Vienna Nonprofit Employee Earns Disability Inclusion Award

VIENNA, VA — A director at Vienna-based Langley Residential Support Services was honored with a disability inclusion award Monday for her work helping people with developmental disabilities.

Stephanie Davidson, the director of residential services at the nonprofit, earned a 2022 Martha Glennan Disability Inclusion and Equality Award from the Fairfax Area Disability Services Board. The award honors the namesake who chaired the Fairfax Area Disabilities Services Board and was a member of the Fairfax County Long Term Care Task Force, recognizing people or organizations that demonstrate a commitment to equal rights and inclusion for people with disabilities.

Davidson has worked for 30 years at Langley Residential Support Services, which provides residential support services at five group homes and support services at people's homes or their families homes. The nonprofit's goal is to help people with developmental disabilities live independently.

According to the nonprofit, Davidson has found creative ways to improve inclusion, equality and outcomes of the people Langley Residential Support Services serves. She is credited with being able to listen to the people she serves, earning their trust, helping them enjoy their lives and supporting them in achieving personal goals.

"Langley is immensely proud of Stephanie and her relentless commitment to improve the lives of hundreds of people with developmental disabilities – and their families – spanning three decades of service," said Maureen Gum, executive director of Langley Residential Support Services. "What a well-deserved honor for someone who goes above and beyond in her everyday work to ensure the voices of the people in the LRSS community are heard and respected."

Davidson is certified in CPR and first aid, and is an instructor in Mandt, training for de-escalation in response to violent behavior. Before joining Langley Residential Support Services, Davidson was instructor at a vocational workshop, then a program coordinator position at The Arc Montgomery County in Maryland, where her team won an Excellence in Service Award from Montgomery County. She was hired as a program manager at Langley Residential Support Services in 1992, overseeing day-to-day program services and directing services for half of the program participants. As she took on a larger caseload and more responsibilities, she became director of residential services in 2021.

Aside from Davidson, Marian Homes, Inc. earned the 2022 Martha Glennan Disability Inclusion and Equality Award in the organization category. Marian Homes builds homes for people with intellectual disabilities in Fairfax County.