Enacted in 1990, the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) is a comprehensive, wide-ranging civil rights law which protects people with disabilities from discrimination in employment, state and local government services, public accommodations, transportation, and telecommunications. The regulations implementing the law are organized into five titles or sections.

Title II of the ADA applies to public entities, including state and local governments, and prohibits discrimination based on disability in all aspects of government programs and services. Title II requires that generally, on request, state and local governments provide appropriate aids and services leading to effective communication for people with disabilities.  Title II also requires reasonable modifications to policies, procedures and practices in order to provide qualified individuals with disabilities an equal opportunity to participate in all programs and services.

The Office of ADA Coordination provides technical assistance to the public and County Government departments to ensure that County Government’s disability-related policies, procedures and practices are implemented in conformance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and other disability rights laws. The Office of ADA Coordination provides informal guidance to the public in disability rights matters involving non-public entities.

Michelle Henry, ADA Coordinator 

Email: mhenry@howardcountymd.gov

Phone: 410-313-6431 (voice/relay)

Erica Lewis, ADA Specialist 

Email: ealewis@howardcountymd.gov 

Phone: 410-313-6402 (voice/relay)

The Office of ADA Coordination provides training to Howard County Government on the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and other disability rights laws.

Howard County Government provides sign language interpreter services for County government services, activities and events.  To request sign language services, contact the office or department sponsoring the service, activity or event.

Howard County Government encourages all people to participate in the full array of services, programs and activities that it offers. To request documents in Braille, enlarged print and alternate formats, and other accommodations to access County government’s activities, contact the office or department that is offering the service, activity or event.

* As a service to its website visitors, the Department of Community Resources and Services (DCRS) has provided hyperlinks to informational resources developed by other agencies or organizations that provide services or programs to County residents. DCRS cannot guarantee the relevance, completeness, accuracy, or timeliness of the information provided on these non-County links. DCRS does not endorse any non-County organizations' products, services, or viewpoints. DCRS is not responsible for any materials stored on other non-County web sites, nor is it liable for any inaccurate, defamatory, offensive or illegal materials found on other Web sites, and that the risk of injury or damage from viewing, hearing, downloading or storing such materials rests entirely with the user.  

* As a service to its website visitors, the Department of Community Resources and Services (DCRS) has provided hyperlinks to informational resources developed by other agencies or organizations that provide services or programs to County residents. DCRS cannot guarantee the relevance, completeness, accuracy, or timeliness of the information provided on these non-County links. DCRS does not endorse any non-County organizations' products, services, or viewpoints. DCRS is not responsible for any materials stored on other non-County web sites, nor is it liable for any inaccurate, defamatory, offensive or illegal materials found on other Web sites, and that the risk of injury or damage from viewing, hearing, downloading or storing such materials rests entirely with the user.  

Maryland Access Point (MAP), the Howard County Aging and Disability Resource Center (ADRC) serves as a gateway for information, assistance and referral for older adults, persons with disabilities, family members, caregivers, and health or business professionals. To contact MAP, call 410-313-1234 (voice/relay), email map@howardcountymd.gov for assistance, or visit the searchable database at http://www.marylandaccesspoint.info/

Visit the Commission on Disabilities web page for a list of current commission members, upcoming meetings and program information.