The Arc Maryland

The Arc Maryland The Arc Maryland began in 1960 as a small group of concerned parents.

Today we are the largest statewide advocacy organization assisting persons with intellectual and developmental disabilities in Maryland.

Yesterday, The Arc Maryland attended the Maryland Department of Health - Developmental Disabilities Administration's Tec...
08/28/2026

Yesterday, The Arc Maryland attended the Maryland Department of Health - Developmental Disabilities Administration's Technology First Event! It was a great opportunity to connect with the community and learn about accessible technology options that make Maryland a Technology First State!

Partners in Policymaking® is your opportunity to connect and share with fellow advocates! Rico Winston (class of ‘20) sh...
08/25/2026

Partners in Policymaking® is your opportunity to connect and share with fellow advocates! Rico Winston (class of ‘20) shared, “My favorite part about Partners, without hesitation, was the friendships and relationships that I forged. The way you change the world isn’t by doing it alone, but by doing it together.” Applications for Maryland’s 2026-27 class close next Friday, September 4th. Get started on your application today at https://thearcmd.org/partners/

We spent yesterday evening at Old Mill Middle School’s Back-to-School Block Party alongside students, families, staff, a...
08/21/2026

We spent yesterday evening at Old Mill Middle School’s Back-to-School Block Party alongside students, families, staff, and local organizations to celebrate the new school year and build connections within the community. It was an awesome opportunity to spread the message of The Arc and connect attendees with resources from programs like Together We’re Better, AT&T Digital Literacy, and Partners in Policymaking®. Thanks for having us, OMMS!

08/20/2026

Community living was never supposed to mean families doing everything alone.

As the country moved away from institutions, people with disabilities were supposed to get the support they needed to live in their communities. But respite care, direct support workers, behavioral services, and other help can still be hard to find. Now, some of the support families do have is at risk.

We know from families and our own research what happens when services aren’t there. When services became harder to find, 81% of family caregivers told us they provided more support themselves. More than half reported very high stress, and half said caregiving put pressure on their finances.

A new Washington Post story follows Annie Morgan and her daughter Ava, who has Angelman syndrome. It offers a rare glimpse into what one family’s daily life can look like when the support they need falls short.

Families of people with disabilities already spend too much time piecing together services and filling gaps in a system that doesn’t provide enough support. They need more help to make community living work, not less.

Read Annie and Ava’s story: https://wapo.st/4g29uZ0

We are super excited for these leaders! 👏Yesterday, we kicked off the third and final phase of the Evolving Leaders Prog...
08/19/2026

We are super excited for these leaders! 👏

Yesterday, we kicked off the third and final phase of the Evolving Leaders Program (ELP) with the Center for Leadership and Innovation at UMBC Training Centers — bringing this incredible cohort back together for the next chapter of their leadership journey.

Over the past year, these professionals, representing local chapters of The Arc and supporting people with intellectual and developmental disabilities across Maryland, have grown together through a progression of Leading Self, Leading Others, and now, Leading Systems & Results.

Over the next three months, we have the honor of guiding the cohort through this final phase- building on what they’ve learned as they explore how they'll leverage their strengths, expand their impact, and lead more intentionally within the systems and organizations they serve.

Yesterday’s kickoff was filled with connection, reflection, great conversations, and plenty of energy: a great reminder that leadership development is as much about learning from one another as it is about learning new ideas.

Here’s to a powerful final phase and to seeing where these evolving leaders take it next!

08/19/2026

A virtual presentation on Wandering, Elopement, and Water Safety with PFA's own Shelly McLaughlin and Officer Laurie Reyes is being held on 8/20/26 from 6 pm - 7 pm. Click the link to register for this important webinar. https://bit.ly/4wT5HmP

Maryland Partners in Policymaking® is your opportunity to influence policy in communities that are important to you! Cla...
08/18/2026

Maryland Partners in Policymaking® is your opportunity to influence policy in communities that are important to you! Class of ‘19 Grad Angie shared, “Having a seat at the table where policy decisions are being made is critically important. Nothing is more powerful than being a part of Partners. You’ll have people on your side who also want to push up their sleeves and fight to make the world a better place.” Apply to be part of the 26-27 Partners Class by September 4th at https://thearcmd.org/partners/

Join the Maryland Disabilities Forum for a free Voter Education Workshop designed for individuals with disabilities. Lea...
08/17/2026

Join the Maryland Disabilities Forum for a free Voter Education Workshop designed for individuals with disabilities. Learn about accessible voting options, your rights as a voter, how voter guardianship works, and how to make sure your voice is heard at the polls. Register for August 27th in Hagerstown, September 10th in Millersville, or September 17th in Cumberland at https://www.maryland-disabilities-forum.org/events/

Maryland Partners in Policymaking® will guide you to become a stronger advocate! Current class member Alex shared, “Bein...
08/16/2026

Maryland Partners in Policymaking® will guide you to become a stronger advocate! Current class member Alex shared, “Being in Partners was eye-opening. I learned about lots of resources that are available to me that I didn't know about before." Learn more on an upcoming info call, check out session dates, and apply to join the 26-27 class at https://thearcmd.org/partners/

Become lifelong agents of change through Maryland Partners in Policymaking®! Applications for the year-long program are ...
08/14/2026

Become lifelong agents of change through Maryland Partners in Policymaking®! Applications for the year-long program are now open, and you are invited to learn more during an info call on August 17th at 6:30 PM. Register and learn more at https://thearcmd.org/partners/

Address

8601 Robert Fulton Drive, Ste 140
Columbia, MD
21046

Telephone

+14105719320

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