HOW MARYLAND 2024 LEGISLATIVE SESSION BEGINS TODAY, MDDDC TOP PRIORITY ISSUES, AUTISM TOOL KIT .... (1303 hits)
For Immediate Release From Maryland Developmental Disability Council!
Happy New Year! The Maryland legislative session begins tomorrow, January 10, in Annapolis. Watch the video to learn more about session.
2024 Public Policy Priorities
The Council works to improve laws, policies, programs, and services. We work with many people to create the change we want. This includes the governor, state government, and state legislators. There are many issues that affect people with developmental disabilities. Each year the Council picks the top issues we focus on:
CIVIL RIGHTS
• Advocate for laws and policies that ensure people with developmental disabilities have the same rights as other Marylanders.
COMMUNITY SUPPORTS
• Increase access to formal and informal supports for people with developmental disabilities and their families. Informal supports are provided by family, friends, and the community. Formal supports are provided by paid professionals.
• Improve services and supports for people with developmental disabilities. Support policies that increase opportunities for people to live, work, and meaningfully engage in their communities.
• Advocate for a good plan and funding to reduce the Developmental Disabilities Administration’s (DDA) waiting list for community services.
• Ensure that DDA policies, practices, and funding support all transitioning youth to get a job, go to college, and participate in their communities after school.
Transitioning youth are young adults with developmental disabilities who need support to get a job, go to college, and participate in their communities.
• Advocate for service provider rates that ensure high-quality supports.
• Advocate for a good plan and funding to improve the Autism Waiver and reduce the wait for services.
• Promote awareness about the services and supports available to military and veteran families who have family members with developmental disabilities.
CRIMINAL JUSTICE
• Advocate for policies and practices in jails and prisons so they better support people with developmental disabilities.
•Support efforts that increase what professionals in the criminal justice system know and understand about people with developmental disabilities.
DIVERSITY
• Support efforts that reach diverse and underserved people and regions of the state.
• Make sure information and resources are accessible. This includes plain language, different languages, large print, and braille.
EARLY CHILDHOOD EDUCATION
• Increase access to early childhood education where children with and without disabilities can learn and play together so all children are ready for school.
EDUCATION
• Promote policies that improve outcomes for students with disabilities. This means they have access to the general education curriculum, appropriate assessments, and the services and supports they need to succeed.
• Advocate for school policies and practices that help staff understand and respond
The Council has resources to help you understand how laws are made in Maryland. These resources will help you advocate for issues you think are important. Click below to learn more about the Maryland General Assembly and how they work, how a bill becomes a law, and how to contact your legislators.
These resources will help you understand how laws are made in Maryland. They will help you advocate for issues you think are important.
Maryland General Assembly Maryland Legislative Process: How a Bill Becomes Law Explanation of Floor Motions & Legislative Actions How to Contact Your Maryland Legislators This resource will help you reach your U.S. Senators and Representatives in Congress.
The Council educates legislators about how new laws they are considering will affect people with developmental disabilities and their families. The new laws legislators consider passing are called bills. We advocate for bills that will improve the lives of people with developmental disabilities.
Every year the Council co-sponsors Developmental Disabilities Day (DD Day) at the Legislature. We do this with the Developmental Disabilities Coalition. Hundreds of people with developmental disabilities, family members, advocates, and service providers come together in Annapolis. Together we educate legislators about issues that are important to people with developmental disabilities and their families. This is a great way to meet your legislators and advocate about the issues important to you.
Join us at this year’s DD Day at the Legislature on
Wednesday, February 21, 2024 at The Graduate Hotel in Annapolis!
Like starting a new chapter in a book, a new year brings anticipation of what we can expect. Starting the new year with resolutions sets us up for success and gives us a jumpstart on achieving our goals, whether those goals are to eat healthier, help an autistic loved one get a driver’s license, or learn a new skill, like doing the laundry or playing the piano.
This month’s Resource Spotlight identifies resources to help autistic teens and young adults define, plan, implement, update, and achieve personal goals.
Toolkits Supporting Teens and Young Adults on the Autism Spectrum: Setting and Pursuing Self-Determined Goals
Developed and written by T A Meridian McDonald, Ph.D., and Beth Malow, M.D., M.S., with input from Julie Lounds Taylor, Ph.D., Whitney Loring, Psy.D., and Ivy Chen, B.A., at the Vanderbilt Kennedy Center
As noted at the beginning of the toolkit, it was designed to help parents and caregivers, teachers, siblings, service providers and others who support teens and young adults on the autism spectrum as they set and pursue self-determined goals. Each step in the goal setting and achievement process has a section in the toolkit:
Brainstorm (person-centered) ideas for goals. Choose several goals. Break goals into smaller subgoals. Take action. Track progress. Revise goals.
