Maryland
This bill requires the state's Community and Technical Education (CTE) Committee to submit a report each year that includes an assessment of the state of CTE within the state, disaggregated by disability status (among other factors).
This bill updates Maryland's Blueprint for the Future, which is designed to transform the state's systems to eliminate achievement and opportunity gaps for students with disabilities (among other objectives). A component of the Blueprint is providing additional supports and services to certain students (including students with disabilities) to stay on track for college and career readiness.
This bill phases out subminimum wage for people with disabilities through a multi-stakeholder process.
This bill: 1. Directs the Developmental Disabilities Administration and the Department of Disabilities, in partnership with other state agencies, to develop and implement a plan to eliminate subminimum wage employment; 2. Requires Resource Coordinators for individuals who are being paid less than minimum wage to develop a plan that addresses how community integration and employment will be accomplished, including by addressing barriers (such as transportation) to accessing funding and resources; and 3. Requires employers to inform any new employees who are employed at less than minimum wage about opportunities to obtain competitive integrated employment.
This bill requires the Superintendent for the Juvenile Services Education Program to submit a report to the Governor on the educational outcomes of students at all juvenile residential facilities, which will be disaggregated by disability status.
This bill establishes an Adult High School Pilot Program, to establish an alternative method for adults (age 21 and older) who did not graduate from high school to earn a high school diploma, postsecondary education credits and industry-recognized certification. If requires applicants looking to establish a pilot program to indicate how they will work with students with disabilities, and requires pilot programs to provide accommodations to students with disabilities.
This bill establishes a program to award competitive grants to institutions of higher education to develop and implement programs that provide inclusive higher education opportunities for students with intellectual and developmental disabilities.
This 12-week course provides leadership development to youth with developmental disabilities from Ethiopian communities in Montgomery County and the surrounding metropolitan area. The 300 Leaders curriculum will help youth develop the social and leadership skills needed for increased community engagement and future employment.
Operating Entity: Tisnat Institute
Entity Type: Non-Profit / Community Organization
This program enables individuals with disabilities, service providers and others to learn about, access, and acquire assistive technology needed for education, employment, and community living. Services include device demonstrations, reutilization, loans, and financing.
Operating Entity: Maryland Department of Disabilities, Maryland Technology Assistance Program
Entity Type: State Agency / Office
This program provides consultation and information for those receiving disability benefits, who need help understanding eligibility and the impact work may have on their benefits.
Operating Entity: Maryland Department of Education, Division of Rehabilitation Services
Entity Type: State Agency / Office
The Business Enterprise Program helps people who are blind become food service or vending operators.
Operating Entity: Maryland Department of Education, Division of Rehabilitation Services
Entity Type: State Agency / Office
These programs help individuals with disabilities develop the entry-level skills they need for jobs in a range of fields, and include supports, accommodations, and individualized instruction. There are career training programs in the automotive, childcare, retail, pharmacy, food service, animal, and warehouse industries, among others.
Operating Entity: Maryland Department of Education, Division of Rehabilitation Services
Entity Type: State Agency / Office
CAP helps individuals who experience problems when applying for or receiving vocational rehabilitation or independent living services. This includes advising and informing individuals of their rights and providing advocacy services.
Operating Entity: Maryland Department of Education, Division of Rehabilitation Services
Entity Type: State Agency / Office
This program provides technical assistance, training, and other services to help improve outcomes for children who are deaf-blind in Maryland and DC. This includes working with state and local educational agencies to ensure that students graduate from high school ready for college and a career. It is a collaboration between the Maryland State Department of Education and the University of Maryland, College Park.
Operating Entity: --
Entity Type: Multi-Stakeholder Project
This program provides information and assistance to individuals with disabilities as they navigate the human services system so they can advocate for themselves. The program provides information around mental health, the ADA, employment, and more.
