The Maryland DD Council
Welcomes
New Staff
The Maryland Developmental Disabilities Council is pleased to announce that Teri Sparks will join our staff as the new Director of Grants and Initiatives.
A longtime legal advocate for people with disabilities during her 28 years at Maryland Disability Law Center (MDLC), Teri has worked on behalf of children and adults on issues spanning foster care, special education, assistive technology and civil rights. She brings a track record of accomplishment in her ability to work collaboratively with diverse stakeholders and is most proud of her work supporting the de-institutionalization of people who lived at Rosewood Center.
Teri was appointed to serve on the Governor's Commission for Effective Community Inclusion for Individuals with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities, which provided a springboard to focus on systemic issues and solutions. As a part of that work, Teri played a leadership role in the development of a training curriculum and recommendations for Maryland's law enforcement officers throughout Maryland. Most recently,Teri has served as co-chair of the Ethan Saylor Alliance Steering Committee, developing the means to ensure people with IDD are included as trainers and in leadership roles.
In her new role, Teri looks forward to continued advocacy on statewide initiatives that will strengthen and expand the combined efforts of the DD Council and MDLC. She adds, "I am grateful for the opportunity to bring my disability advocacy expertise to the DD Council and am eager to develop initiatives that will support Maryland's goals of self-direction and full community integration, particularly through self-advocacy."
Teri joins the DD Council staff in early May.
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