Disability Rights Maryland Breaking Barriers Awards Gala is September 26th

 

Breaking Barriers Awards Gala Honoree Disability Rights Maryland (DRM) is honored to announce that U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth will receive the Judith Heumann Champion of Justice Award at DRM's Breaking Barriers Awards Gala on September 26, 2024.   The Judith Heumann Champion of Justice Award recognizes individuals who are dedicated to creating a more inclusive and equitable society for people with disabilities, in honor of Judy Heumann, one of the most influential disability rights activists in history. Previous recipients include Wade Henderson, Congressman Jamie Raskin, and Rebecca Cokley.   Senator Duckworth has been a steadfast advocate for disability rights. During the 115th Congress, she played a critical role in preserving the Americans with Disabilities Act, protecting the hard-won rights that leaders like Judy Heumann helped secure. Her legislative accomplishments also include expanding Medicare coverage for durable medical equipment, making public transit stations accessible, advocating for students with disabilities, ensuring fair rates for communication between incarcerated individuals and their families, addressing maternal mortality among veterans, and securing resources for State Medicaid Home and Community-Based Services.   Her work aligns with DRM's mission to advance the legal rights of people with disabilities. Recently, DRM represented a woman whose wheelchair was lost for days by an airline, highlighting systemic issues that Senator Duckworth has addressed through her efforts to increase transparency and accountability in the airline industry.   "Senator Duckworth's advocacy for disability rights and her commitment to social justice have made a profound impact on the lives of countless individuals across the country. She carries forward the values and spirit that Judy Heumann infused into the disability rights and disability justice movement," said Meghan Marsh, Executive Director of DRM.   Senator Duckworth is not able to attend the gala in-person and will accept the award via recorded remarks. Come celebrate with us! September 26 at 6:00 PM American Visionary Art Museum Baltimore, MD Get Your Tickets Today   The Breaking Barriers Awards Gala is DRM's signature celebration where we honor visionary leaders who further the rights of people with disabilities. Funds raised go towards ensuring that Marylanders with disabilities, regardless of income, age, or race, have access to critical legal services.   THANK YOU TO OUR SPONSORS Purchase Gala Tickets Become a Sponsor Make a Contribution   DisabilityRightsMD.org

Senator Clarence K. Lam to Receive DRM's Public Policy Leadership Award

 

Disability Rights Maryland (DRM) will present its Public Policy Leadership Awards to Senator Dr. Clarence K. Lam, MD, MPH, FACPM, who represents Howard and Anne Arundel Counties in the General Assembly, at DRM’s 2024 Breaking Barriers Awards Gala. The gala will be held on Thursday, September 26, at the American Visionary Art Museum in Baltimore, Maryland. To register for DRM’s Gala, go to DisabilityRightsMD.org/Breaking-Barriers-Gala.

DRM’s Public Policy Leadership Award recognizes individuals who have shown outstanding dedication and creativity in shaping and advancing legislation that helps create a more inclusive and just world for people with disabilities.According to DRM: "Senator Lam showed people with disabilities that he is a true ally. His integrity, courage, and commitment to justice exemplifies the essence of this award."

Senator Lam was a strong advocate for people with disabilities during the 2024 legislative session. He spearheaded critical anti-discrimination bills and educated the Senate Finance Committee on the need to focus on disability rights in the policy making process. He also sponsored the Self-Directed Mental Health Care bill and opposed assisted outpatient treatment.  

Lam serves on the General Assembly's Senate Finance Committee and the Executive Nominations Committee. He chairs the Howard County Delegation, the Joint Committee on Audits and Evaluations, and the Joint Committee on Fair Practices and State Personnel Oversight. He is also a member of the Anne Arundel County Delegation and is the chair emeritus of the Asian American & Pacific Islander Legislative Caucus. He is currently the only physician and the only Asian American legislator in the Senate of Maryland. In October 2023, Senate President Ferguson appointed him to become the first Asian American chair or vice chair of a Senate committee. He previously served in the Maryland General Assembly as a state delegate from 2015-2019. Lam also serves on the faculty of the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health as an assistant professor in the Department of Health Policy and Management. He leads the school’s preventive medicine residency program as its program director and practices clinically as the medical director of occupational medicine at the Johns Hopkins Applied Physics Laboratory. He is board certified in preventive medicine and occupational medicine. 

Read the July 30, 2024 DRM announcement.

 

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