ELLICOTT CITY, MD – Howard County Executive Calvin Ball today announced the launch of Howard County Government’s new Disability Hiring Initiative, aimed at identifying meaningful County job opportunities and career pathways that allow individuals to fully contribute their talents and to thrive in supportive, accessible work environments.

Our Disability Hiring Initiative builds upon and furthers Howard County Government’s commitment to employing individuals with disabilities and ensuring the County is offering an inclusive and accessible work environment for all. Through this initiative, our goal is to set an example for employers across our region. We are showing that when we intentionally remove barriers and create opportunity, we empower individuals with disabilities to succeed and also strengthen our workforce, our government, and our community as a whole.

Calvin Ball
Howard County Executive

Under this new initiative, the County’s Office of Human Resources (HR) will be identifying employment opportunities within Howard County Government, ranging from entry-level to more experienced roles. Some examples include recreation/community programming support, administrative assistant, analyst, information technology staff, or other program support roles. These positions will offer flexible hours and competitive pay. To learn more about available job opportunities offered through this initiative, interested applicants should contact HR at (410) 313-2033 or email jobs@howardcountymd.gov.

Howard County has always believed true innovation begins with inclusion. By expanding accessible pathways to careers, we’re building a more resilient workforce that reflects the strength and diversity of our community. Inclusion drives progress, and Howard County is leading the way.

Anju Bennett
Administrator, Office of Human Resources

Ball made the announcement during a County event hosted by the County’s Office of Workforce Development (OWD), Office of ADA Coordination, Office of Disability Services, and Commission on Disabilities. Commemorating the 80th anniversary of National Disability Employment Awareness Month (NDEAM), the County reaffirmed its pledge to pursue the goals of opportunity, full participation, economic self-sufficiency, and independent living for people with disabilities through equitable access to career opportunities. Photos from the event can be found on the County’s Flickr website.

“This expo is about more than connecting people to jobs--it’s about recognizing the incredible value and talent that individuals with disabilities contribute to our workforce every day,” said Stephanie Adibe, Administrator, OWD. “When we create inclusive pathways to employment, we strengthen our businesses our economy, and our entire community.”

Home to one of WalletHub’s “Best City for People with Disabilities,” Ball recognizes the importance of inclusive practices, treating people with disabilities with dignity, fairness, and respect, and the important role people with disabilities play in our community. Since taking office in December 2018, Ball and his team have worked hard to expand access, inclusion, programs, and more for Howard County’s disability community, this includes:

  • Awarding Howard County Autism Society a grant in March 2020 to pilot its Autism Hiring Program to expand employment opportunities for individuals with autism and connect local businesses to a competent, capable workforce. Since the program’s inception, more than 40 county residents with autism have obtained employment.
  • The County’s Office of Workforce Development (OWD) serves adults who self-identify as having a disability and youth with IEP’s and 504 plans through its “Youth Services” program.
  • In 2022, Ball renewed the County’s support and commitment to Project SEARCH, a transformational internship program for students with intellectual and developmental disabilities in their last year of high school.
  • The County’s Department of Housing and Community Development’s (DHCD) Reinvest*Renovate*Restore Home Rehabilitation Loan Fund Program assist income-eligible homeowners with making repairs that enhance safety, accessibility and livability in their homes.
  • Between 2018 and 2024, the County’s Office of ADA Coordination provided Disability Awareness and ADA Overview training to 147 newly-hired staff; provided training on effective communication to Howard Conty Police Departments Academy recruits and HR personnel; coordinated training on the 2010 ADA Standards for Accessible Design, attended by architects, engineers and other professionals responsible for building accessible facilities; and coordinated training on the U.S Access Board's Public Right-of-Way Accessibility Guidelines.
  • Ensuring all who live, work, and play in Howard County can enjoy all the County has to offer, including:

Additionally, Ball has committed $5.8 million in County funds – including $1.6 million in gap financing from County’s DHCD’s Housing Opportunities Trust Fund, to help deliver Patuxent Commons. A new 76-unit apartment community located at 6441 Freetown Road in Columbia, Patuxent Commons is designed to address housing instability among low-income adults with disabilities, older adults, and younger adults/families in Howard County. Based on an intergenerational housing concept created by the Autism Society of Howard Couty and set to open next month, Patuxent Commons will bridge connections across generations and abilities, creating an inclusive community where residents with disabilities can live as independently as possible. Nineteen of its 76 units will be rented to low-income residents with disabilities. To learn more about Patuxent Commons, visit https://patuxentcommons.com/.

Finally, prior to taking office in 2018, then Howard County Councilmember Ball filed legislation to have the Howard County Commission on Disabilities research, review, and prepare a report with recommendations on how the County can facilitate full inclusion of all residents in all aspects of community life and best practices in disabilities services, specifically in the areas of Education, Employment, Housing, Peer Relationships, and Transportation. Completed in 2019, the Commission’s “REPORT on the Status of People with Disabilities in Howard County” identified numerous gaps in services for people with disabilities in Howard County and emphasized that to address those needs, would require strategically allocating finite resources, identifying statutory mandates, examining competing interests, setting priorities, and more.

About National Disability Employment Awareness Month

Established by the U.S. Congress in 1988 and observed every October, NDEAM seeks to raise awareness of the employment needs and contributions of individuals with all types of disabilities and advocate for inclusive policies and practices. This year’s theme, “Celebrating Value and Talent,” celebrates the many and varied contributions of America’s workers with disabilities.

Media Contacts
Safa Hira, Director of Communications and Engagement
Audience
Businesses
Residents
Visitors

Stay Connected!

Sign up for the County Executive's weekly newsletter and stay up to date on everything Howard County.
 

Zip Code