Myths and misconceptions about people with disabilities impact all of us. Learning to replace these myths and stereotypes with realities is an important step toward ending discrimination and eliminating barriers that can limit people with disabilities. There are many agencies that welcome your involvement. If you are interested in volunteering with people with disabilities, contact these agencies and get involved!

Adult Care Center of Bowie (ACCB): Activity/ Personal Care
Bowie, MD (301) 262-7010
Contact: Vivian Whatfield, vwhatfield@abhow.com
http://www.bsam.org
Provides services including retirement, living, health care, adult day services, meal preparation, and consultation with families.

American Association of People with Disabilities (AAPD)
Washington, DC (202) 457-0046
Contact: Marie Compos, aapd@aol.com
http://www.aapd-dc.org
Promotes political and economic empowerment for children and adults with disabilities. AAPD brings together people with all different kinds of disabilities, their family members, and supporters to provide tangible benefits.

ARC of Montgomery County
Rockville, MD (301) 984 – 5792 x 271
Contact: Carol Neckar, arcvolunteers@arcmontmd.org
http://www.arcmongmd.org
Provides support to all persons with mental retardation, so as to support their fullest development and integration into community life. Operates from 30 group homes, five children’s centers and a vocational workshop.

ARC of Prince George’s County
Largo, MD (301) 925 –7050 x 231
Contact: Marianne Tropp, mtropp@thearcofpgc.org
http://www.thearcofpgc.org
Serves adults and children with mental retardation and their families. Provides employment, residential services, medical services, transportation, and many other programs.

Best Buddies
UM Campus, MD
Contact: kschneider918@yahoo.com
http://www.bestbuddiesmaryland.org
Best Buddies builds friendships between UM students and mentally retarded individuals. Maryland students and their buddies engage in social and recreational activities both one-on-one and in groups.

Bethany Women’s Center
Washington, DC (202) 939-2060
Contact: Ginger Tagliarino
http://www.nstreetvillage.org/template/page.cfm?page_id=21
Day center for women, most of whom are mentally ill and/or recovering substance abusers. Offers meals, showers, laundry, clothing, phone, activities, counseling and referrals.

Chi Center: Programs for children and adults with developmental disabilities
Silver Spring, MD (301) 439-4330
Contact: Lottie Daniels Centers@erols.com
http://www.chicenters.org
Strives to create conditions under which all persons with disabilities will experience opportunities to participate in community growth and earn respect and dignity.

Children's Developmental Clinic
UM campus, MD (301) 322-0519
Contact: Yvette Snowden
http://www.pgcc.edu
Provides volunteers with the opportunity to work one-on-one with special-needs children. Volunteer student clinicians are trained in the areas of motor, language, and reading skill development.

City Lights School
Washington, DC (202) 832-4366
Contact: Iris Lewis, ILewis@citylightsschool.org
http://www.citylightsschool.org
A psycho-educational day treatment program that provides educational vocational and clinical services to youths with emotional, behavioral, and learning problems.

Columbia Lighthouse for the Blind
Washington, DC (202) 454-6422 Ext. 3022
Contact: Janell Jacobs, jjacobs@clb.org
http://www.clb.org
Assists blind individuals in the metro area with mail, bills, shopping, reading, and recreational activities.

Common Senses
Baltimore, MD (410) 319-5754
Contact: info@commonsenses.org
http://www.commonsenses.org
To unite youth with and without sensory disabilities and to provide a foundation for youth with sensory disabilities to be able to enter mainstream society.

DC Special Olympics
Washington, DC (202) 408-2640
Contact: Marianelly Johnson, wdcso@aol.com
http://www.specialolympicsdc.org
Provides year-round sports training and athletic competition for persons 8 years of age and older with developmental disabilities.

Disability Support Service
UM Campus, MD (301) 314-7796
http://www.counseling.umd.edu/DSS/
Provides assistance to students with disabilities, including testing and reading services for students who are blind, and interpreting for students who are deaf and hard of hearing.

Family Services Agency, Inc.
Gaithersburg, MD (301) 840-3203
Contact: Stephanie Cockrum, cockrums@familyservicesagency.org
http://www.familiyservicesagency.org
Operates several community outreach programs in Gaithersburg to individuals, couples, children, teens, elderly, and people who are mentally ill.

Gallagher Services: Residential and Day Programs
Timonium, MD (410) 252-4005 x 165
Contact: Jill Hillman, jhillman@catholiccharities-md.org
http://www.catholiccharities-md.org
Provides residential and day program services for children and adults with developmental disabilities. Volunteer and service-learning opportunities are available Monday through Friday, as well as on weekends.

Inwood House
Silver Spring, MD (301) 649-6595 x 210
Contact: Michael Conlon, mconlon@inwoodhouse.org
http://www.inwoodhouse.org
Apartment complex for low-income adults with disabilities and elderly who live independently. Promotes a safe, secure and accessible environment where residents can preserve self-respect and dignity in a place where personal growth is encouraged.

James E. Duckworth Special Center
Beltsville, MD (301) 572-0620
Contact: Beverly Chinn, jedworth@pgcps.org
http://www.pgcps.pg.k12.md.us/~duckw
A public school for disabled students ages 5-21.
Class size is generally 6-7 students with a teacher and an assistant. Students can also apply to be substitute teachers.

Maryland Neighborly Networks
College Park, MD (301) 441- 8644
Contact: Jennifer Knoll middlekingdom@adelphia.net
Provides residential services to people with
developmental disabilities. Volunteers are needed to assist residents in participating in community activities or to provide assistance to staff in the program homes.

Special Olympics Maryland
Columbia, MD (800) 541-7544 ext. 3011
Contact: Janet Novak, jnovak@SOMD.org
http://www.SOMD.org
Provides year-round sports training opportunities for individuals with mental retardation and/or developmental disabilities.