Maryland Developmental Disabilities Council

@mdddcouncil.bsky.social

195 Followers 22 Following

We create change to make it possible for people with developmental disabilities to live the lives they want with the support they need.

A graphic with many pictures of people with DD and their families. Text reads: Join the ranks of over 500 Partners in Policymaking graduates who are creating, working towards, and achieving a vision of shared values about people with disabilities. At the bottom is The Arc Maryland logo, DD Council logo, People on the Go logo, and a disclaimer about the Council funding this program.
Council staff, state leaders, and Governor Wes Moore pose for a picture with awardees Rep. Steny Hoyer, Sharon Maneki, Cathy Raggio, and Eric Carpenter-Grantham.
A graphic with red text on a gray background. The text says "Statement on Education Changes at the Federal Level" Maryland DD Council logo
A graphic with pictures of people with disabilities and the disability pride ribbon. Text reads: July is Disability Pride Month The Council's logo is at the bottom.
Youth Leadership Forum participants, staff, and partners pose for a group picture. They are in a courtyard surrounded by green trees and brick buildings.
A graphic with pictures of people with developmental disabilities. Text reads: 27 Years of Olmstead The Olmstead Supreme Court decision has shaped conversations about disability rights, community living, and access to services and supports.
Council Executive Director Rachel London speaks during a panel discussion. She is sitting at a table at the front of the room. Other people are sitting on either side of her.
The cover of the Council's 2025 Annual Report. Four pictures of people with developmental disabilities are on the front, with a red background around them. Text at the bottom reads: Together | Maryland Developmental Disabilities Council | Live, Learn, Work, and Play | 2025 Highlights
Governor Wes Moore sits at a desk signing a bill. He is surrounded by state leaders. A group of people is standing behind him. The screen in front of the desk reads HB 1015, April 28, 2026
A crowd of people gathered together in a courtyard surrounded by brick buildings. The people are holding up signs that oppose the DDA budget cuts. Text at the bottom says: 2026 Legislative Overview Maryland DD Council logo
A photo of the Maryland State House and surrounding buildings. Text at the bottom of the image reads: Legislative Reports April 3 Maryland DD Council logo
Tell us what you think about our next State Plan! We want your feedback on our draft goals and objectives. Comments are open until May 15. Learn more at md-council.org. Maryland DD Council logo Photos of Marylanders with developmental disabilities.
A woman with brown hair wearing a brown shirt. She is standing under a tree smiling. Maryland DD Council logo We're Here: Then, Now, Always. NACDD logo
An image of spring tree blossoms with a blue sky in the background. Text: Legislative Reports | March 27 Maryland DD Council logo
An image of a black man smiling. He is wearing a striped shirt. Maryland DD Council logo We're Here Then, Now, Always NACDD logo
A picture of a brick pathway with trees on either side. Maryland flags are hanging from lampposts on the sides of the walkway. Text reads: Legislative Reports, March 23 Maryland DD Council logo
A man stands in front of the door to the Maryland House of Delegates Appropriations Committee. He is a white man with short brown hair and glasses. His wearing a red jacket and holding a white cane. Maryland DD Council logo We're Here Then, Now, Always NACDD logo
A Maryland flag waving in the wind. The trees behind the flag are bare and the skies are gray. Old brick buildings are in the distance.
A crowd of people stand in front of legislative buildings in Annapolis. Many people are wearing red. Most have rain coats or umbrellas. Some are holding signs that say "We Can't Go Back, We Won't Go Back"
The Maryland State House at night, with a Maryland flag flying in the foreground. Text at the bottom reads: Legislative Reports, March 6 Maryland DD Council logo
​A graphic that reads We Can't Go Back, We Won't Go Back in large letters. Rally to Save DD Ser​vices March 12th 12 to 1 pm Lawyers Mall Wear Red Maryland DD Coalition logo
Campaign graphic reading “We’re Here. Then, Now, Always.” featuring a historic black-and-white photo of disability rights activists at the U.S. Capitol and color photos of people with developmental disabilities advocating and smiling in community settings.
