Maryland Disabilities Forum
OUR SIX PRINCIPLES
Preamble: The Maryland Disabilities Forum presents the following six (6) principles as a basis for discussion, decision making and action; informing systems change, policy setting and provision of services and supports for Marylanders with disabilities. Each principle is important in its own right, yet the principles are inter-related and must be addressed on a coordinated basis in order to achieve the most effective outcomes. Addressing the following six principles will provide a basis for ensuring that Maryland has a well educated, productive, working, tax paying and fully participating citizenry – a citizenry that is diverse and inclusive; contributing to a better quality of life for all Marylanders.
1. People with disabilities need to receive supports and services in their communities where they live, work, play, vote, attend school and worship. Maryland’s policies governing the funding of such supports and services must reflect a commitment to this principle.
· Honor people’s choices. Funding should enable people with disabilities to choose where to live and to participate fully in their communities.
· Focus funding on integrated community setting options and away from institutional options. Advocate for changes in Medicaid law to reduce institutional bias.
· Commit to funding personal support services (personal assistants, interpreters, assistive technology, etc.).
2. People with disabilities need accessible and affordable housing throughout Maryland. Maryland’s current housing availability is insufficient.
· Strengthen Maryland’s building code to fully incorporate the principles of universal design, including visitability.
· Create incentives to increase the volume of accessible and affordable housing stock.
· Increase home ownership by people with disabilities and expand programs to assist existing homeowners or rental occupants who have disabilities in keeping their housing of choice.
· Fully implement the Fair Housing Act and its amendments.
3. People with disabilities should have a level of employment equal to the general population. Maryland’s policies governing employment must support efforts to access meaningful employment and opportunities for career advancement.
· Champion a cultural shift in societal expectations for career achievement by people with disabilities.
· Address, more comprehensively, the severe inadequacy of transportation services to get to and from work on a timely basis.
· Increase resources directed to promoting and supporting integrated employment, including provision of funding for “job placement” services.
· Support zero tolerance for disability based discrimination.
· Expand employment opportunities in state government, including entry level positions for transitioning students.
4. Individuals with disabilities should have access to a level of transportation services that enables timely access to a full array of community services and activities, including but not limited to medical care and employment.
· Create an accessible, coordinated statewide system (region-to-region and within regions) of transportation.
· Improve the maintenance of sidewalks, bus stops and other public spaces, and enforce laws related to public rights of way.
· Improve the overall availability of basic transportation services throughout Maryland, including ensuring full accessibility and availability of Para-transit services.
5. People with disabilities need increased access to affordable health and mental health care to fully assure their well-being and quality of life.
· Ensure that Marylanders have the right as well as the access to preventive health care; regardless of income level, disability or employment status.
· Fully fund Medicaid, including full funding of mental health services.
· Provide all citizens a choice and parity in health and mental health coverage.
· Provide universal and affordable prescription drug coverage, and coverage for appropriate durable medical equipment and supplies.
6. Children and young adults with disabilities need a full complement of supports to achieve successful learning in the most integrated setting.
· Provide full access to academic and extracurricular activities for students with disabilities; inclusive of parents, family, friends, and teachers.
· Fund necessary in-class and other educational supports for students with disabilities, teachers and administrators.
· Ensure adequate funding for the purpose of transitioning youth from the school system into the community, including but not limited to transition to employment.
· Expand use of advanced technology options to ensure equal access and that optimal learning approaches are supported for each student.
Updated: October 1, 2010
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