Columbia Business, Others Receive Award From County Commission

COLUMBIA, MD — A Columbia business is among several businesses, organizations and individuals to receive an award from the Howard County Commission on Disabilities as part of the commission’s 25th annual Awards Program. The program honors the outstanding efforts of individuals and organizations that advance full participation in community life for all people and promote the spirit and intent of the Americans with Disabilities Act and other disability rights laws.

“I congratulate all of our 2019 Disability Award Winners for making strides toward awareness, empowerment, and expansion of opportunity. Thanks to these dedicated businesses, organizations, and individuals, our community will ensure that anyone who wants to work, can work," said Howard County Executive Calvin Ball in a statement.

Honorees will be recognized at an awards ceremony on Thursday, Oct. 3, at 7 p.m. at the Roger Carter Community Center, 3000 Milltowne Drive in Ellicott City. This year’s award winners are:

Employer Award: Anegada Delights Caribbean Cuisine – Anegada Delights Caribbean Cuisine in Columbia is recognized for their commitment to providing equal opportunities for employees with disabilities, as evidenced by inclusive hiring and staff development practices.
Employer Award: Heartlands Senior Living of Ellicott City – Heartlands Senior Living of Ellicott City is recognized for utilizing the skills and talents of individuals with disabilities in order to meet business needs, as evidenced by inclusive recruitment, hiring, and accommodations practices.
Service Award: Lindsey Ritter and Diane Rogers – Lindsey Ritter and Diane Rogers, educators in the Howard County Public School System, are recognized for increasing awareness and acceptance of disability and inclusion through interactive classroom activities.
Service Award: Ia Shubitidze – Ia Shubitidze, a committed home health care aide, is recognized for supporting individuals with disabilities to enable them to live meaningful, self-directed lives as full participants in their communities.
Service Award: Special Olympics Maryland-Howard County – Special Olympics Maryland-Howard County is recognized for their commitment to improving the lives of individuals with intellectual disabilities through sports, by promoting physical fitness, social connections, and the development of sportsmanship and teamwork skills.
Individual Achievement Award: Jim Barrett – Jim Barrett, a recent high school and Project SEARCH graduate, is recognized for being a role model in employment by demonstrating that success is achievable through a strong work ethic, goal-setting, and a willingness to learn.
Individual Achievement Award: Juan Carroll – Juan Carroll, a dedicated employee of a local grocery store, is recognized for being a role model in employment by demonstrating that success is achievable through a strong work ethic, enthusiasm, and active community involvement.
Programmatic Accessibility Award: Meagan Downey – Meagan Downey, program manager at the Robinson Nature Center, is recognized for her leadership and commitment to providing a welcoming, accessible, and sensory-friendly recreation environment that is responsive to the needs of visitors.
Leadership Award: Brenda Kelly-Frey – Brenda Kelly-Frey, who recently retired as director of Maryland Relay, is recognized for her life-long efforts to ensure communication access for all and for her personal and professional commitment to increasing public awareness and advancing the rights of people who are deaf and hard of hearing.