The clicking of computer keys is the only sound in Ken Capone's living room as he responds to questions during an interview with Patch.

Capone was born with cerebral palsy 46 years ago, and though he is wheelchair-bound and doesn't have use of his arms or legs, he has not been still. Over the years, Capone has been an advocate's advocate, working not only to inform the public what programs the disabled need but also to organize the disabled population so they can be advocates for themselves.

He types out his communiqués by moving his head and shoulders so that his head stick hits the proper computer keys. Then an authoritative voice rises out of the computer to answer for Capone, who cannot speak.

In Maryland, the league provides programs for more than 2,000 disabled children and adults.

For his work as public policy coordinator for People on the Go of Maryland , the League for People with Disabilities recently honored him as Advocate of the Year.

"Ken, in particular, has greatly helped to empower our participants and motivate them to focus on their full potential," said Kelly Lavelle of the League for People with Disabilities.

"I did not expect it," Capone said of the award, through his voice-activated computer.

According to Lavelle, Capone gave a "tremendous speech" after accepting his award. Capone ended that speech with this line: "What you do for yourself dies when you die, but what you do for others lives on after you are gone."

There were 150 attendees at the organization's award ceremony in Baltimore, where Capone was presented with an artwork of Japanese calligraphy that autistic children from the league's programs had created for him.

A Man of Many Communities

Capone is a member of People on the Go, which is part of ARC of Maryland, an organization that assists those with developmental disabilities. He has worked for the Baltimore and Annapolis offices a total of eight years.

In his capacity as public policy coordinator, Capone's goal is to strengthen advocacy groups already in place and to start new ones. People on the Go of Maryland is free to those with disabilities, and it channels the voice of the disabled on issues like employment, transportation and discrimination.

Capone promotes bills in the Maryland legislature, such as the Lorraine Sheehan Health and Community Services Act of 2011, which was passed the last night of this year's General Assembly session, on April 11. The bill is slated to raise $87 million through increased sales taxes on alcohol products, revenue that will go toward specific health services, like those for the disabled.

The problem that's currently closest to Capone's heart is the large number of disabled people on the waiting list for services. There are now 5,300 people on the waiting list for assistance, according to Maryland's Developmental Disabilities Administration.

Capone would like to see this problem soon resolved. "If we could get the waiting list fully funded, it would give people the support they need to live fulfilling lives in the community," he said.

In his role as public policy coordinator for People on the Go, Capone knows many of the power brokers elected to inhabit the State House three months of every year. They have also become familiar with him and his agenda.

"It is nice to hear legislators call you by name when they see you and ask if you are testifying in their committee," he said.

Before working for People on the Go, Capone worked for the Cross Disability Rights Coalition, but his stint with them ended with the end of their grant. From Elkridge, an attendant drives Capone four days a week to Annapolis for his job.

Though he's only been in Elkridge a year, he clicks a few keys to say, "I love it."

His home now is conveniently not far from Laurel, the site of one of Capone's hobbies: watching horse racing. He spends many weekends at the Laurel racetrack, and there was even a "Kenny Capone Day" held to honor him there about 15 years ago.

"I have become friends with the gate crew and some of the trainers," he said. "Some days I win, and some I lose." In addition to horse racing, he likes to go to concerts (country music is his favorite) and travel. "I have been to Australia to visit my oldest brother. I like going to different places."

He acknowledges that many people in his circumstances don't work or venture out very much. But like the horses he loves, he has always been motivated to push forward.

"It doesn't do any good to complain. I would go crazy just sitting around, not working," he said. One of his pet peeves about the non-disabled population is that "they think I can't do for myself."

He credits his get-going attitude to his upbringing. Capone, who was raised in Silver Spring along with three brothers and two sisters, was mainstreamed through his public school classes. At home, he was treated as a normally as possible.

"Where my brother would go, I would go. I got punished just like my siblings," he said. His parents also expected him to get good grades in school. "My parents are supportive of my work," he said.

And does Capone feel proud when he sees his work for the disabled reaping results?

No clicks necessary for this one. Capone nods in the affirmative, his eyes light up and his face breaks into a beguiling smile.