Operating Entity: Maryland Department of Disabilities
Entity Type: State Agency / Office
This program provides a variety of services to graduates of Workforce and Technology Center training programs and other individuals with disabilities. Services include job search assistance, cover letter and resume development, interviewing skills preparation, career search skills, business etiquette training, networking and job development, and education on how to disclose disabilities and request accommodations. ​
Operating Entity: Maryland Department of Education, Division of Rehabilitation Services
Entity Type: State Agency / Office
This program funds supported employment and other day services for eligible graduating students who otherwise may not have received Developmental Disabilities Administration (DDA) services. This program earmarks funds in the DDA budget for eligible students leaving school, regardless of the severity of their situation and their relative need for immediate services.
Operating Entity: Maryland Department of Health, Developmental Disabilities Administration
Entity Type: State Agency / Office
This program provides a range of independent living services to people with disabilities at Centers for Independent Living across the state. Services include help connecting to local services, assistance with job searches, local transit skills training, assistive technology help, peer mentoring support, assistance with school-to-career transitions, self-advocacy help, and more.
Operating Entity: --
Entity Type: Multi-Stakeholder Project
IATC is a partnership of state and local government agencies, educators, family members and advocates that work together to improve policies and practices that affect Maryland students with disabilities preparing to transition from high school to adult services, college, employment, and independent living. It meets at least four times a year and regularly creates and reviews an Interagency State Plan for Transitioning Youth with Disabilities.
Operating Entity: --
Entity Type: Multi-Stakeholder Project
This program helps develop leadership skills among parents of children with disabilities and special health care needs. It includes workshops, webinars, experiential learning, coaching, mentoring, and independent study. It is designed to help parents broaden their role within their communities as a resource, support group leader, trainer, advocate, and more.
Operating Entity: The Parents' Place of Maryland
Entity Type: Non-Profit / Community Organization
This program enables eligible individuals with disabilities to save money in a tax-exempt account that may be used for qualified disability expenses while keeping their eligibility for federally-funded, means-tested public benefits. Eligible expenses include education, employment training and support, and assistive technology.
Operating Entity: Sumday Administration, LLC
Entity Type: Other
This program helps individuals with disabilities and their families access assistive technology (AT) devices and services. This includes AT demonstrations, consultations, short-term device loans, a high-tech AT Reuse Center, trainings, webinars, a low-interest financial loan program, and one-on-one information and referral.
Operating Entity: Maryland Department of Disabilities
Entity Type: State Agency / Office
MD-YLF is a week-long leadership program open to students with disabilities entering their final two years of high school. Activities take place on a college campus and help students gain leadership skills, plan for their careers, and learn about assistive technology and community supports.
Operating Entity: Independence Now
Entity Type: Non-Profit / Community Organization
This program supports Parent Training and Information Centers and Community Parent Resource Centers in 12 eastern states plus DC and two territories. Services include one-to-one consultations, trainings and webinars, peer-to-peer mentoring, site visits, non-profit management tools, and more.
Operating Entity: Navigating Excellence Parent Center Assistance & Collaboration Team (NE-PACT)
Entity Type: Non-Profit / Community Organization
This program provides a variety of direct services for children and youth with disabilities, families, professionals, and other organizations that support them. This includes helping parents participate effectively in their children’s education and development and partnering with professionals and policymakers to improve outcomes for children with disabilities.
Operating Entity: The Parents' Place of Maryland
Entity Type: Non-Profit / Community Organization
This program offers parent to parent support as a core resource for families with children who have a special health care need, disability, or mental health concern. Through a one-to-one “match,” experienced support parents provide emotional support to families and assist them in finding information and resources.
Operating Entity: The Arc Maryland
Entity Type: Non-Profit / Community Organization
POG is a group of advocates that educate people with developmental disabilities through leadership trainings and mentoring opportunities. POG also provides support and training to local self-advocacy groups. It is a partnership between the Maryland Developmental Disabilities Council and the Maryland Center for Developmental Disabilities at Kennedy Krieger Institute.
Operating Entity: --
Entity Type: Multi-Stakeholder Project
These programs offer students with intellectual disabilities an opportunity to take college classes, engage in career development and independent living activities, and participate in the social life of a college campus.
