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Disabilities Forum of Maryland
OUR SIX PRINCIPLES
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. While each principle can stand alone, they are interrelated and must be addressed on a coordinated basis to achieve quality outcomes and cost efficiencies.
Supporting greater independence and economic well-being among Marylanders with disabilities has far reaching benefits; for individuals, their families, local communities, business, governments, and the public. Addressing the following six principles will provide a basis for ensuring that Maryland has a well educated, productive, working, taxpaying and fully participating citizenry – a citizenry that is diverse and inclusive; contributing to a better quality of life for all Marylanders.
COMMUNITY INCLUSION
People with disabilities should 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 community setting options and away from institutional options. Expand home and community based services (HCBS) waiver funding; and advocate for changes in the Medicaid program at the State and Federal level to reduce institutional bias and seek opportunities for diversion from placements in institutional settings.
- People with disabilities have the right to a secret ballot. There should not be a separate voting system for persons with disabilities because these ballots are identifiable if there is a recount. Policies should be changed to encourage more nondisabled voters to use the electronic voting system to maintain the secret ballot for all citizens including the disabled.
- Commit to funding non-medical care, supervision and assistance in the home of the person or in the community to achieve increased independence, productivity and inclusion in the community. Personal support services include, but are not limited to, personal assistance services, assistive technology and interpreters.
HOUSING
People with disabilities need accessible, affordable and integrated 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 development of accessible, affordable and integrated housing stock.
- Create/expand stipends, loans and other subsidies for accessible renovations to assist homeowners or rental occupants.
- Landlords should not be able to discriminate against renters based on their source of income.
WORKFORCE
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. Raise public awareness to the business community about what people with disabilities bring to the workforce.
- Champion a cultural shift in societal expectations for career achievement among people with disabilities.
- Comprehensively address the severe inadequacy of transportation services available to people with disabilities that allow them to get to and from work on time both within jurisdictions and across existing regional systems.
- Increase resources directed to promoting and supporting integrated employment, including provision of funding for “job placement” services.
- Support zero tolerance for disability-based employment discrimination.
- Expand employment opportunities in state government, including entry level positions for transitioning youth.
TRANSPORTATION
Individuals with disabilities should have access to a level of transportation services that enables timely 24 hour a day access to the full array of community services and activities, including but not limited to medical care, employment, socialization and recreation.
- Create an accessible, coordinated statewide system (region-to-region and within regions) of transportation.
- Improve the maintenance of sidewalks, bus stops, train stations, and other transportation access infrastructure 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 Paratransit services.
- Ensure flexible payment options for children with disabilities and parents with disabilities that have children that use Medicaid funding for paratransit.
HEALTHCARE
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 and access to preventive health care; regardless of their income level, disability or employment status.
- Fully fund Medicaid, including Early and Periodic Screening, Diagnosis, and Treatment (EPSDT); and full funding of mental health services.
- Provide all citizens a choice and parity in their health and mental health coverage.
- Provide universal and affordable prescription drug coverage, and coverage for appropriate durable medical equipment, supplies and adaptive devices to enhance individuals’ participation in life.
- Fully fund outreach efforts to help people in nursing facilities move back to the community.
EDUCATION
Children and young adults with disabilities need a full complement of supports to achieve successful learning in the most integrated setting.
- Provide access to academic and extracurricular activities for persons with disabilities; including parents, family, friends, and teachers.
- Increase commitment to funding all necessary in-class and other school system supports for students, teachers and administrators.
- Allocate funding for transitioning youth from the school system into the community, including but not limited to transition to employment.
- Provide essential training and skills development for transition personnel and community partners.
Updated June 2018
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