MARYLAND DISABILITIES FORUM'S SUCCESSES
· May 2010: The MDF exhibits at the World of Possibilities Expo and begins pre-registration for the Gubernatorial Candidates Forum in the Fall of 2010.
· July 2009: For the Maryland Department of Disabilities celebration of the 19th anniversary of the signing of the Americans with Disabilities Act, the MDF presented a power point researched presentation of the History of the Disability Rights Movement. The presentation is included on this website under Events and News.
· May 2009: The MDF exhibits at the World of Possibilities Expo.
· 2009: The Maryland Disabilities Forum partners with Maryland Works, Inc, a non-profit organization advocating for the equal employment rights and opportunities for individuals with disabilities.
· September 2006: The MDF in partnership with Maryland’s Cross-Disability Community hosted the second forum event of 2006 on Tuesday, September 5th. In attendance at the Gubernatorial Candidates Forum on Disabilities were Governor Robert L. Ehrlich Jr. and Baltimore City Mayor Martin O’Malley. The event was held at the Hyatt Regency Hotel in Baltimore.
· May 2006: The MDF in partnership with Maryland's Cross Disability Community, and in conjunction with the "Caring Communities" 2006 World of Possibilities Disabilities Expo, presented the first of two Gubernatorial Candidates Forums. The May event was for the 2006 Primary Election candidates and was held in the Exhibition Hall of the Maryland State Fairgrounds in Timonium, Maryland.
· October 2005: The Maryland Disabilities Forum (MDF) presented a written document of recommendations for the Draft 2006 Maryland State Disabilities Plan to the Department of Disabilities. This document was the result of MDF’s efforts to build consensus around the recommendations within its cross-disability partnerships.
· October 2005: MDF in partnership with Port Discovery Children’s Museum hosts the sixth annual “Maryland Fun Days – a celebration for students with disabilities and their friends.”
· July 2005: The Maryland Disabilities Forum receives a national grant from the Catholic Campaign for Human Development for the fourth year in a row.
· June 2005: MDF took the lead among advocacy groups in providing stakeholder input to the State for their grant proposal to the Center for Medicare and Medicaid Services for $3.5 million in federal funding, over five years, to change Maryland’s long-term care system. MDF was able to influence changes in grant language, whereby consumers would be involved in the decision-making process, not just provide input.
· May 2005: Beth Slepian, MDF’s Director, graduated from the Maryland Association of Nonprofit Organization’s “Advocacy Leaders Program.” This year-long program is designed to strengthen participants’ knowledge and skills of nonprofit public policy advocacy.
· March 2005: The MDF assisted the Maryland Department of Disabilities in accumulating 12 years of task force reports about personal assistant services and long-term care that otherwise would have been unavailable.
· November 2004: The Maryland Disabilities Forum (MDF) hosts “Keeping the Promise” Gubernatorial Event. Governor Robert Ehrlich, Jr. reaffirms his commitment to Maryland citizens with disabilities as he reports progress on his New Freedom Initiative for Maryland. Kristen Cox, Secretary of the Department of Disabilities and seven other key Cabinet Secretaries also spoke to 650 in attendance.
· September 2004: The Maryland Disabilities Forum receives its third year grant from the Catholic Campaign for Human Development with an increase from the previous two years.
· July 2004: C. David Ward, the Chairperson of the Maryland Disabilities Forum’s Board of Directors, is appointed Chairperson of the Maryland State Commission on Disabilities by Governor Robert L. Ehrlich, Jr. Mr. Ward is the first Chairperson of this newly formed Commission, which is part of the Department of Disabilities.
· May 2004: Governor Ehrlich signs legislation creating the new cabinet-level Department of Disabilities with values and objectives that mirror the MDF’s recommendations for the Governor’s New Freedom Initiative for Maryland.
· November 2003: The Maryland Disabilities Forum presents the cross-disability community’s recommendations to Governor-elect Ehrlich and his executive staff for implementing the Governor’s New Freedom Initiative for Maryland.
· September 2003: The MDF receives continued funding from the Catholic Campaign for Human Development. This is a second year grant.
· August 2003: The MDF sponsors a Candidates’ Forum for President of the Baltimore City Council. The Forum is held at The League for People with Disabilities, Inc., one of the MDF’s partnership organizations.
· July 2003: The Maryland Disabilities Forum hires Beth Slepian as its Director, the MDF’s first paid staff.
· June 2003: In partnership with Making Choices for Independent Living, the MDF sponsors the hiring of its second high school student to work in advocacy during the summer months.
· January 2003: The MDF sponsors the fifth annual “Fun Day for Youth with Disabilities and their Peers” at Port Discovery, Baltimore City’s Children’s Museum. A record 1268 youngsters attend.
· December 2002: Joel David Myerberg, Chairperson of the MDF, is named to Governor-elect Ehrlich’s transition team.
· November 2002: Governor-elect Ehrlich requests that the MDF make recommendations regarding the implementation of his New Freedom Initiative.
· October 2002: The MDF sponsors a Gubernatorial Candidates’ Forum between Lieutenant Governor Kathleen Kennedy Townsend and Congressman Robert L. Ehrlich, Jr. Largest forum the candidates participated in with over 1000 consumers and advocates in attendance.
· August 2002: The first intern with the MDF is placed by the University of Maryland School of Social Work.
· July 2002: The MDF, in partnership with Independence Now, Inc. hires its first student to work in advocacy during the summer months.
· May 2002: The MDF sponsors a fourth annual “Fun Day for Youth with Disabilities and their Peers” at Port Discovery, Baltimore City’s Children’s Museum. Over 1100 youngsters attend.
