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Barrier-Free Blog

July Bulletin

7/25/2022

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July Bulletin

Contents:

  • Inclusive Theater Returns

  • Upcoming Events

  • Make Studio

  • In the Community

  • OUT Loud

  • Internship Opportunity

  • Community News

Barrier-Free Buzz

Inclusive Theater Season Returns!

We're back!! Our Inclusive Theater season kicks off in September where we will work collaboratively to create ALL-NEW, ORIGINAL musicals!

We will once again be performing on stage, for a live audience in March 2022 at McDaniel College.

Inclusive Theater Company A has 6 spots remaining.

Inclusive Theater Company B is FULL but join our Waiting List.

​In some instances, you may join BOTH groups if you have a dual diagnosis.

Click here to learn more about our drama-therapy-based, Inclusive Theater process.

Register for Co. A
Co. B Wait List

Upcoming Events

Join us at an upcoming event to meet our Barrier-Free"ers" and support their work by purchasing art pieces, enjoying a performance, or allowing us to share about Barrier-Free's work and mission.

Click any image below to learn more!

MAKE STUDIO Collaboration

We are thrilled to share that Make Studio has invited Barrier-Free to submit art pieces for inclusion in the upcoming exhibit - Cordially Invited V.

Cordially Invited V

Barrier-Free will be featured in this art exhibition alongside other exciting and thought-provoking art produced in progressive art studios around the country and around the world.

Cordially Invited V will open in October 2022 in Make Studio's Showroom Gallery in Baltimore, MD.

In the Community

Our Barrier-Free”ers” have been busy connecting with our community!

This month we participated in the Let Freedom Ring Parade in Downtown Sykesville, visited the Howard County Center for the Arts, welcomed Serrina Davis of Damara Yoga, enjoyed Spongebob the Musical at Toby’s Dinner Theater, and have been watering & caring for the Eileen M. Merkle Community Garden in Downtown Sykesville.

New Group - OUT Loud

LGBTQ+ & Neurodiversity

We are proud to present OUT Loud, a social and peer-support group for neurodiverse LGBTQ+ folx to gather, build community, and make supportive connections. We meet on the Third Thursday of the month in Downtown Sykesville.

Learn More

Seeking Interns!

Barrier-Free is seeking undergraduate or graduate interns to join our Inclusive Theater Companies beginning September 2022. Our internships provide college students hands-on, immersive experience with drama therapy work in the disability field.

Internship applications open now through August 1st

Fill our the application on our website and we will be in touch to schedule an interview!

Internship Details

Community News

Howard County Public School Transition Fair

Learn about community and school resources available for individuals with specials needs to prepare for adult life.

More details coming soon!

Sip & Support Pathfinders for Autism

Pathfinders for Autism has some great events planned so you can come out to SIP AND SUPPORT PFA! PFA will be all over the state hosting great events where you can have delicious food and drink all while supporting the mission of
Pathfinders for Autism.

Thank you for you support!

Pictured: Jackson & Jenny taking a selfie at The Life Skills & Social Studio

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June Bulletin

7/1/2022

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June Bulletin

Contents:

  • Inclusive Theater Returns

  • Upcoming Events

  • Anniversary of The Studio

  • Team Promotions

  • OUT Loud - New Group

  • Music Studio & Jam Sessions

  • In the News

  • Community Events

Barrier-Free Announcements

Inclusive Theater Season Returns!

We're back!! Our Inclusive Theater season kicks off in September where we will work collaboratively to create ALL-NEW, ORIGINAL musicals!

We will once again be performing on stage, for a live audience in March 2022 at McDaniel College.

Inclusive Theater Company A is for adults 18+ with intellectual/developmental disabilities.

Inclusive Theater Company B is for adults 18+ with autism.

​In some instances, you may join BOTH groups if you have a dual diagnosis.

Click here to learn more about our drama-therapy-based, Inclusive Theater process.

