At Fello, we work hard to build a culture where everyone feels valued—because that’s what our team means to us. When employees feel respected, empowered, and supported, they’re better equipped to provide the exceptional support people with disabilities and our communities deserve. 

But it’s one thing to say we care about our culture. It’s another to have our team say it too. 

We invited Fello employees to share their perspectives through the Baltimore Business Journal’s (BBJ) annual Best Places to Work survey. Their responses didn’t just earn us recognition—they confirmed what we’ve always believed: Fello is a place where people are proud of their work and know they belong. 

Recognized as a Top Workplace 

Every year, the BBJ names the Greater Baltimore area’s top workplaces. Only the highest-scoring companies earn the Best Place to Work designation. The results come directly from employees, who complete a confidential survey about what it’s like to work at their company. 

Fello was proud to be selected as a 2026 Best Place to Work—one of just 50 companies chosen. We were also one of only eight in the large company category, and the only nonprofit in that group. 

“Being named a Best Place to Work is a tremendous honor for Fello,” said Jonathon Rondeau, President & CEO of Fello. “What makes this designation especially meaningful is knowing it comes from our team’s own experiences. Whether in the community or in the office, our people-first philosophy shapes everything we do—and we’re committed to empowering our team to do their best. We’re grateful to be recognized for it.” 

Culture by Design 

The culture we’ve built didn’t happen by accident. It’s the result of years spent investing in our people—so they can continue giving their best to those we support—and creating a workplace where people want to grow, contribute, and stay for the long term. 

From free on-site primary care for employees and their families to a Career Ladder that gives Direct Support Professionals (DSPs) a clear path to advancement, everything about our culture is built on an idea: find out what matters most to our people, and make it happen. 

Being recognized by the BBJ is a big moment for Fello, but it’s not the end of the journey. We’re always looking for ways to grow, because we want Fello to be the place where people who believe in inclusion can build meaningful careers and make a difference every day. 

We’ll keep listening, keep investing, and keep finding new ways to support the people who make Fello what it is. That’s the culture we’re building at Fello—today, and for years to come. 

This year, as Fello celebrates 65 years of supporting people with disabilities and building inclusive communities, we’re reflecting on the history of the disability rights movement and the milestones that helped shape the work we do today. 

The 2000s brought cultural change for people with disabilities across the United States. As more institutions closed and community supports expanded, people with disabilities gained new opportunities and began to feel like they truly belonged. 

By 2010, many people with disabilities who once lived in institutions were now active members of their communities. People with disabilities increasingly had the opportunity to direct their own lives as laws, policies, and support systems evolved to advance greater independence, choice, and inclusion. 

Policy Furthers Participation 

As community support services received more funding and institutions continued to close, people with disabilities began to make more decisions about where they lived, worked, and how they spent their time. New legislation helped make those choices possible.  

In 2010, the Affordable Care Act (ACA) became law, marking a significant advance in health care access for people with disabilities. For the first time, young adults could stay on their parents’ insurance until age 26, and insurers were prohibited from denying coverage or charging more due to a pre-existing condition.  

The ACA also expanded protections against discrimination in health care and created new Medicaid options—including the Community First Choice (CFC) option—to help states provide home and community-based services that support people living in their communities rather than institutions. 

The 2014 Home & Community-Based Services (HCBS) Settings Rule continued the shift away from institutions by requiring that Medicaid-funded services be delivered in truly integrated community settings. States developed transition plans that brought services into compliance with the rule while giving people greater choice and control over their lives. Fello had embraced these principles nearly a decade earlier through Chesapeake Neighbors (now Fello Communities), which separated housing from support services and gave residents more control over where and how they lived. 

Texas enacted the nation’s first Supported Decision-Making law in 2015—giving people with disabilities the right to make their own choices with guidance from trusted supporters, rather than having a guardian make decisions for them. More than half the country would go on to pass similar laws. Economic doors began to open as well—the ABLE Act of 2014 allowed eligible people with disabilities to pursue greater financial independence by opening tax-free savings accounts without risking their benefits.  

Together, these policy changes reflected a growing national commitment to dignity, autonomy, and full community participation. At Fello, we saw the same momentum in Maryland and continued to expand programs and partnerships that helped make inclusion a reality.   