A proclamation from Governor Wes Moore and his administration proclaiming March 2026 as Developmental Disabilities Awareness Month
An image of the Maryland House of Delegates on a sunny day. It is a brick building with white columns. A graphic at the bottom reads: Legislative Reports, February 27 Maryland DD Council logo
An image of a brick building with a Maryland flag hanging off the side. Text at the bottom reads: Legislative Reports: February 20 Maryland DD Council logo
Senator Guy Guzzone speaks during DD Day. He is a tall man wearing a gray suit.
A group of people stands together. They are holding signs that say "These Are Our Lives" and "Protect Maryland Values: our lives, our community, our civil rights"
Senator Cory McCray speaks on stage during DD Day. He is wearing a gray suit. The banner behind him says "DD Day at the Legislature: These Are Our Lives" Members of the DD Coalition are sitting behind him on stage. They are smiling.
A graphic with a red background and red and white text. The Maryland DD Coalition logo is at the top. Text reads: DD Day Rally 2/18/26 at 11:15 am These Are Our Lives: Our Voices, Our Community Lawyers Mall 100 State Circle, Annapolis
An image of the Maryland State House surrounded by snow. Text at the bottom of the image reads: Legislative Reports, February 6 DD Council logo
A picture of Annapolis in the snow from above. Text at the bottom reads: Legislative Reports: January 30 Maryland DD Council logo
An image of the Maryland State House in winter. Text at the bottom of the image reads: Legislative Reports, January 23 Maryland DD Council logo
A graphic describing how the Council creates policy change. There are three boxes, with arrows connecting them from left to right. Box 1: How We Create Change for People with Developmental Disabilities - We Lead - We Partner - We Advise - We Advocate - We Inform - We Empower - We Educate - We Find Solutions Box 2: 2026 Public Policy Priorities - Strong civil rights and equal opportunities for all - Housing for all - Community supports and services that work for people - Employment that works - Information and resources that are accessible - Supported Decision Making - Training and awareness - Access to healthcare - Effective and inclusive education for students of all ages - Inclusive recreation - Access to transportation - people with disabilities are leaders and advocates Box 3: Public Policy Vision - People with and without disabilities in Maryland live, learn, work, and play together.
Maryland Developmental Disabilities Coalition Presents Developmental Disabilities Day at the Legislature Wednesday, February 18, 2026 8 to 11 am Graduate by Hilton Annapolis Also Streaming on Facebook Register Today! A graphic of three people, one in a wheelchair, in front of the State House. The graphic uses the Maryland flag colors: red, white, black, and gold.
2025 By the Numbers Maryland Developmental Disabilities Council 12,434 people engaged with Council projects 33 committees and councils served on to improve policies programs, and practices 39 laws, policies, and programs created or improved 188 legislators educated about issues related to developmental disabilities 27,626 people got resources and information from the Council 4,731 people used the new Playgrounds for All website to find playgrounds where everyone feels welcome
Three women and a man stand together. They are holding signs for an escape room. They are standing in front of a painting of palm trees.
Together We're Better The Arc Maryland logo Maryland Department of Disabilities logo Maryland DD Council logo Maryland State Department of Education logo
Inclusive Schools Week Children First: Building a Stronger Tomorrow A cartoon image of children with and without disabilities playing together.
Maryland Works and Maryland Department of Disabilities Monthly Webinar Series Are you a federal worker with a disability seeking employment? December 10, 2025 4-5 pm An image of two people looking at a computer screen. One of them is in a wheelchair.
A room full of people watch and listen to a presentation. The screen at the front of the room reads "Let's Make Schools Inclusive for All Children"
The Council is now funding Small Grants Learn more and apply! Maryland DD Council logo Three photos from small grants the Council has funded in the past. These photos feature people with and without disabilities at various trainings and events.
A group of people with and without disabilities. Some are standing and some are seated. Some of them are holding signs that say Partners in Policymaking.
