CELEBRATION OF THE AMERICAN WITH DISABILITIES ACT

July 27, 2021

Maryland Commission on Civil Rights Statement Celebrating The Anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act During this month of Americans with Disabilities awareness, the Board of the Maryland Commission on Civil Rights celebrates all persons with visible and invisible disabilities. Since its enactment on July 26, 1990, the Americans with Disabilities Act, as amended, and its state-based equivalent statutory protections have provided protections for disability access and inclusion, prohibiting discrimination on the basis of disability in employment, in public accommodation, in public services, in transportation, and in telecommunications. Former President George H. W. Bush called the Act “a new birth of freedom” for Americans who identify as having a disability. This landmark civil rights law has changed society from benevolence towards disability to acceptance. Yet copious work remains. Maryland protects people with disabilities both in Title 20, State Government Article, and in Sections 7-701 to 7-710, Human Services Title. While these laws provide protections, they must be enforced and awareness must continue to be raised to promote equitable access and acceptance of persons with disabilities. The recent litigation in Baltimore City, Maryland, asserting a lack of curb ramps and sidewalk maintenance in violation of federal accessibility requirements shows the ongoing need for diligence in promoting compliance with existing laws. According to the 2018 Disability Status Report, the most recent available, the prevalence of Marylanders with a disability was 11.2% overall, increasing from 5.2% in children between the ages of 5 to 15 to 43.8 percent for persons ages 75 and over. One area in which persons with disabilities experience discrimination includes seeking and obtaining accessible and equitable housing. On July 28, 2021, at 10:00 a.m. the Maryland Commission on Civil Rights will be hosting an event titled “Fair Housing: Know Your Rights” – a workshop to provide information on the laws under the Fair Housing Act, which provides protections that exist for all Marylanders. This event will include an emphasis on disabilities as it relates to housing. You can register for this free event here. Finally, the Commission looks forward to working the Maryland Commission on Disabilities, an advisory body, as well as with the Maryland Department of Disabilities to promote equitable housing and employment for Marylanders with disabilities.

Victim of Discrimination? Training & Partnerships

HOME      ABOUT MCCR      SERVICES      PUBLICATIONS      EVENTS      PRESS      CONTACT US

*****

Source: Maryland Commission on Civil Rights release, July 27, 2021.

 National HoUSed Campaign Call ABOUT EVICTION DATABASE

You Are Invited to Participate in a NLIHC National Call! View this email in your browser

Join Monday’s (July 26) national HoUSed campaign call from 2:30-4:00 pm ET. Per Olstad from the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) is invited to share a new ERA digital toolkit and soon-to-be released ERA program locator from CFPB. Madeline Youngren and Sarah Abdelhad, from the Legal Services Corporation, will talk about the recently launched Eviction Laws Database. We will discuss the findings of two new NLIHC research publications, The Road Ahead for Low-Income Renters and Direct-to-Tenant Payment Implementation: Increasing Flexibility and Equity in Emergency Rental Assistance Programs. We will also get the latest from NLIHC’s ERASE project; discuss how to advance the HoUSed priorities through the infrastructure package on Capitol Hill; hear updates from the field, and more.  The Agenda for Monday's Call Welcome and Updates Diane Yentel, NLIHC New ERA Digital Toolkit and Program Locator Per Olstad, Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (invited) Eviction Laws Database Madeline Youngren and Sarah Abdelhadi, Legal Services Corporation New NLIHC Reports: The Road Ahead for Low-Income Renters and Direct-to-Tenant Payment Implementation Dan Threet and Emma Foley, NLIHC Field Updates Amanda Korber, Legal Aid Society of the District of Columbia Bob Palmer, Housing Action Illinois End Rental Arrears to Stop Evictions (ERASE) Project Sarah Gallagher, NLIHC Advancing Long-Term Housing Solutions in Infrastructure Spending Bill: Updates and Next Steps Sarah Saadian, NLIHC Next Steps Register Here

The National Low Income Housing Coalition is dedicated solely to achieving socially just public policy that ensures people with the lowest incomes in the United States have affordable and decent homes. Copyright © 2021 National Low Income Housing Coalition, All rights reserved. You are receiving this email because you opted in to receive updates and emails from the National Low Income Housing Coalition. Our mailing address is: National Low Income Housing Coalition 1000 Vermont Avenue, NW Suite 500 Washington, DC 20005 ***** Source: National Low Income Housing Coalition email, July 23, 2021

 

MCCR's July & August Public Trainings

July 12, 2021

Register today and join MCCR for our free virtual trainings!