Click Here to Register for Co. A
Click Here to Register for Co. B

Barrier-Free in the Community

Join us at an upcoming event to meet our Barrier-Free"ers" and support their work by purchasing art pieces or allowing us to share about Barrier-Free's work and mission.

Community events allow us to be visible and integrated into our community while putting our life skills and social skills to good use!

Click any image below to learn more!

Celebrating Milestones

The Life Skills & Social Studio in Downtown Sykesville celebrates its one year anniversary this month!

Amazon Wishlist

Help us celebrate this milestone by purchasing an item from Barrier-Free’s Amazon wishlist!

Click Here to Browse

Movin’ On Up!

We are excited to share that we have three fantastic team members accepting new roles within Barrier-Free!

Marie joined us all the way from Iowa as a Graduate Intern studying Drama Therapy in September of 2021. Marie dove head first into all things Barrier-Free and has become an integral part of our entire organization's success. We are thrilled to promote her to Assistant Director Co. A & B for the 2022 - 2023 theater season!

Kelsey has been bringing her creative A-game and inclusive leadership to the table for the past six years at Barrier-Free. After years spent as a mentor, assistant director, and teaching artist, Kelsey will now be taking on her largest role yet - Director of Company A!

Aaron is an attendee of Barrier-Free’s Life Skills and Social Studio, as well as an actor in Inclusive Theater Company B. They are passionate about advocacy for the neurodiverse and disabled communities, making them the perfect fit to be our assistant for OUT Loud and a Peer Mentor within Barrier-Free.

Join us in congratulating Marie, Kelsey, and Aaron on their new roles!

New Group - OUT Loud

LGBTQ+ & Neurodiversity

We are proud to present OUT Loud, a social and peer-support group for neurodiverse LGBTQ+ folx to gather, build community, and make supportive connections. We meet on the Third Thursday of the month in Downtown Sykesville.

Learn More

Jam Sessions & Mayor Link

Come rock out with Music Mike and crew on Sundays for fun-filled jam sessions! Mayor Stacy Link and her sister Jennifer recently stopped by and LOVED it!

Your first jam session is free!

Add on a one-on-one Music & Mentorship lesson with Music Mike to make a day out of it.

Learn More

In the News

Fresh off the press - Barrier-Free is featured in the June/July issue of Carroll Magazine!

We are thankful to the Carroll Magazine team for recognizing the inclusive strides we are making in the community.

Click Here to View the Article

Community Events

Maryland ABLE Savings

Join our ‘Saving & Planning for Your Loved One’s Financial Future’ Brunch Bunch #webinar on June 23rd at 11 a.m. to learn more about Maryland ABLE #savings accounts for persons with #disabilities.

Presented by Kelly Nelson, Outreach and Communications Manager for MD ABLE.

Learn More

DDA Switching from Traditional to Self-Directed Services Webinar

Please join the Developmental Disabilities Administration (DDA) and the MD Community of Practice for Supporting Families for the next webinar.

Community of Practice for Supporting Families for the next webinar on Wednesday, June 22.

Learn More

Thank you for you support!

Pictured: Barrier-Free crew with Dana Alonzi, Downtown Sykesville Board President, and Mayor Stacy Link at Sykesville Pride.

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People with Disabilities and Finances

6/24/2022

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*Disclaimer: I am in no way a financial expert. I am speaking from my personal experience and those around me.* 

​
Money is what makes the economy thrive. Money is a part of our everyday life. For people with disabilities, it can be challenging to understand the concept of money. It can be challenging because concepts of having money are often abstract and you're unable to physically see it. They may have trouble understanding a need vs. want, where the money comes from, balancing a budget, or making change. They often need someone to support them in their financial decisions. It may be a skill that is worked on for a lifetime.

If someone with a disability applies to Maryland's Developmental Disabilities Administration (DDA) to receive funding and is approved, they are automatically enrolled in Medicaid. Medicaid does not allow a person using their service to have more than 2,000 dollars in the banking account, both checking and savings combined. This can be difficult to manage if the person with a disability works 30 to 40 hours a week. When working 30-40 hours a week, I would have to withdraw a large portion of my paycheck, so I wouldn't exceed the 2,000 dollar limit. Now that I'm working part-time, I don't have to do that often.

