Noel Bingham began working with students with autism as an IISS and respite technician over 20 years ago while attending Catholic University of America in Washington, DC. She went on to earn her master’s in special education from the University of Maryland, College Park and subsequently worked as a classroom teacher for students with autism and related disabilities while also provided family training for students on the Autism Waiver. Noel’s passion for music and recognition of it as a powerful tool to reach students with communication challenges inspired her to create a camp based on her classroom model. In 2009, Noel became an approved Autism Waiver Medicaid provider in Maryland and founded Celebrate Ability, which initially consisted of six-week Saturday sessions specializing in making music and the arts more accessible for children with autism. Celebrate Ability quickly grew to include an after-school program as well as a full range of in-home services including Family Consultation, Intensive Individual Support Services, Respite Services, and Adult Life Planning. Since 2009, Celebrate Ability has expanded to proudly serve hundreds of Maryland families across the State through the support of a diverse team of professional staff. Over time, Celebrate Ability students’ and families’ need for continuity of service after their time on the Autism Waiver became evident. In 2023, Noel founded Celebrate Independence as a means to provide tailored vendor services to individuals choosing to self-direct their DDA Waiver Services. Since its inception, Celebrate Independence has quickly grown as a community where participants choosing self-directed services can exercise choice, control, and authority over their supports. Noel enjoys spending time with her husband and three children in her spare time.