.
 Combine training with Anne Arundel County’s Mobile Crisis Response Team and the
Maryland Commission for Effective Community Inclusion of Individuals.

Transportation Committee
 Worked to resolve commercial parking problems and improve handicapped signage at (1)
Hillman Parking Garage in Annapolis, and (2) Annapolis Towne Center.
 Investigated Parking Mobility in Austin, Texas—designed by handicapped individuals to
discourage people from parking illegally in handicapped spaces. The Committee
determined this program would not be viable here in Anne Arundel County due to
differing laws and personnel constraints.
 Continued to ride and monitor the MTA Light Rail for changes or discrepancies in
accessibility. The Committee is currently recommending to MTA that Plexiglas®
material be installed around the railings at all Light Rail stations with high blocks to
protect riders from the elements. This solution would serve as an alternative to overhead
covers, which cannot be installed at high blocks. We will continue to pursue this issue.
2015 Goals
 Improve transportation accessibility.
 Locate deficient stops/areas of transportation.
 Investigate enforcement of handicap parking violations.
 Continue to pursue adding Plexiglas® material around all MTA Light Rail stations with
high blocks.

2014 Events
Artists Without Limits Art Exhibit
The Anne Arundel County Commission on Disability Issues—in partnership with The Arts
Council of Anne Arundel County—planned, implemented, and hosted the Commission’s third
annual Artists Without Limits Art Exhibit. The exhibit featured works of art by Anne Arundel
County residents with various disabilities, and was displayed in the Arundel Center Lobby.
We kicked off the exhibit with an Opening Night reception on May 15, 2014. Over 100 people
attended the reception, including artists, families and friends, Anne
Arundel County employees, partners, County Council members,
State Legislators, and Commission members. The reception featured
an awards ceremony held in the County Council Chambers, with
Executive Citations given out to all of the exhibiting artists.
This third annual art exhibit ran from May 15 to July 15, 2014, and
has grown substantially each year. There were 32 works of art
created by 26 county artists. We secured artwork donations from 12
of the artists for display in The Independence Room.
About half of the artists were “repeat artists,” and many of them have exhibited with us every
year since the exhibit’s inception. Each year, families and teachers tell us how important this
exhibit is to the artists, how they look forward to submitting work each Spring, and what a big
impact being part of the exhibit and being honored at the Opening Night Reception makes on
their lives. We are currently in the process of planning the 2015 exhibit.

Disability Awareness Day (DAD)
Disability Awareness Day (DAD) was held at the Westfield Annapolis Mall on Saturday,
October 25, 2014. Twenty-nine exhibitors displayed information about a variety of public and
private services, advocacy, and products of interest to individuals with disabilities.
The event included awards and executive citations, a demonstration by Fidos for Freedom, and
entertainment by The Harbour School and Garland Cox.
Pamela A. Jordan, Director of the Department of Aging and Disabilities, opened the day with
award presentations. The recipient of the 2014 DAD Honoree Award was Chesapeake Region
Accessible Boating (CRAB), a non-profit organization founded in 1991. CRAB is dedicated to
making the recreational, educational, and therapeutic benefits of sailing a reality for physically
and/or developmentally challenged individuals and their families—regardless of their financial
circumstances. CRAB strives to foster a lifelong love of sailing among its program participants.
The Commission presented awards in six categories:
 Accessibility
 Employer of the Year
 Faith-Based
 Leadership
 Public Service
 Veterans Services
The sound system was provided through a new partnership with Bose. This was the seventh year
the Commission partnered with Westfield Annapolis to host the event, and it has proven to be a
great location for DAD. We look forward to partnering with them next year.

2014 CODI ANNUAL REPORT--FINAL--4-30-15

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