A person with a disability may be unable to work full-time. This could be for a variety of reasons. It could be because of access to transportation, the job's physical demands, or personal preference. Because of being unable to work full-time and not having more than 2,000 dollars in one's bank account, it's easy for people with disabilities to live in poverty. Once in one federal program, you often put into another or qualify for another. Because it's easy for people with disabilities to easily be in poverty, parents, family members, or those supporting the individual are left financially supporting them. On top of the massive toll, it takes to care for someone with a disability. 
​
Some staggering statistics about socioeconomic status and people with disabilities: 
  • Median earnings for people with no disability were over $30,469, compared to the $20,250 median income reported for individuals with a disability (U.S. Census Bureau, 2015).
  •  In an extensive study of individuals 65 years and older, 20.9% of those without a disability failed to complete high school, compared to 25.1% and 38.6% of individuals with a non-severe or severe disability, respectively, who were unable to finish high school (Steinmetz, 2006).
  • According to the 2015 Census, about 15.1% of the population age 25 and over with a disability have obtained a bachelor's degree or higher, while 33% of individuals in the same age category with no disability have attained the same educational status (U.S. Census Bureau, 2015).
It's also no secret that those of lower socioeconomic status have poor health and lower quality of life. In April 2017, a study in the American Journal of Public Health found the life expectancy in the United States of those with autism spectrum disorder to be 36 years old compared to 72 years old for the general population. Another study examined the association between income and life expectancy in the United States from 2001 to 2014. It found between the top 1% and bottom 1% of the income distribution, life expectancy differed by 15 years for men and 10 years for women. This is a huge difference. 
How to Help: 
Those in Maryland or Pennsylvania. Ask your Senators to support and co-sponsor the Supplemental Security Income (SSI) Savings Penalty Elimination Act! Tell your Senators that $2,000 - $3,000 in asset limits is just not enough to live! These limits have not been updated since 1989, forcing many people with disabilities into poverty.
To learn more and to take action, click HERE
https://action.thearc.org/VynIJ0a?p2asource=email-062422
Terms to Know: 
​H.U.D./Section 8: housing assistance for people with disabilities 
DDA: Developmental Disabilities Administration  The DDA is the primary State agency that funds community-based services and supports for people with developmental disabilities.
The DDA provides a coordinated service delivery system, so that people receive appropriate services oriented toward the goal of full integration into their community.
Medicaid: Medicaid provides health coverage to individuals and families with limited income and resources. You’re automatically offered Medicaid if you receive other types of public assistance. That may include Supplemental Security Income (SSI), Temporary Cash Assistance (TCA) and Foster Care. Low-income families, children, pregnant women, and aged, blind, or disabled adults may also qualify for Medicaid. You can have private health insurance and be eligible for Medicaid.
ABLE account: ​The federal Achieving a Better Life Experience (ABLE) Act authorized states to establish tax-advantaged savings programs so individuals with disabilities can save and invest money (up to $16,000 a year) without jeopardizing eligibility for public benefits. 
Sources: 
https://health.maryland.gov/dda/pages/dda.aspx​ 
https://211md.org/resources/health-care/medicaid/
https://www.ablenow.com/learn/basics/​
Joseph Guan, Guohua Li. Injury mortality in individuals with autism. American Journal of Public Health. April 2017
https://www.apa.org/pi/ses/resources/publications/factsheet-disability.pdf​
​
Chetty, R., Stepner, M., Abraham, S., Lin, S., Scuderi, B., Turner, N., Bergeron, A., & Cutler, D. (2016). The Association Between Income and Life Expectancy in the United States, 2001-2014. JAMA, 315(16), 1750–1766. https://doi.org/10.1001/jama.2016.4226
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​Written by Emily Wachter

​Emily Wachter is the owner and entrepreneur of Photography through Autism. She is a lifelong writer and photographer with a passion for disability rights, social justice, and psychology. She is a college student at Carroll Community College with dreams of being a case manager. Emily has spoken on a number of disability panels on living with autism and experiences of bullying. She is involved with a number of disability groups in Maryland, including YoungLife Capernaum, Disability Express Group, and Special Olympics. In her free time, she likes spending time with family and friends, coloring, and shopping.