Leading Fello Forward 

By 2010, Fello had spent nearly 50 years supporting and advocating alongside people with disabilities. Over the decade, we strengthened that commitment and laid the groundwork for who Fello is today. 

After nearly 20 years of leadership, Executive Director Kate Rollason retired. In 2017, Jonathon Rondeau joined Fello as President and Chief Executive Officer (CEO), bringing a renewed vision to advance equity and expand opportunities for people with disabilities across Maryland. 

During his first year, Jonathon introduced a strategic plan built on three priorities: creating seamless support for people with disabilities and their families, building an excellent employee experience, and establishing a strong foundation for sustainable growth. 

One of the earliest and most impactful initiatives to emerge from this work was the launch of the Family Fund in 2017. Designed to help cover the costs of therapies, adaptive equipment, and vital services not covered by insurance, the Family Fund quickly became a lifeline for families across Maryland. Nearly a decade later, it remains a powerful example of that early commitment in action, with 2026 marking its most successful year yet. 

Jonathon’s leadership shaped the years that followed. As demand for community-based support grew across Maryland, we expanded where and how we showed up—whether in workplaces or in daily life. 

Working for Fair Wages 

For nearly a century, Section 14(c) of the Fair Labor Standards Act has allowed employers to pay people with disabilities less than minimum wage (i.e., subminimum wage), often limiting employment opportunities to sheltered workshops. Ongoing advocacy—especially throughout the 2010s—led to real progress toward fairer workplaces. 

Between 2010 and 2019, the number of employers participating in the federal subminimum-wage program was cut in half—a sign that U.S. companies increasingly recognized the value people with disabilities bring to the workforce.  

States also began taking action. In 2015, New Hampshire became the first state to eliminate subminimum wages. Other states followed, enacting legislation to end or phase out the practice—including Maryland in 2016. 

Fello continued to build on the employment initiatives launched in the 2000s. Early in the decade, Fello partnered with Project SEARCH to help young adults successfully transition into meaningful employment—a partnership that continues today.  

We also expanded our workforce development program to reach more people, creating new job opportunities and strengthening relationships with businesses across Maryland. By the end of the decade, both the number of people in the program and the number of employer partners had doubled. 

Community Impact 

The progress of the 2010s reflected a growing national belief: people with disabilities deserve equal rights, equal opportunity, and equal respect. 

Legislative victories, fairer wages and employment options, and continued advocacy helped people with disabilities participate more fully in their communities. 

At Fello, those same principles shaped the work we did every day. Building on the vision of our founders, we invested in new programs, strengthened community partnerships, and continued creating opportunities for people with disabilities to live with greater independence and connection.  

The decade closed with a clear sense of momentum. The foundation had been laid for even greater transformation—and Fello was ready to lead it. 

Next in the series: The 2020s—a global pandemic that reshaped community-based care, mounting pressure to end subminimum wages, and a new chapter as Fello.

July is Disability Pride Month—a time to celebrate the disability community, honor the progress of the disability rights movement, and reflect on how we can all help build a more inclusive world. 

The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) was signed into law 36 years ago, transforming accessibility and civil rights protections across the country. Disability Pride Month honors that progress while reminding us that inclusion is ongoing work—work that continues today through advocacy, community, and everyday acts of belonging. 

Creating space to celebrate disability pride helps normalize it. Every conversation, shared experience, and advocacy effort deepens understanding and brings us closer to communities where everyone truly belongs. 

Whether you’re a family member, a Direct Support Professional (DSP), a friend, or an ally, here are five meaningful ways to celebrate Disability Pride Month. 

1. Take a Deep Dive into Pride 

One of the most powerful ways to honor Disability Pride Month is to support people with disabilities in embracing their own sense of pride. This means following their lead—not defining what pride should look like for them.  

“Everyone carries a self-image that shapes how they see both themselves and the world around them. For people with disabilities, it’s often those closest to them who try to define that image,” said Niki Jones, Director of Living Options & Services at Fello. “When we empower people with disabilities to discover and embrace their self-worth independently, we do more than uplift how they see themselves—we affirm that their self-image is truly their own.” 

Activity: My Story, My Way 

Invite someone you know to share what disability pride means to them, using whatever mode of communication feels most comfortable. That could include conversation, artwork, pictures, music, or Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC). 