Operating Entity: --
Entity Type: Multi-Stakeholder Project
Pre-ETS assist students with disabilities in identifying career interests and developing skills to be successful in the workplace. This includes five required activities: job exploration counseling, work-based learning experiences, workplace readiness training, counseling on comprehensive transition or postsecondary educational programs, and instruction in self-advocacy.
Operating Entity: --
Entity Type: Multi-Stakeholder Project
Project SEARCH is a one-year transition-to-work program for students with significant disabilities that includes classroom instruction, career exploration, and internship rotations. It is a collaboration between local businesses, state agencies, local school systems, and other entities, and is offered at several locations.
Operating Entity: --
Entity Type: Multi-Stakeholder Project
This program protects individuals with disabilities by empowering them and advocating on their behalf. This includes providing information and referrals, providing training and technical assistance to service providers, and conducting self-advocacy training.
Operating Entity: Disability Rights Maryland
Entity Type: Non-Profit / Community Organization
This program helps students with disabilities prepare for the future, including by helping students identify their skills and abilities; coordinating Pre-Employment Transition Services, including summer employment and internships; referring students to programs at the Workforce & Technology Center; supporting college or technical school training; and helping students find a job that matches their strengths and interests.
Operating Entity: Maryland Department of Education, Division of Rehabilitation Services
Entity Type: State Agency / Office
This program helps individuals with mental health conditions maintain work, by providing on-going support after they begin working (such as training, supervision, and help with adjustment to the work environment). It includes Evidence-Based Supported Employment, which is rooted in research, and Traditional Supported Employment.
Operating Entity: Maryland Department of Education, Division of Rehabilitation Services
Entity Type: State Agency / Office
This Parent Technical Assistance Center serves Maryland's federally-funded Parent Centers to enhance their capacity to provide effective services for families of children with special needs, including navigate the special education system and provide you with the information and tools you need to be an informed and active participant in your child’s education
Operating Entity: Navigating Excellence Parent Center Assistance & Collaboration Team (NE-PACT)
Entity Type: Non-Profit / Community Organization
This program help out-of-school and in-school youth with one or more barriers to employment (including having a disability) prepare for and secure employment and postsecondary education opportunities. Services include tutoring; work experiences; occupational skills training; leadership development opportunities; and postsecondary education and training preparation activities.
Operating Entity: --
Entity Type: Multi-Stakeholder Project
This program helps individuals with disabilities who are receiving Social Security Disability benefits make informed choices about work and make a successful transition to self-sufficiency.
Operating Entity: Independence Now, Maryland Work Incentives Network
Entity Type: Non-Profit / Community Organization
This two-part program helps individuals with disabilities who have little or no work experience, or who have been out of the workforce for an extended period of time, develop skills needed to be successful in the workplace. The first six-week course helps individuals prepare for employment through videos, lectures, worksite tours, and job shadowing experiences, while the second program includes real-world work experience at community worksites.
Operating Entity: Maryland Department of Education, Division of Rehabilitation Services
Entity Type: State Agency / Office
The Maryland Department of Education released a document which outlines IEP provision and additional funding available for students with disabilities to support continuity of learning in a virtual and/or distance learning environment.
Operating Entity: Maryland Department of Education
This Frequently Asked Questions gives a plethora of American Sign Language and closed-captioned videos on how COVID-19 relates to the deaf and hard of hearing community. The Mental Health subsection contains multiple videos on the topic.
Operating Entity: The Governor's Office of the Deaf and Hard of Hearing
Topic(s): Mental Health
This webinar provides an overview of all COVID-19 technical assistance for schools, with a section focusing specifically on Social and Emotional Needs of Returning Students.
Operating Entity: Maryland Department of Health, Maryland State Department of Education
Topic(s): Mental Health
This program addresses mental health as related to COVID-19. The program includes virtual support groups, webinars and narrated COVID experiences/stories.
