Developmental Disabilities Day at the Legislature

Developmental Disabilities Day at the Legislature
February 12, 2020
8:45am-11am
The Graduate Hotel, 126 West Street
Annapolis, MD

Sponsored by the Maryland Developmental Disabilities Coalition whose members include The Arc Maryland, Disability Rights Maryland, Maryland Association of Community Services, Maryland Developmental Disabilities Council and People on the Go of Maryland, Developmental Disabilities Day at the Legislature is one of the largest gatherings of the year for disability advocates across Maryland.

This year, Developmental Disabilities Day at the Legislature expects nearly 1000 advocates, families, policy makers, and colleagues in Annapolis for this opportunity to learn about 2020 priorities and meet with State representatives to create a better tomorrow with and for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities (I/DD) and their families. Held at The Graduate Hotel located at 126 West St, Annapolis, MD 21401, the day begins at 8:45am with advocates hearing from leaders of the Maryland Developmental Disabilities Coalition, and leaders of the state departments responsible for disability services. Attendees will also hear from legislative “champions” who year in and out, develop and support legislation to improve the lives of Marylanders with I/DD. The goal for DD Day is to show the power of the DD grassroots community from every corner of Maryland, and to educate and advocate about what is most important to them. Following the event at The Graduate, attendees will travel to Senate and House Office Buildings to meet with their elected officials and staff to discuss the information learned and to share their experiences and stories.

Crystal Stephens, Board member of The Arc Maryland and president of a local self-advocacy organization reflected, “It is important for legislators to see us in person and see the faces of those who receive services.”

This year, it is critical that people with I/DD and other advocates raise their voices in Annapolis. The funding that was promised for Developmental Disabilities Community Services through the Minimum Wage Act of 2019 is needed by disability organizations to keep pace with the increases in the minimum wage in the state. The mandated full increase of 4% was cut in half to 2% in the Governor’s proposed budget- a devastating action to community services.

“A 2% increase for Developmental Disabilities provider funding is not have enough for providers of disability services to operate,” explained Ande Kolp, Executive Director of The Arc Maryland. “We are honestly talking about the viability of our entire system of services and supports for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities. Without the restoration of this needed funding to the budget, we may see more agencies in financial distress as they struggle to make payroll, and a continued crisis of provider capacity. Many families are already struggling to access the help they need for their adult children with intellectual and developmental disabilities. That struggle will only intensify without appropriate funding of the system.”

The Maryland General Assembly can restore the 2% funding to the DDA budget- a message people with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities and other advocates will share with legislators.
Carol Dean, the mother of two daughters receiving services notes, “It’s frustrating and discouraging that some of our most vulnerable individuals, those with intellectual disabilities, cannot get the care they need. This leaves our daughters and others at risk because the providers that support them cannot fully staff for the level of care needed.” Besides the Governor’s budget, other priorities that will be discussed at DD Day at the Legislature include bills to improve access to voting, employment, education, bathrooms, lodging, and justice for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities. For more information, please contact a member of the Maryland Developmental Disabilities Coalition.

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MARYLAND DEVELOPMENTAL DISABILITIES COALITION
The Arc Maryland- Ande Kolp akolp@thearcmd.org Disability Rights Maryland: Adrienne Mallinson AdrienneM@disabilityrightsmd.org Maryland Association of Community Services: Laura Howell lhowell@macsonline.com Maryland Developmental Disabilities Council: Rachel London rachell@md-council.org People on the Go of Maryland: Ken Capone ken@pogmd.org