Making Support Visible: Montgomery College Celebrates Butterfly Indicator Program, Inspired by Eric's ID Law

Montgomery College (MC) will celebrate its Butterfly Indicator Program on Thursday, October 15, recognizing a new initiative that allows students with non-apparent disabilities to voluntarily add a butterfly symbol to their MC identification cards.

Inspired by the passage of Maryland’s Eric’s ID Law and the advocacy of current Montgomery College student Eric Carpenter-Grantham and his mother, Linda Carpenter-Grantham, the program uses the butterfly as a visual cue that a student may benefit from additional patience, support or different approach to communication.

Participation in the Butterfly Indicator Program is voluntary and free, and students are not required to provide medical documentation to receive the butterfly designation. Although Eric’s ID Law does not apply to institutions of higher education, Montgomery College is voluntarily embracing the intent behind the law through its own student ID designation, accompanied by training and awareness efforts across the College.

“Eric and Linda turned a personal experience into advocacy that is creating greater understanding for people with non-apparent disabilities,” said Montgomery College President Jermaine F. Williams. “By embracing the butterfly designation at Montgomery College, we are building on their work and helping create an environment where students are seen, understood and supported.”

The program’s initial phase has included training for Public Safety and frontline staff, focusing on understanding non-apparent disabilities, communication strategies, de-escalation techniques, recognition and inclusive support. Eric and Linda shared their lived experience as part of the training.

The College plans to expand awareness and training to additional frontline staff and faculty while gathering feedback from students and the campus community. Future efforts may include additional focus groups and surveys, student-led awareness and education and a broader collegewide awareness campaign.

The October 15 celebration event will be held at the Charlene R. Nunley Student Services Center on the Takoma Park/Silver Spring Campus.

The program begins at 10:15 a.m. and will include remarks from Montgomery College President Jermaine F. Williams, Montgomery College Board of Trustees Chair Annice Cody, Eric and Linda Carpenter-Grantham, and invited elected officials. Adam Reid, Montgomery College vice president of public safety, health and emergency management, will provide an overview of Eric’s ID Law and the College’s response.

The program will also include citation presentations recognizing the College and Eric and Linda Carpenter-Grantham for their efforts to advance awareness and support for individuals with non-apparent disabilities. It will conclude with a photo opportunity featuring a large-scale student ID card displaying the butterfly designation.

Following the program, a student accessibility and disability support resource fair will take place from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. in the second-floor atrium of the Nunley Student Services Center. The fair will feature accessibility and disability support resources as well as a mobile ID station where students can learn about the butterfly designation and have their MC IDs updated on site.

Members of the media are invited to attend. Photography, video and interview opportunities will be available during the program and resource fair.