Advocate for disabled is honored for work

Capone’s cerebral palsy slows movement but hasn’t stopped his lobbying with state

Thursday, June 8, 2006

Click here to enlarge this photo Christopher Anderson⁄The Gazette Disability rights activist Ken Capone types out a message on the computer mounted on his wheelchair. The computer converts text to speech, allowing him to communicate with others at his Annapolis office. Capone was named the Self-Advocate of the Year by The Arc of Maryland for his work.

But people are listening, especially in Annapolis.

Capone, 41, who was born with cerebral palsy, was awarded the 2006 Self Advocate of the Year Award by The Arc of Maryland last month for his extensive work fighting for the rights of people with disabilities.

‘‘I wanted to educate the legislators that people with severe disabilities are able to work and live in the community with the proper support,” said Capone, who lives in Beltsville with his mother.

Capone has been an intern the last two General Assembly sessions with Montgomery County Sen. Sharon Grosfeld (D-Dist. 18), analyzing legislation from a disabilities standpoint. He has become an influential presence, working on bills that provide health care and rights to people in institutions. One such bill provides the disabled with the right to be informed of less restrictive options related to the care they receive.

‘‘I love what I’m doing, so when I get a little tired, I just think about the people that I’m helping, and that helps me,” Capone said.

Grosfeld has said that Capone’s influence is real. Since he started working with her, the Senate Education, Health and Environmental Affairs Committee has accepted his testimony and hasn’t voted against a position he has taken.

Capone didn’t plan a career as a disability rights advocate. He took classes in computer programming but wasn’t able to land a job in the field.

Eventually, he began working with the self-advocacy group People on the Go. From there, he was offered a job with the Cross Disability Rights Coalition, where he is co-director. He also serves on the governor’s Department of Disabilities Commission.

‘‘When people are advocating for themselves, they’re more effective,” said Sarah Basehart, assistant director for the Arc of Maryland, who praised Capone’s work.

Capone, who also works with the Arc, intends to continue with the legislature with a clear goal in mind. He wants to see the four remaining state residential centers (institutions for people with disabilities) closed, and the patients integrated into society as he has been.

Capone hopes to work with a different senator next session. He said he needs to continue teaching the representatives, ‘‘but with the elections coming up this fall, there will be new legislators to educate.”

E-mail Judson Berger atjberger@gazette.net.