Sexual Harassment Prevention in Maryland-Basics Tuesday, July 27, 2021 10:00am to 1:00pm Register at mccr.events/SHPreventionJuly2021​ This introductory course for will provide information on sexual harassment definitions, legal protections, theories and scenarios. Fair Housing: Know Your Rights Wednesday, July 28, 2021 10am to 11:30am Register at mccr.events/FairHousingJuly2021 Please join us for this informative workshop from the Maryland Commission on Civil Rights about the laws under the Fair Housing Act which provide protections that exist for all Marylanders. One of our most fundamental rights is to live peaceably where we choose - where everyone has equal access to neighborhoods of opportunity. Fair housing is the right of all people to buy, sell, or rent residential property, and to live where they wish without discriminatory criteria. Having chosen a place to live, we are guaranteed the right to reside there peacefully, without regard to race, color, religion, sex, familial status, national origin, marital status, source of income, sexual orientation, gender identity or disability. There will be emphasis on current issues such as disability and sexual harassment as it pertains to housing.

Employment Discrimination Basics Thursday, July 29, 2021 10:00am to 1:00pm Register at mccr.events/EmploymentJuly2021 Employment Discrimination Basics Monday, August 9, 2021 10:00am to 1:00pm Register at mccr.events/EmploymentAug2021 Introductory class providing the definition of discrimination, theories of discrimination and best practices. Sexual Harassment Prevention in Maryland-Basics Wednesday, August 11, 2021 10:00am to 1:00pm Register at mccr.events/SHPreventionAug2021 This introductory course for will provide information on sexual harassment definitions, legal protections, theories and scenarios.

Victim of Discrimination? Training & Partnerships

HOME      ABOUT MCCR      SERVICES      PUBLICATIONS      EVENTS      PRESS      CONTACT US

RALLY IN SOLIDARITY WITH THE JEWISH PEOPLE

Learn more, and register for the rally. Antisemitism and all forms of hatred need to be stood up to and rejected. Let your voice be heard. Baltimore Jewish Council | baltjc.org STAY CONNECTED  ‌  ‌

Baltimore Jewish Council | 5750 Park Heights Avenue, Baltimore, MD 21215

Disability Rights Maryland

invites You to its 

2021 Breaking Barriers Virtual Awards Gala

Thursday, November 18, 2021 at 6:30 p.m.

The Breaking Barriers Awards Gala is Disability Rights Maryland’s (DRM) signature celebration where individuals, law firms and organizations that have demonstrated exceptional leadership, vision and achievement in safeguarding the legal rights of people with disabilities in Maryland are recognized and honored. Bringing together attorneys, corporate and foundation leaders, government representatives, and disability advocates, DRM’s gala shines a powerful spotlight on noble individuals who further the rights of Marylanders with disabilities. Funds raised at the Gala will directly support DRM and expand our capacity to provide critical legal assistance so that Marylanders with disabilities, regardless of income, age or race, can live full independent lives in the community.

The following awards will be presented:

(1) 2020 Judith Heumann Champion of Justice Award

    Established in the named of Judith E. Heumann, one of the most influential disability rights activists   in United States history, the Champion of Justice award recognizes her lifelong activism and pursuit  of equality and inclusion for people with disabilities.

Recipient: Wade Henderson, Former President & CEO, The Leadership Conference. 

    This award recognizes Wade Henderson for his lifetime of advocacy and passion for the civil rights    and the disability rights movements.

(2) 2020 Gayle Hafner Grassroots Advocacy Award

    Recipient: Floyd Hartley, Chairman, Consumers for Accessible Ride Services (CARS). This award recognizes CARS for its central role in the struggle for equal access to transportation for Marylanders with disabilities. Floyd Hartley will be presented the award on behalf of the full CARS team (Debbie Benaderet, Will Fields, Imani Graham, Floyd Hartley, Marlene Hendler, Linda Merkle, Danielle Phelps, May Robinson, Valerie Smith and Kim Stevens).

2020 Lorraine Sheehan Lifetime Achievement Award

    Recipient: Andrew D. Levy, Partner, Brown, Goldstein & Levy. This award honors Andrew D. Levy for his lifelong service to people with disabilities and his embodiment of the spirit and attributes that    the award celebrates.

Download sponsorship packet

https://disabilityrightsmd.org/2021-breaking-barriers-virtual-awards-gala/

www.DisabilityRightsMD.org

www.DisabilityRightsMD.org  ‌  ‌  ‌  ‌  ‌

*****

Source: Disability Rights Maryland, July 7, 2021.