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Autism Awareness vs. Acceptance

4/20/2022

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April marks Autism Awareness Month. Every parent of a child with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) and those with Autism Spectrum Disorder will tell you that every day, every month of every year is Autism Awareness Month. Autism is a lifelong disability. According to Webster's Dictionary, acceptance means 1. the act of taking or receiving something offered. 2. favorable reception; approval; favor. 3. the act of assenting or believing: acceptance of a theory. 4. the fact or state of being accepted or acceptable. Awareness means 1. the state or condition of being aware; having knowledge; consciousness. 

Awareness is knowing that something is happening. 
Acceptance is seeing a person for who they are. 
Awareness is focused on shortcomings or deficits. 
Acceptance is focused on what you're good at and what can you do for yourself. 
Awareness means you can identify a neurodiversity. 
Acceptance means you're able to talk to neurodiverse individuals and gain understanding and compassion. 
Awareness is trying to cure me. 
Acceptance is not trying to cure me. 
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Image created by Maisie Moore she/they - Autism Advocate @mini.moores
Sources:
https://nsadvocate.org/2018/03/20/autism-awareness-or-acceptance-two-very-different-mindsets/
https://www.instagram.com/mini.moores/​
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Written by Emily Wachter

Emily Wachter is the owner and entrepreneur of Photography through Autism. She is a lifelong writer and photographer with a passion for disability rights, social justice, and psychology. She is a college student at Carroll Community College with dreams of being a social worker. Emily has spoken on a number of disability panels on living with autism and experiences of bullying. She is involved with a number of disability groups in Maryland, including YoungLife Capernaum, Disability Express Group, and Special Olympics. In her free time, she likes spending time with family and friends, coloring, and shopping.

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April Bulletin

4/12/2022

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April Bulletin

Contents:

  • Autism Awareness Month

  • Performance Photo Galleries

  • THANK YOU - Purple Bucket!

  • PEEPshow Now Open

  • Virtual Info Session

  • NEW Programs & Classes

  • Art & Wine Festival

  • Community Events

Barrier-Free Announcements

Celebrating Autism Awareness Month

Autism Awareness Month April 1 - 30

Join us all throughout April and year-round as we celebrate the achievements, talents, and abilities, of neurodiverse individuals with autism!

Performance Photo Galleries

A BIG thank you to Mort Shuman for expertly capturing our Saturday, March 19th performances!

Click Here - S’mores Wars Photos
Click Here - One Star Resort Photos

THANK YOU!

Thank you, thank you, THANK YOU!

27 days, three phenomenal performances, over 80 unique donors, and two matching donors, we have raised $20,104 for our Purple Bucket Campaign.

Thank you for helping us keep our programs affordable and accessible. Thank you for supporting our mission. Thank you for supporting inclusion.

Click Here to Donate

15th Annual PEEPshow!

The 15th Annual PEEPshow opens TODAY April 8 - 18 at The TownMall of Westminster!

Please vote online or in-person for Barrier-Free's submission "S'mores Wars” made by our Studio members!

This sweet fundraising event features marshmallow masterpieces all crafted from or inspired by PEEPS®. You can view the entries for free and buy votes for your favorites, with all proceeds benefiting the Arts Council.

Barrier-Free is proud to be funded in part by a Community Arts Development grant from the Carroll County Arts Council.

Virtual Info Session

Join us on Zoom Tuesday, April 19th at 6:15pm to learn about Barrier-Free's Life Skills & Social Studio, NEW Music Studio offerings, and Expressive Arts Classes.

Current and prospective Barrier-Free"ers" are encouraged to attend as well as community members seeking to learn more about Barrier-Free.

Registration is required to receive the Zoom link.

