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Winter 2021 Newsletter

DHCD Unveils New Artwork from BRAVE Speaker
Our sister agency, Maryland Department of Housing and Community Development (DHCD), unveiled new artwork for their lobby and invited the artist, Faith McLuckie, to share her story with the entire DHCD team. You will remember Faith as one of our BRAVE In The Attempt speakers from last year with Special Olympics Maryland. If you missed the speakers, you can watch the recording on Special Olympics You Tube channel. Faith's speech is at the 1:07 mark.

Secretary Holt was inspired by Faith's work during his tour of Main Street Connect Apartments with MDOD Secretary Carol Beatty earlier this month. Main Street Connect Apartments is an inclusive apartment building and community center located in Rockville, Maryland, where 25% of the building’s 70 units are set aside for adults with disabilities and the remaining 75% are affordable housing options for all.
Secretary Beatty stands with Secretary Holt, Faith McLuckie, Jillian Copeland from Main Street Connect. They are in front of MD flag.
DHCD invited Secretary Beatty and Jillian Copeland, founder and Executive Director of Main Street Connect, to join them for the unveiling at DHCD headquarters last week. Thank you Faith for inspiring us all with your story and incredible talent!
Governor Hogan proclaims December 6-12
Inclusive Schools Week in Maryland
Governor's Proclamation with state seal and gold Governor's seal making December 6-12 Inclusive Schools Week. Type in body of proclamation is not legible.


Governor Hogan signed a proclamation making December 6-12, 2021 "Inclusive Schools Week" in Maryland.

Inclusive Schools Week recognizes the importance of providing classrooms that are welcoming and capable of educating all of our children. It provides an important opportunity for educators, students and families to discuss ways to ensure that our schools continue to improve their ability to successfully educate all children.
MDOD is part of the "Together We're Better" campaign (TWB), which raises awareness of the value and importance of inclusion of students with disabilities. The program involves a 4-way partnership with the Maryland State Department of Education, the Maryland Developmental Disabilities Council, the Maryland Department of Disabilities, and The Arc Maryland. Secretary Beatty recently spoke to a group of 5th graders from Garrett Park Elementary School in Montgomery County as part of the TWB Program.

There are several aspects of the TWB program including an art contest for students. Check out the Arc Maryland website for more information. Submissions are due January 4, 2022.
The Heumann Perspective: 
Question and Answer with Judy Heumann 

 Presented by Maryland Partnership for Affordable Housing (MPAH)
Headshot of Judy Heumann, white woman with red hair, next to photo of her book cover for Being Heumann. The cover has photo of her using wheelchair.
Join MPAH for a special question and answer session with Judy Heumann, internationally recognized disability rights activist featured in the popular documentary Crip Camp and author of The Heumann Perspective on January 18th, 11am-12noon. Register today to secure your spot! This is a Zoom presentation, but spaces are limited!!

For more about Judy and her story, please visit www.judithheumann.com. 

Registrants are encouraged to submit questions for this session in advance using the following link: QUESTION LINK A selection of questions will be asked during our live session with Judy on January 18, 2022. 

This event is sponsored by the Maryland Partnership for Affordable Housing, an interagency partnership between the Maryland Department of Disabilities, Maryland Department of Health and Maryland Department of Housing and Community Development.

Closed captioning will be available. If you require additional accommodations, please reach out to our Event Contact, Christina Bolyard, 410-767-3660, at least 10 business days in advance of the event.
Hands typing on laptop and holding red gift box in other hand.
MD ABLE Holiday Gifts

With the holidays upon us, consider making a gift contribution to a friend or family member’s Maryland ABLE account. Gifts go directly into a person’s ABLE account and can be used to pay for a wide range of qualified disability expenses. Funds can also be saved or invested for the future without the fear of losing critical benefits such as SSI and Medicaid. As an added benefit, Maryland residents may claim gifts made to a Maryland ABLE account as an income deduction on their Maryland State taxes up to $2,500 per contributor. Visit their website to learn more about the benefits of a Maryland ABLE account.
Maryland Able logo
Three Zoom screens with Secretary Beatty, Commissioner Birrane and ASL Interpreter.
Insurance Listening Post with Maryland Insurance Administration
MD Insurance Commissioner Kathleen Birrane and Secretary Beatty held a listening session to learn more about the experiences of people with disabilities and insurance.
The Maryland Insurance Administration (MIA) is hosting this series of Listening Sessions to help the MIA more fully understand the experiences of specific communities relating to certain kinds of insurance.

These Listening Sessions assist MIA to fulfill their statutory mission to serve Marylanders both in our enforcement of Maryland's insurance laws and in development of tools, guides, and programs for consumers. More sessions are planned for 2022.

Maryland Department of Disabilities
Voice 410-767-3660
Toll Free ⁄ TTY ⁄ Voice 1-800-637-4113