January 1997

MRS and MDTAP Begin Program To Distribute Telecommunications Devices

by Susan Levy, MD TAP's Sensory Aids Specialist

The Maryland Relay Service (MRS) has begun a new program to distribute telecommunications devices to people who have disabilities and who meet financial qualifications. If you qualify for this program, you can receive a free TTY, amplified telephone, hands free telephone, memory telephone or other equipment that would make it easier for you to communicate via telephone. The equipment provided would come with a five year warranty, after which you can have it replaced with a new unit.

MD TAP will be working cooperatively with MRS to demonstrate telecommunications devices to help people find just the right device for their needs. They will also provide training to people receiving equipment with which they are not experienced.

For Additional information and an application, please contact Brenda Kelly-Frey at MRS at (410) 767-5891 TTY/Voice

Governor's Award Program To Highlight The Achievements In Employment Of People With Disabilities

Employers Of People With Disabilities Will Also Be Recognized

by Bobette Watts, Public Information Officer for the Governor's Office for Individuals with Disabilities

Governor Parris N. Glendening's Committee on Employment of People with Disabilities is now accepting nominations for its 1997 awards program. There are nine categories in which individuals and businesses may be nominated for awards:

1. Youth with a Disability Essay Contest
2. Outstanding Marylander with a Disability
3. Employer of the Year
4. Health Care Professional of the Year
5. Barrier-Free Design
6. Chester A. Troy, Sr. Public Service
7. Print or Electronic Media
8. Distinguished Service
9. Evie Cutler Memorial Helping Hand

"These annual awards highlight the accomplishments of individuals with disabilities in school, the community and in the workplace. Each of these awards helps us to focus on the need to work together to increase employment of people with disabilities," stated Governor Glendening.

Winners of the awards will be honored and presentations made at the Committee's annual conference and awards luncheon scheduled for Friday, April 25, 1997 at Martin's West in Baltimore.

Nomination forms and additional information may be obtained by calling the Governor's Committee on Employment of People with Disabilities at (410) 333-2263 v/tty.

All nominations must be postmarked by February 7, 1997.

Regional Programs Get New Look with Familiar Faces

UMES Takes Over Operation of MD TAP Eastern Shore

University of Maryland Eastern Shore (UMES) was recently awarded the contract to operate MD TAP's Eastern Shore program. The program will be run under the immediate supervision of Dr. Joanne Fobbs at the Rehab Services Department of the University.

The program will continue to have a familiar look to it with the hiring of Janet Parke, MD TAP's Eastern Shore regional technologist. The main demonstration center for the program will continue to be housed at Holly Center in Salisbury.

Although the program has been taken over by UMES, the program will remain under the leadership of Central Maryland TAP. Residents of the Eastern Shore can continue to look forward to excellent service from MD TAP's Eastern Shore program. The future of the program looks very bright indeed.

CTE Takes Over Operation of MD TAP Western Region

CTE has hired long-time MD TAP regional technologist Rick Metheny to be its technologist. Rick also served as TAPPING TECHNOLOGY's Editor in chief. The program will no longer be housed at Potomac Center, but will have its primary offices located in Cumberland, Maryland.

Like the Eastern Shore program, the Western region program will remain under the leadership of Central Maryland TAP. Things are looking up for Western Maryland.

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