MDOD Newsletter                                                                           January 2020
2019:  The Year in Review

In 2019 the Maryland Department of Disabilities was changing Maryland for the better for people with disabilities!  Check out our Year in the Review Pictures!!    
Collage of three photos_ all three are groups of people with the proclamation.   Kids in wheelchair costumes including Star Wars XWing fighter and ice cream truck outside Ripken Stadium.


Secretary Carol Beatty and Deputy Secretary Christian Miele, along with our Policy Directors, traveled the state working with our many partners to promote equality of opportunity, access, and choice for Marylanders with disabilities.

2020:  Celebrating the 30th Anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA)
ADA 30th logo with red stars in circle_ under says _Celebrate the ADA July 26. 2020_
Throughout the year, we will be celebrating the 30th anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act.  The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA)  became law in 1990. The ADA is a civil rights law that prohibits discrimination against individuals with disabilities in all areas of public life, including jobs, schools, transportation, and all public and private places that are open to the general public. The purpose of the law is to make sure that people with disabilities have the same rights and opportunities as everyone else. 

The  Mid-Atlantic ADA Center  provides information, guidance, and training on the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), tailored to meet the needs of businesses, government entities, organizations, and individuals in the Mid-Atlantic Region (DC, DE, MD, PA, VA, and WV).  Check out their website for trainings, resources and webinars:  https://www.adainfo.org/
 

Upcoming IT Accessibility Webinars
Cartoon picture of computer screen with word _Accessibility_ in center. Six bubbles attached to screen with images representing six senses.  

Want to learn more about the state's commitment to ensuring accessible information technology, evaluating & procuring technology with accessibility in mind, and ensuring your documents are accessible? We'll be offering webinars all year long on key accessibility topics. Check out our first three for 2020, and don't forget to register! 

January 15, 2020 @ 1pm - Accessibility Initiative Overview
 
February 19, 2020 @ 1pm - Accessibility & IT Procurement

March 17, 2020 @ 1pm - Document Accessibility 101

To request an accommodation, please contact Andrew Drummond at [email protected] or 410-554-9552 no later than one-week prior to each scheduled training.

2020 Maryland General Assembly Legislative Session Begins!
State flag next to words _Maryland General Assembly
 
Last week marked the beginning of the 441st session of the Maryland General Assembly.  

Each January, the MD General Assembly meets for 90 days to consider legislation.  For more information about the General Assembly, MD General Assembly 

Don't know who your representatives are?  No problem!  Use the locator at:   Who Are My Elected Officials?

Use our legislative tracker to keep up to date on bills related to disability issues:  Legislative Tracker