Protecting Your Benefits During the SNAP Suspension What to Know About Accepting Gifts An image of a food basket in the middle of a grocery store aisle NACDD logo and Maryland DD Cou​ncil logo
These cuts affect key offices that make sure people with disabilities get the education, mental health support, and community services they are entitled to under the law.
Honoring the Contributions of Americans with Disabilities to the Workforce and National Progress through UCEDDs. Text is in red and blue, with red white and blue stripes below. The background is white with script writing at the top.
Celebrating Value and Talent National Disability Employment Awareness Month Office of Disability Employment Policy, US Department of Labor Circular images of people in the workplace with fireworks in the background. The image background is dark blue.
​Join the Council! We are looking for people with developmental disabilities to help us create change. Apply today! DD Council logo and two pictures of Council members.
A mother holds her small child, while her other child claps while coming down the slide. A wheelchair and walker are next to the slide. Below the photo, text reads: Maryland needs more families where ALL children and their families can play.
A woman with blonde hair, glasses, and a light blue jacket. She is smiling.
The cover of the Where is Home? publication. Where is Home? 10 Stories About What Home Means in large text. A drawing of a city skyline with different types of houses and buildings is at the bottom of the image.
A proclamation from Governor Wes Moore recognizing Direct Support Professionals Week.
A graphic with pictures of people with DD and their family members who graduated from Partners in Policymaking. Text: Join the ranks of over 500 Partners in Policymaking graduates around Maryland who are long-term agents of change in the community. Through 12 sessions in 2025 and 2026, Partners will learn about systems change - creating, working towards, and achieving a vision of shared values about people with disabilities! Apply by October 6th TheArcMD.org/Partners The Arc Maryland logo DD Council Logo People on the Go logo This project is supported by the Administration for Community Living (ACL), U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) as part of a financial assistance award totaling $1,262,502 with 100% funding by ACL/HHS. The contents are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily represent the official views of, nor an endorsement, by ACL/HHS, or the U.S. Government.
The Arc Maryland Executive Director Ande Kolp presents a Partners graduate with a plaque.
NextGen Synergy and the Maryland DD Coalition Invite You To: What’s Next: A National Conversation on the Future of IDD and Mental Health Supports Date: September 17, 2025 | Time: 3:00 PM – 4:30 PM (ET) For accommodation needs, please contact nick.b@nextgenidd.com NextGen Synergy, in partnership with the Maryland DD Coalition, invites you to an inspiring national conversation about the future of support for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD) and co-occurring mental health conditions. This event is for everyone across the country—not just people in Maryland. We’ll celebrate the progress we’ve made, talk about new opportunities, ideas, and resources, and share helpful tips for building strong, inclusive communities. Thank you to our Language Access Sponsor: Kibu We are proud to recognize Kibu as the official language access sponsor for this National Conversation. Kibu is a purpose-built digital platform designed to meet the needs of the IDD services community. Their accessible, on-demand video library supports life skills, job readiness, health and wellness, and more. Kibu also offers tools that simplify documentation, track progress, and strengthen communication. With a deep commitment to inclusion and equity, Kibu helps ensure that everyone can engage fully. We thank them for making this event more accessible and for their leadership in promoting universal access. Learn more at kibu.com
Know Your Rights A Guide to Understanding and Protecting Your Rights A joint project produced by the Maryland Commission on Civil Rights and the Maryland Office of the Attorney General Civil Rights Division. Maryland Commission on Civil Rights logo Maryland Office of the Attorney General logo
MDOD Secretary Carol Beatty, Deputy Secretary Anne Blackfield, Disability Culture and Achievement Awardee Liz Weintraub, and Council Executive Director Rachel London pose for a photo.
Maryland Attorney General Anthony Brown speaks. He is standing at a podium. People are sitting behind him.
Disability Pride Month July 2025 The disability pride banner is in the top right corner Pictures of people with developmental disabilities smiling on the left Maryland Developmental Disabilities Council logo at the bottom right
DDA Operated Medicaid Waiver Amendments Public comments are open until July 8, 2025
A group of people standing together during DD Day 2025.