Disability Rights Maryland's Breaking Barriers Awards Gala is September 26th

 

BREAKING BARRIERS AWARDS GALA September 26 at 6:00 PM American Visionary Art Museum Baltimore, MD Purchase Tickets SALES END FRIDAY 9/20   HERE'S HOW WE'RE CELEBRATING: Honoring Extraordinary Leaders Meet and congratulate individuals who have broken down barriers through legislation, pro bono service, litigation, self-advocacy, and more.  Enjoying Delicious Food and Drinks From crab dip to donuts and signature drinks, come enjoy food and drinks from the leading caterer, Zeffert & Gold.  Listening to Live Music Flute performance by DRM's very own attorney, Leslie Seid Margolis and her duet partner, Gayle Eline. Capturing Moments in the Photo Booth Leave with a keepsake of a fun time spent with new and old friends celebrating our collective work to create a more inclusive society.  Raising our Spirits Purchase a mystery bottle at the Spirit Sweep and you might go home with a bottle of fine wine or an everyday selection that's still delicious.  All in an Accessible, Premier Location Enjoy a night out at the American Visionary Art Musuem, a place representative of uplifting social justice and people that are marginalized.  COME CELEBRATE WITH US! DRM's annual fundraising event is all about celebrating people who are working to create a more inclusive and just society.  Purchase Tickets Sales end Friday 9/20 If the ticket price is a barrier to your attendance, please email ShannonM@DisabilityRightsMD.org or call 443-692-2491. We have a limited number of discounted or complimentary tickets available.

At 34th Anniversary of the ADA, Advocates Cite Some Progress for People with Disabilities

The ADA - signed into law on July 26, 1990 - was a significant achievement, guaranteeing civil rights protections to people with physical, mental, and emotional disabilities. For example, parking lots now have the familiar blue-and-white signs designating accessible parking spaces and where curbs and sidewalks have cuts and ramps to accommodate those in wheelchairs or with other mobility issues. Most new buildings are now designed with ADA-compliant doors and elevators and hallways and bathrooms. There are also required accommodations in classrooms and public spaces, nondiscrimination in employment, and more accessible housing.

On many metrics of ADA compliance, Maryland stands above other states. The law, which guarantees equal access for people with disabilities, has lived up to its promise in many ways in the state. Over 1.1 million adults in Maryland had a disability of some kind - almost 25% of Marylanders in 2022, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Some 16% had disabilities in 2021.

Maryland's major remaining disability-related problems are in the delivery of needed services. Advocates for people with disabilities believe that there has definitely been progress since the ADA's passage, but see the need for some  improvements. The executive director of the Arc Maryland said acceptance of people with disabilities has increased and the negative stigma has declined, but not consistently. She believes that Maryland “has a reputation of treating people with respect and having services” to help people with disabilities, factors that draw families to the state. A Disability Rights Maryland spokesperson said “It’s possible that more people are comfortable with acknowledging or self-identifying as a person with a disability.”

Maryland was third best for its health care among the 50 states and Washington, D.C., and eighth best overall for someone with a disability in the April 2024 report from Policygenius, an insurance broker organization, which rated the best states for living with a disability. With major medical centers in the region, such as the Kennedy Krieger Institute in Baltimore, Maryland has become a destination. Maryland also is a leader in equal pay for people with disabilities, after the General Assembly in 2016 phased out 14(c) certificates, which let employers to pay subminimum wage to people with disabilities. As of 2020, employers must pay the same minimum wage to workers with disabilities and those without.

Maryland Governor Wes Moore (D) recently signed an executive order requiring state agencies to use “plain language,” in documents and on websites. This will especially benefit persons with disabilities, who sometimes have trouble accessing state websites to receive available support and services. The transition to plain language on all state documents and sites probably will not happen until early 2025, according to Information Technology Secretary Katie Savage.

Maryland has other problems that face people with disabilities. In 2023, the U.S. Attorney’s Office notified the Maryland Transit Administration that its paratransit service - MobilityLink - was not in compliance with ADA protections. The major issue is long delays for service.

Also, people with disabilities are “still an underserved population” because there are waitlists to receive services and administrative turnaround time for services, as well as many restrictions and limitations that mean years of waiting to access services.

Read the July 26, 2024 Maryland Matters article.

Maryland Attorney General Establishes Online Portal To Report Hate Crimes

The new portal has been established in response to the continued increase in hate crimes and bias incidents in Maryland, according to Attorney General Anthony Brown. The Maryland Attorney General's Office recently launched a new online portal residents can use to report hate crimes and bias incidents. According to Brown, 465 hate crimes and hate bias incidents were reported in 2022 compared to 388 reports in 2021. This is over double those reported 10 years ago.

According to Brown, "For too long, hate crimes have been underreported and underestimated, but victims don’t have to suffer in silence. I am listening. This new portal is a safe place to speak up. It will help us all understand how widespread these incidents are, so we can better address them."

The portal's reporting form will be used to track hate crimes and bias incidents in Maryland and to help identify trends. The information collected through the portal will also help officials better respond to hate crimes in the state. All reports can be submitted anonymously. Residents should use the portal only after reporting the incident to the police. The portal also contains information to help Marylanders identify hate crimes and resources for victims. Whether victim or bystander, residents are urged to report the hate crime or bias incident.

The Attorney General's Office has released a video to show residents how to use the portal. The portal can be accessed at nohomeforhate.md.gov.

Read the June 14, 2024 Baltimore Patch article.