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Secretary Beatty Honored By
Local Groups
Secretary Beatty was honored recently by several local groups for her over twenty years of advocacy on behalf of people with disabilities in Maryland. Her record of support for the disability community includes strides made during the short time she has worked on behalf of the Hogan administration. Secretary Beatty heads the only cabinet level department of disabilities in the nation. The Arc Maryland recognized Secretary Beatty with the President's Cup (pictured above). This distinction
is selected by the state President of The Arc Maryland. The award honors an individual, group, or organization that has contributed to the mission and vision of The Arc by providing exceptional commitment to improve the quality of life of those with intellectual and developmental disabilities.
Secretary Beatty was also honored with the Advocacy Leadership Award by The Arc Baltimore in early May for her work in supporting self advocacy and community action groups.
Join us in congratulating Secretary Beatty on her continued work to change Maryland for the better!
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Exhibiting at the 26th Anniversary ADA celebration is free! The Technology and Resource Fair will allow community members to explore programs, service providers, and vendors from across the state showing what is possible when technology intersects art, communication, employment, education, recreation, and transportation. Join us!
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Haben Girma Announced as 26th Anniversary ADA Keynote Speaker 
How did a brave mother, chocolate cake, and the Americans with Disabilities Act interact to encourage our event keynote speaker to become a trail blazing disability rights activist? Find out when Haben Girma addresses our 26th Anniversary ADA event in July. Ms. Girma is a White House Champion of Change, Forbes 30 under 30 leader, and BBC Women of Africa Hero. She is a nationally acclaimed access and inclusion advocate and the first Deafblind person to graduate from Harvard Law School. Haben champions equal access to information and technology for people with disabilities. Drawing on her training in law, sociology, and technology, Haben advocates designing digital services and developing policies that ensure a future which offers opportunities to everyone. Prepare to better understand the possibilities accessible technology provides the disability community and how each audience member can harness this power to further advance the intentions of the Americans with Disabilities Act.
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Emergency Preparedness Director Featured on Maryland Public Television
Are you prepared for an emergency? The Maryland Department of Disabilities' Emergency Preparedness Director, Cecilia Warren, was featured on Maryland Public Television June 2nd. The weekly program, Your Money and Business, highlighted specific emergency preparedness tips for those with increased access and functional needs including those requiring specialized medical equipment or a service animal/guide dog. ASL interpretation during the segment was provided by the Department of Information Technology, Maryland Relay. Check the MPT listings for air dates and online availability here. |
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26th Anniversary ADA Event
Registration Open
The Maryland Department of Disabilities is proud to announce plans for our 26th anniversary ADA celebration. The event is a FREE community educational experience highlighting the opportunities created when technology intersects the lives of those with disabilities. Featured in the day long program is a technology and resource fair, exciting keynote speakers, and a free community workshop on social media accessibility. Event speakers include Secretary Beatty, Marian Vessels from the Mid-Atlantic ADA Center, and nationally acclaimed disability advocate, Haben Girma. Join us on July 26th at the National Federation of the Blind in Baltimore as we unite as a community to celebrate our past and explore the possibilities of the future.
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Transition Corner: 
Congratulations to
the SUCCESS Students
Congratulations to the students who celebrated their completion of the SUCCESS program at UMBC this May. SUCCESS (Students United for Campus Community Engagement for Post-Secondary Success) is Maryland's first 4-year college based experience for young adults with intellectual disabilities. The goals of SUCCESS are to increase employability and independent living for participants through critical thinking and problem-solving skills  development in an integrated environment. As much as possible, SUCCESS integrates full-time, degree-seeking students with SUCCESS students through a number of courses and components such as a First Year Seminar, Internships, Service-Learning, and Wellness Time. This group is the first to complete the program and many are moving directly to community based employment. Congratulations!
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