See ME. See My Ability

Our podcasting class in Prince Frederick hosted the lady in charge of the State of Maryland's Autism Strategy, Victoria Rodriguez-Roldan. She heard some of our participants' personal stories and answered questions from staff. You can find out more about where Victoria works here: https://mdod.maryland.gov/ Music: Ron Davis, jazz pianist, "All God's Children."

Arc Southern Maryland students in Waldorf recently participated in a conversation with podcast host Rita Rich about St. Patrick's Day. Listen as the class talks about being proud of their ancestry and of being an American. Hear how they learned about prejudices persisting against those considered different decades ago. Another lesson learned: If you want people to understand the prejudices and misconceptions of others about your own intellectual or developmental disabilities, you need to be compassionate about the prejudices others face.

Episode 75 of the See Me. See My Ability: The Podcast of The Arc Southern Maryland features a conversation that podcast host Rita Rich had with 77-year-old Tim Gowen and his sister during DD Day in Annapolis. We met after members of our Arc and Tim spoke with State Senator Jack Bailey of St. Mary's County. Tim is a prime example of a guy who doesn't know what it means to quit! He's thinking about his next goals as an athlete and is proud to represent our state, Maryland.

Our DD Day preview: Throughout the day on the 18th, podcast host Rita Rich will be filing updates from our state Capital that will be available on the Arc Southern Maryland’s Facebook page. We’d like our people to check that page and click on our content throughout the day. Our guests are once again Senator Sara Love and Delegate Michelle Guyton. And, we bring back our ”siren song” from our last podcast episode which features Ronnie Hammond of Statewide Broadband.

See Me. See My Ability. The Podcast of the Arc Southern Maryland recently talked with Ronnie Hammond, the director of the Maryland office for Statewide Broadband Development. He provides messages for our Arc Southern Maryland Advocates to share with state lawmakers on Developmental Disability Day on February 18th. #arcmaryland #annapolis #love #guyton #dontyouforgetaboutme#breakfastclub #ddday

See Me, See My Ability Podcast of the Arc Southern Maryland talked with the two organizers of the Art in Full Spectrum exhibition on the fourth floor of the Maryland House of Delegates. Listen as two colleagues, State Delegate Michelle Guyton and State Senator Sara Love talk about their lives as mothers of neurodiverse kids, and advocates for other families and friends of the IDD. Our episode art is inspired by original art that is one of the 60 pieces on display now through mid April, 2026. Shout out to Akeem Young! Artificial Intelligence helped podcast host Rita Rich insert the headshots of our guests. See the original piece of art and our guests during Developmental Disability Day in Annapolis next month! #arcmaryland #ddday #ArcSoMD

Rita Rich talked with Arc SO MD clients about their wishes and hopes for 2026. For some, it was maintaining what made them happy. For others, they hope for big changes. Others quietly asked others to do their best to petition their government for a better life. In the end, we are all asked to try harder to listen and hear what others are saying. #2026 #resolutions #wishes #hopes #arc #southernmaryland.

These are just samples of some of our sound-rich podcast episodes released in 2025. It highlights podcasting class lessons of Arc clients, and others, about the use of background and other sounds and how podcasts can be created outdoors. It's another way that we learn to meet our community "where they are," whether it's via Zoom, or going out and about to interact with them. It also highlights our teaching about how horrible conditions have been for people all sorts of handicaps in our country and how our people are advocating that "we will not go back." #arc #maryland #disabilityrightsarehumanrights #SouthernMaryland #SouthernChesapeake #2025

Welcome to our first podcast of December, 2025. It's been a hard year and financially for Arcs around Maryland. Thank goodness for some good news and positive developments for the Arc Southern Maryland and it's longtime support staff and the people we serve. Listen as one of our friends Malek Stover stands up and speaks in front of the whole podcasting class, and our our executive director, Terry Long, explains how our Arc is growing and taking on new turf.

It's been a rough fall for intellectual and developmental disabilities caregivers and support organizations. But we are so thankful to be doing the jobs we are doing and for the people we serve. Laughing with your friends is the best medicine. #thankful #thanksgiving #Washington #Commanders #laughterguru #arcsouthernmaryland #dba #arcsouthernchesapeake #boyfriendgirlfriend .

Host Rita Rich is joined by Jane Bachman of Annmarie Sculpture Garden and Arts Center of Solomons Island to talk about the importance of this year's giving day, Tuesday, December 2nd. There are over 800 nonprofit organizations throughout Calvert, Charles, and St. Mary's Counties, and now, more than ever, they are stepping up to help us during the Federal Government Shutdown. Our Arc is serving people regardless of our access to funds, thanks to you. Please consider donating dollars to us via our website. We can use help with our dental fund and to fund unforeseen needs that pop up at these stressful times. Please consider joining our nonprofit friends associated with Leadership Southern Maryland and check out their website to find out how you can participate in the one day virtual fundraiser they are organizing for Giving Tuesday. You have a deadline of November 15th to sign up! Do you like the jazz we sampled in this podcast? There's much more where that came from. Rita Rich has produced this podcast with the permission of Ron Davis, the composer and pianist, who is based in Toronto, Ontario, Canada.

Our guest has experience as both a client and a leader of community charitable organizations. She's used her passion for service to earn a law degree and consult with numerous non-profit organizations throughout Maryland, DC, and Virginia. Meet Michelle Sullivan, the Southern Maryland liaison for the Chesapeake Charities Community Foundation. This foundation supports organizations that, in turn, support our communities and help keep our non-profit running.

"See Me See My Ability" gets the lowdown on what Spark is from the leading expert on Autism and Autism Services in our state, the Kennedy Krieger Institute, and its Dr. Erika Wodka. Listen as we discuss what you've been reading about all over social media sites like Facebook and LinkedIn. Find out if the online community and aspects of research would be a good fit for you and your family, and get to know native Marylander Dr. Erika Wodka.

The Arc Southern Maryland's Gene Nice is a Blue Ribbon champion numerous times at the Calvert County Fair. He encourages others who bake, create art, raise animals, and make things to enter their stuff in the fair because they just might get a ribbon! Gene Nice really is nice! He's an example of why those with disabilities need to be seen and heard.

Joyce Allen, a native of southern Maryland, has been with the Arc Southern Maryland for a combined 30 years. Joyce says her mother told her to come back to the Arc after she left after her first five years. Joyce tells podcast host Rita Rich why she is so devoted to her people at the Arc. This is the first episode of Season Three of the See Me, See My Ability Podcast.

Mary's celebrating over 35 years of working at the Arc Southern Maryland. It's more than a job for Mary. Mary says she doesn't have a job. She has a mission. It's not just about the paycheck. She shares with host Rita Rich her reasons for joining the team and working to improve how others learn to do their jobs. https://arcsomd.org/its-not-just-a-paycheck/

Schools out for Summer and teachers and students are worried about forgetting everything they learned last semester. We get some tips from Dr. Emma Cole, Pediatric Neuropsychologist at the Kennedy Krieger Institute. One of the take-aways from host Rita Rich's conversation: Reading is fundemental.