Bitty & Beau's Coffee in Annapolis
Annapolis, MD - County Executive Steuart Pittman and the Anne Arundel County Commission on Disability Issues recently announced the name of the 2025 DisAbility Awareness Day Honoree. This annual award is presented to an individual or business in the community that has made a lifetime commitment to improving the lives of individuals with disabilities. The Honoree will be recognized at the annual DisAbility Awareness Day event on Thursday, October 30, 2025, from 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. at the Severn Senior Activity Center.
This year’s honoree, Bitty & Beau's Coffee in Annapolis, is a shining example of inclusive employment, demonstrating that businesses can thrive by hiring people with intellectual and developmental disabilities.
Since 2020, the shop has provided meaningful work, opportunities for independence, and community connection to staff with intellectual and developmental disabilities. The Annapolis location is part of a national network of over 20 shops that employ more than 450 people with disabilities.
The environment is designed to be welcoming and empowering, allowing employees to take on front-facing roles and build professional skills. By paying competitive wages and offering skill development, Bitty & Beau's challenges outdated perceptions and inspires other employers to prioritize ability over assumption. The founders, Amy and Ben Wright, were nationally recognized with the 2024 Jefferson Award for Public Service for creating this replicable model.
For its measurable impact on employment, commitment to shifting community attitudes, and role as an inspiring example of inclusion, Bitty & Beau's Coffee in Annapolis is an outstanding honoree for Disability Awareness Day.
"The work of Amy and Ben Wright, through the creation of Bitty & Beau's Coffee, is more than just entrepreneurial success; it's a powerful testament to dignity and potential,” said Karrisa Kelly, director of the Anne Arundel County Department of Aging and Disabilities. “They haven't simply built a business; they've built a movement, proving that by valuing the abilities of people with intellectual and developmental disabilities, we all gain a richer, more vibrant community. Their commitment is an inspiring, vital blueprint for true inclusion."
This event is held in October each year during National Disability Employment Awareness Month. Businesses, employers, and community groups will also be recognized for their contributions to improving the lives of people with disabilities over the past year. The event will feature performances by The Talent Machine along with exhibitors sharing information on disability resources. ASL interpreters and CART will be available for the duration of the event.
The event is free and open to the public.
For more information about this event or the Anne Arundel County Department of Aging and Disabilities, contact the ADA Office at 410-222-4383. Anyone needing accommodations other than ASL or CART interpretation should contact that office by phone or at agmart11@aacounty.org at least seven days in advance of the event. TTY users, please call via Maryland Relay 7-1-1. All materials are available in an alternative format upon request.