Operating Entity: Maryland Department of Health (CovidCONNECT)
Topic(s): Mental Health
This Frequently Asked Questions discusses the mental health challenges of people with intellectual and developmental disabilities as it relates to COVID-19, including warning signs of stress, strategies and additional resources.
Operating Entity: Maryland Department of Health Developmental Disabilities Administration
Topic(s): Mental Health
Although the webpage has several Frequently Asked Questions on COVID-19, this one links specifically to its impact on mental health. It addresses a general audience first; then parents of young children, adolescents and young adults; health care workers; older adults; and adults with disabilities.
Operating Entity: Maryland Department of Health (covidLINK)
Topic(s): Mental Health
This webpage provides some information on post-COVID and COVID treatment options.
Operating Entity: Montgomery County Government
Topic(s): Long-COVID
This webpage provides a list of resources on how COVID-19 relates to developmental disabilities.
Operating Entity: Maryland Department of Health Developmental Disabilities Administration
Topic(s): Mental Health
This webpage provides basic information on Long-COVID (and a link to a study) as well as explaining its status as a disability under the Americans with Disabilities Act, Section 504, and other disability-related legislation (providing text-embedded links to other resources). 
Operating Entity: Kennedy Kreiger Institute
Topic(s): Long-COVID
This webpage goes into great detail on the different forms of post-COVID and provides some information on what to do if you recognize the symptoms.
Operating Entity: Johns Hopkins Medicine
Topic(s): Long-COVID
This webpage explains Long-COVID and its symptoms, explains how it affects children and provides general information on protecting against it as well as what to do if one has it.
Operating Entity: University of Maryland Medical System
Topic(s): Long-COVID
This webpage explains Long-COVID and its symptoms.
Operating Entity: Maryland Department of Health
Topic(s): Long-COVID
This presentation looks at youth mental health in the school system and explicitly connects it to COVID, formulating a mental health response team plan.
Operating Entity: Maryland State Department of Education
Topic(s): Mental Health
This document includes frequently asked questions and resources for young adults with mental illness. It also lists various resources for adolescents dealing with mental health related concerns due to COVID-19, as well as assistance for families of those dealing with mental health difficulties.
Operating Entity: Maryland Department of Health
Topic(s): Mental Health
This webinar addresses the pandemic's impact on mental health in great detail. It explains COVID's relationship with trauma, provides advice from professionals and links to other resources.
Operating Entity: Maryland State Department of Education, Division of Rehabilitation Services
Topic(s): Mental Health
These are guidance documents that support the continuity of learning for Deaf, Hard-of-Hearing, Blind, Low-vision, and Deafblind Students during school closures.
Operating Entity: Maryland Department of Education
This is a document that outlines guidance for a continuation of learning for students with disabilities and also includes frequently asked questions. This document emphasizes providing necessary technology to students with disabilities and adjusting progress monitoring of students with disabilities. It generally discusses processes by which schools can create a least restrictive environment for students with disabilities.
Operating Entity: Maryland Department of Education
These guidance documents address concerns and discuss online learning for students with disabilities during the COVID-19 pandemic. They provide resources and information on students with disabilities facing increased risk during the COVID-19 pandemic, both due to limited educational opportunities and serious health complications. Additionally, they require schools to provide equitable instruction to students with disabilities, adjusting IEP plans as needed.
Operating Entity: Maryland Department of Education
This guide goes into great detail on the mental health effects of COVID-19, particularly as it relates to youth with disabilities. It explains how a pandemic may create challenges with emotional well-being, provides guidance and resources and the particulars of addressing mental health such as populations at risk. It also references several other government programs that can assist in these struggles.
Operating Entity: Maryland State Department of Education
Topic(s): Mental Health
This PowerPoint addresses COVID-19's impact on mental health, focusing on its role as acute or chronic trauma and puts forward a trauma-informed approach to mental health.
Operating Entity: Maryland State Department of Education, Division of Rehabilitation Services
Topic(s): Mental Health
This video explains some basic information about Long-COVID (including symptoms and long-term health risks).
Operating Entity: Anne Arundel County Department of Health
Topic(s): Long-COVID