Contact: Mary Anderson, 240-777-6534

For Immediate Release: January 24, 2002

National Easter Seals Society Awards
Duncan with 2001 Outstanding Advocate Award

The Easter Seals Society will recognize County Executive Douglas M. Duncan this evening by awarding him the national group's 2001 Outstanding Advocate Award at the annual meeting of the local Easter Seals organization. The award presentation will be held at 7:00 p.m. at the Bethesda Marriott, 5151 Pooks Hill Road in Bethesda.

"As both County Executive and Mayor of Rockville, Duncan has shown his commitment to serving people with disabilities in the community," said Jess L. Hall, Jr., president and chief executive officer of the Easter Seal Society. "His leadership on several initiatives aimed at building on the County's effort to meet both the letter-and the spirit-of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) show his commitment to this population."

Duncan is being recognized for initiatives such as his work to ensure that the County government and private businesses in Montgomery County are in compliance with the ADA. He also appointed an ADA Task Force and charged them with:

· increasing efforts to ensure that all policies and programs sponsored or regulated by the County are in compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act;

· recommending ways to enhance efforts to recruit qualified applicants with disabilities for County employment at all levels and in all departments;

· recruiting persons with disabilities for County boards, commissions and other entities; and

· increasing accessibility for people with disabilities within both the public and private sectors.

He is also being recognized for his assistance in securing a piece of County owned land in downtown Silver Spring to be used for the Society's new Inter-Generational Care Center.

"I am honored to receive this award from an organization that has spent its entire history making it easier for children and adults with disabilities to live independent lives and fully participate and contribute to our society," said Duncan.

The Outstanding Advocate Award is given annually to an elected municipal official.