Click Here to Register

NEW - Barrier-Free Music Studio

Mike Morton, aka "Music Mike," Barrier-Free’s beloved Music Director is proud to present Barrier-Free’s Music Studio!

Music is a universal language that anyone can understand, and at the Barrier-Free Music Studio our goal is to make music accessible to everyone! We offer musical classes, lessons, and support for people of all abilities, with a focus on self expression and gaining self-confidence in your own voice. Music is an amazing way to break down the barriers that divide us.

Music Mike will be offering Music & Mentorship private lessons and Jam Sessions at The Music Studio located at 7520 Main St #103 Sykesville, MD 21784 on Sundays.

Click Here to Learn More

Click Below to see a Jam Session Sneak Peek

Summer Classes Now Enrolling!

All Summer classes will be offered IN-PERSON. Please check class details for the location.

BUNDLE & SAVE - click “Learn More” on any class.

​Currently Barrier-Free is not offering any virtual programming.

Summer Improv

Barrier-Free’s beloved summer class is back for ANOTHER round of acting fun! During the course of this 8-week class, participants will learn and engage in the basics of character-based improv and sketch comedy.

Learn More

Power Up!

This 8-week class will encourage individuals to practice various physical & drama skills - coordination, balance, and nonverbal communication - through lots of fun activities and exercises. These activities will include anything from a football toss to hip-hop dancing - something to keep everyone engaged and excited!

Learn More

Join us at the Art & Wine Festival

Saturday, May 7

Barrier-Free Life Skills & Social Studio members are thrilled to be an Art Vendor at the upcoming Art & Wine Festival in Downtown Sykesville!

Stop by to support our members!

Learn More

Community Events

Run Wild for Autism

Please join Pathfinders for Autism for their 12th Annual Run Wild for Autism. The run is back in person at the Maryland Zoo in Baltimore to bring a day of awareness, competition and fundraising for the community.

Learn More

Transition Symposium

​​​​​​​A free 4-part webinar series designed for transitioning individuals and their families.

There are two webinars left!

Learn More

Shine in Your Own Light Showcase

Join the Howard Count Autism Society for an evening of artistic expression! Shine! in Your Own Light Showcase featuring the performances and visual art of teens and adults with Autism.

Learn More

Thank you for you support!

Highlights from S’mores Wars at McDaniel College Theater!

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    About our Blog

    The Barrier-Free blog exists as a space to share Barrier-Free news, helpful information, and a creative sharing space.

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 7520 Main Street #103 Sykesville, MD 21784   |   Email: info@barrierfreemd.com    |   Phone: 301-799-8669 (text preferred)   |   EIN: 84-2964880
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We are proud to be funded in part by a Community Arts Development Grant from the Carroll County Arts Council and the Maryland State Arts Council
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We are proud to be funded in part by an Awesome Foundation grant from the Hey Westminster project
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Barrier-Free is committed to providing access to our web pages for individuals with disabilities. The content of this site has been tested for usability and accessibility using a combination of standards-based, automated procedures and accepted heuristic methods. We make every effort to comply with the requirements of Section 508 of the Rehabilitation Act. Compliance is an ongoing process and we encourage notification when information on our website is inaccessible. If for any reason you are having difficulty accessing any of our resources please contact  Lauren Burr, Executive Director at laurenburr@barrierfreemd.com.

  • Home
  • About
    • Mission & Vision
    • Our Story & Core Values
    • Meet the Team
    • Booking Barrier-Free
    • Calendar
    • Stay Connected
  • Programs
    • Inclusive Theater Companies
    • Life Skills & Social Studio >
      • Intake for New Members
      • Weekly Registration
      • Studio FAQ
    • Individual Skill Coaching
    • Expressive Arts Programs
    • Music Studio >
      • Music Studio New Members
      • Weekly Registration
    • OUT Loud
    • Social Club
  • Get Involved
    • Enroll
    • Attend an Event
    • Internships
    • Volunteer
    • Jobs
  • Media
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    • Sponsorship Levels