· October 2001: The MDF sponsors “The Cigarette Restitution Fund-Where Do We Fit In?" forum which results in a decision by the state to fund $250,000 in grants for cigarette cessation programs for persons with mental illness.
· September 2001: The MDF receives its first grant from the Catholic Campaign for Human Development of $30,000.
· April 2001: The MDF sponsors a “Fun Day with Youth with Disabilities” at Port Discovery, Baltimore City’s Children’s Museum. Over 900 youngsters attend.
· February 2001: The Forum has a private meeting with Governor Glendening to discuss his supplemental budget for the implementation of the “Move to Community” effort. He commits to providing some funding for this initiative.
· February 2001: Maryland Board of Nurses agrees to include in changes to the Code of Maryland Regulations, expected to take effect in November 2002, the right of consumers who are cognitively capable of self-direction to supervise their own personal assistance services.
· October 2000: The Forum’s leadership is requested to participate in the Governor Glendening’s implementation plan for the Supreme Court’s Olmstead Decision. Key members of the Forum are serving on several task forces and work groups including one member actively participating on the Governor’s Steering Committee.
· April 2000: The MDF sponsors a “Youth with Disabilities Day” at Port Discovery, Baltimore City’s Children’s Museum. Over 900 youngsters attend.
· August 1999: The Forum sponsors the Baltimore Mayoral Candidate’s Forum on disability issues. It is attended by all four candidates and over 200 consumers.
· July 1999: The Forum begins a leadership role with the Governor’s Office for Individuals with Disabilities to develop a “Move to Community” plan.
· April 1999: The MDF sponsors a “Youth with Disabilities Day” at Port Discovery, Baltimore City’s Children’s Museum. Over 700 youngsters attend, along with dignitaries and legislators.
· March 1999: The Forum sponsors a Town Meeting on disability issues with Congressman Ben Cardin and Congressman Elijah Cummings. Over 200 people attend.
· February 1999: The MDF plays a leadership role in an organized advocacy effort for an increase in the Governor’s budget for independent living. Governor Glendening adds an additional $370,000 to the budget for the Maryland Centers for Independent Living and the Department of Rehabilitation Services.
· September 1998: The Forum plays a major role in the development of the Attendant Care Medicaid Waiver in cooperation in the Governor’s office and the Healthcare Finance Administration (HCFA).
· July 1998: The MDF sponsors a Health Care Forum with the Secretary of Department of Health and Mental Hygiene, Dr. Georges Benjamin, and key staff from the various departments within the DHMH agency. This forum provides an opportunity for the over 300 consumers who attend to discuss their issues directly with the decision makers.
· March 1998: State representatives begin meetings with Forum representatives to plan a state request for matching federal Medicaid funding to provide a community alternative for individuals with disabilities who would otherwise be placed in a nursing home.
· February 1998: With Bell Atlantic funding, ten TV shows are produced in cooperation with Quality Life Services, Inc. The series “We the People” profile leaders in the disability community and available services. It is airs on county cable systems in Montgomery, Baltimore and Prince George’s counties.
· January 1998: Governor Glendening’s Assistant Chief of Staff and the Director of the Governor’s Office for Individuals with Disabilities meet with the Forum’s representatives to brief them on the Governor’s Disability Initiative.
· October 1997: The Forum representatives meet with Governor Glendening to request an administration initiative on disability.
· August 1997: The Forum sponsors an event, with the keynote address by Governor Glendening, attended by over 1000 individuals. State decision-makers from nine state agencies describe the services each provides to individuals with disabilities and then meets in small groups with conference attendees.
· March 1997: Governor Glendening increases the FY1998 DDA budget by $5.4 million for emergency and community services as requested in December 1996 by the MDF.
· February 1997: Forum arranges a meeting with its representatives, Robert Hoffman (Maryland Works), Robert Burns (DORS), and Fred Puddester (Secretary, Department of Budget & Fiscal Planning), along with several budget analysts, to discuss a 12% cut in the DORS budget. This meeting plays a significant part in the restoration of full funding.
· January 1997: Caspar Taylor, Speaker of the House of Delegates, at the Forum’s request, agrees to facilitate passage of Senate Bill 122 (pedestrian safety for individuals with disabilities).
· December 1996: When developing his FY1998 budget, Governor Glendening proactively asks the Forum to identify the critical programs which form the safety net for individuals with disabilities in Maryland.
· September 1996: The MDF sponsors a “Congressional Candidates Forum on Disability Issues” involving all of the Maryland candidates for Congress. 700 people attend. According to Congressman Ben Cardin, it is by far the largest candidates’ event he has ever attended.
· March 1996: Forum representatives meet with Governor Glendening to discuss his FY1997 supplemental budget. Over $2 million in purchase dollars is returned to personal care.
· January 1996: Governor Glendening credits the Forum, in the BALTMORE SUN newspaper, with bringing information to him which results in his reversing a decision to layoff 228 state funded personal care staff.
· December 1995: The MDF sponsors the “1996 Legislative Forum on Disability Issues” keynoted by the Speaker of the House and the President of the Senate. 450 people attend.
· July 1995: The Forum sponsors an event keynoted by the Governor with questions from the disability community responded to by his cabinet. 1500 people attend.
· November 1994: The Forum sponsors a gubernatorial debate between Democrat Parris Glendening and Republican Ellen Sauerbrey. 800 persons attend.
· August 1994: The MDF membership increases to 76 member organizations located throughout Maryland.
· May 1994: The Forum’s first debate among candidates for Governor is attended by nearly 500 people.
· January 1994: Activists with disabilities, each of whom had been involved with other cross-disability organizations, formed the Maryland Disabilities Forum in order to produce statewide systems change.
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