Maryland Developmental Disabilities Council

05/29/2026

The Council had a great time yesterday at The Arc Maryland Statewide Convention yesterday. We always love connecting with leaders and advocates from across Maryland.

Council Executive Director Rachel London and other DD Coalition members led a discussion about the legislative session. Plus, we saw so many deserving awardees honored for their commitment to the disability community.

We're already looking forward to next year's convention!

05/22/2026

Four years ago, communications professionals from nonprofits supporting Marylanders with IDD came together to share ideas, build advocacy partnerships, and create a space where people truly understand each other’s challenges and successes.

The group meets virtually each month, but once a year, we have the opportunity to connect in person — and Monday was that day.

Thank you to everyone who joined us on Monday and to all who continue meeting throughout the year to make this collaboration so meaningful. Special thanks to Disability Rights Maryland for hosting!

05/20/2026

Do you know the difference between calling 911 and 988?

Join a free 45-minute webinar for families and people with disabilities. The webinar will cover:
- when to call 911 vs. when to call 988
- the response and support that each service provides
- the different ways you can access these resources
- other community resources, including mental health supports

When: June 3 at 7 pm
Where: Virtual on Zoom
Register below!

05/19/2026

Our Annual Statewide Self-Advocate Summit is on May 27th, the day prior to our Convention.

With so many changes to services and supports, many of us are wondering “Where We Go From Here?” It is time to join together with other self-advocates to forge a path forward - to protect our rights and advance our plans for the future. Your voices are strong and needed to shape the future we want for Marylanders with intellectual and developmental disabilities!

In morning sessions, attendees will discuss civil rights movements that got us to this point, marriage rights and equality, and tools to expand personal and professional networks. In the afternoon, we will design a path forward-together- to protect, charge, and elevate the self-advocate voice for change on the local, state, and national level.

Lunch will be provided for all attendees.
Register for the Free Event at:
Events.Humanitix.com/MD-26-Convention

Thanks to generous support from our community partners, the
Self-Advocacy Summit is FREE to participants. Registration is required, as space is limited.

If you are interested in attending the Convention the following day, registration fees are posted. Limited self-advocate scholarships are available. Please contact Jackson DeCarlo at [email protected] for more information.

Maryland Department of DisabilitiesMaryland Developmental Disabilities CouncilPeople On The Go of Maryland

05/14/2026

Don't miss your chance to comment on our next State Plan! We want your feedback on our draft Goals and Objectives.

The public comment period ends tomorrow, May 15. Use the survey below to give your feedback. Your input will help us finalize our new State Plan!

Tell us what you think about our next State Plan!

The State Plan is the roadmap the Council follows to help us reach our goals. This new plan will guide our work from October 1, 2026 through September 30, 2031.

We want to hear from you! Please use the survey below to give feedback on our draft goals and objectives. Your input will help us finalize the new State Plan.

https://forms.gle/EfFYKCYf5swC7YXG9

05/13/2026

Make an impact in this year's election!

The Maryland Disabilities Forum (MDF) is hosting voter education workshops this year. These workshops focus on voting rights for people with disabilities, accessible voting options, voter registration, and more.

MDF has 2 events coming up in May and 3 more in June. The next event is tomorrow, May 14, at SEEC in Silver Spring.

Sign up and learn how to make your voice heard! https://www.maryland-disabilities-forum.org

05/12/2026

Our 2025 Annual Report is here!

The Council worked hard to create change and improve lives in 2025. Our Annual Report highlights the work we did last year to reach our goals. It includes outcomes from our advocacy and the projects we fund.

The Council empowered advocates and collaborated with state leaders to restore funding for DD services. We launched our new Playgrounds for All website. We highlighted people with DD who live and thrive in their own homes. We continued to support Partners in Policymaking, People on the Go Maryland, and the Youth Leadership forum.

https://www.md-council.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/MDDC_AR25_final.pdf

05/11/2026

The Maryland Department of Disabilities Office of Disability Employment Advancement and Policy is hosting a provider focus group. They want recommendations on how the state can improve employment outcomes for Marylanders with disabilities. Register to attend and share your input!

This event is hybrid, both in person and virtual. It is on Thursday, May 28 at 9 am in Columbia.

Register here: https://events.mdworks.com/FocusGroup #/

05/08/2026

In late April, the Council and Maryland Department of Disabilities presented at the Maryland Recreation & Parks Association conference. Our topic was Playgrounds for All in Maryland. We highlighted our new Playgrounds for All website, talked about the importance of playgrounds where everyone can play together, and showed examples from across Maryland.

Want to learn more about our work? Check out our Playgrounds for All website, complete with a toolkit, resources, and an interactive map!

https://www.playgroundsforallmd.org/

05/04/2026

The Ethan Saylor Alliance is now accepting applications for their 2026 Community Impact Grants! These grants support creative ideas to improve relationships between people with DD and law enforcement or first responders. Grantees may get up to $5,000 for their projects.

Applicants must be nonprofit organizations that support people with DD in Maryland. Applications are due by Wednesday, May 20.

Visit www.ethansayloralliance.org/community-impact-grants to learn more!