The goal isn’t to shape their perspective, but to give them space to express themselves authentically and on their own terms. 

2. Learn About Disability Rights History 

Disability pride carries deeper meaning when we understand its roots. Learning about the advocates who challenged barriers and changed laws helps us appreciate both the progress that’s been made and the work that continues today. 

Fello’s The Movement That Made Us series provides a decade-by-decade exploration of the history of the disability rights movement. Reading it together creates an opportunity to reflect on the victories and milestones that have shaped what it means to live with a disability today. 

• The Movement That Made Us: The 1960s 
• The Movement That Made Us: The 1970s 
• The Movement That Made Us: The 1980s 
• The Movement That Made Us: The 1990s 
• The Movement That Made Us: The 2000s 

The disability rights movement was driven by self-advocates dedicated to making a difference—and that spirit lives today. Anyone can be a self-advocate, and Disability Pride Month is the perfect time to begin. 

Activity: Write a Letter to Advocate for Disability Funding 

Work together to write a letter to your elected officials. Encourage the person to share their story and why disability services are vital—not just for themselves, but for the broader goal of inclusion. Find your elected officials here. 

If they find this activity meaningful, encourage them to stay engaged. Fello’s Living Boldly group empowers people with disabilities to raise their voices and advance rights across Maryland—and new members are always welcome. 

3. Explore the Community Together 

Some of the most memorable moments happen when we step outside our routines and experience something new together. Shared experiences like these create opportunities for growth, confidence, and connection. 

Set aside a few hours to visit somewhere that matches the interests of the person in your life—a new restaurant, a tucked-away coffee shop, or a park they’ve always passed but never explored. Often, the most meaningful adventures are the ones closest to home. 

“Home activities will always have their place, but people with disabilities often feel most fulfilled when they’re out in the world engaging, connecting, and contributing as neighbors and community members,” said Jodie Colombo, Director of Day Services. “An active life builds self-pride and strengthens our sense of belonging in the neighborhoods where we live and work. That’s something that benefits everyone.” 

Activity: Pride Walk 

Invite friends and family to join a neighborhood walk while everyone wears or carries something that represents disability pride—such as a shirt, a pin, or a flag. It’s a simple, visible way to celebrate together and stand with people with disabilities in your own community. 

4. Attend a Local Disability Pride Event 

Disability Pride Month is celebrated with events across the country—and in Maryland, there’s no shortage of opportunities to come together, connect, and belong. 

• Baltimore’s Annual Disability Pride Arts Fest offers free, inclusive art workshops and performances celebrating the creativity and leadership of the disability community. 

• Montgomery Parks’ Disability Pride Outside features accessible and adaptive outdoor experiences—kayaking, guided boat tours, and birding—so that everyone can participate. 

• The City of Frederick’s Cultural Connection brings the community together for an evening of art that highlights the experiences and contributions of Frederick’s disability community through creative expression. 

Activity: Free Events at Fello at The Mall 

Every month, Fello at The Mall, located in the Annapolis Mall, hosts free, accessible events designed for people with disabilities and their families. On July 28 and August 1, join us for an afternoon of crafting and creating—and an opportunity to learn about Fello’s services and connect with resources in your community. 

5. Reflect on Your Own Journey 

Disability Pride Month isn’t only for people with disabilities. It’s an opportunity for everyone to consider how we each contribute to building a more inclusive community. 

Take some time this month to reflect on your own attitudes and beliefs about disability. Are there assumptions or biases that might be holding you back from being a stronger advocate? Where is there room to expand your understanding or challenge your perspective? 

Those questions aren’t always comfortable—but growth rarely is.  

“Pausing to reflect on our own beliefs and envision the future we hope to create is one of the most important steps we can take when supporting and advocating for people with disabilities,” said Joan Green, Director of Community Engagement. “Being the best advocates we can be is a lifelong journey of checking in and showing up. It takes intention, and it’s always worthwhile.” 

Make This Month Matter 

Disability Pride Month is a reminder that inclusion isn’t built through one big moment. It’s built through everyday choices—listening with intention, creating opportunities for connection, advocating for accessibility, and celebrating the unique strengths and experiences of people with disabilities.  

However you choose to celebrate, what matters most is being there—for the people in your life, for the broader disability community, and for the inclusive Maryland we’re working to build together.