Hundreds of advocates marched in Annapolis from the Loews Hotel on West Street, the site of this years Developmental Disabilities Day, to the legislature to urge legislators to to support a dime a drink tax on alcohol to fund Developmental Disabilities services. Held on February 25, the processional capped off a morning briefing on legislative issues. 

 

Some of the topics discussed at the briefing were:

 

1. The 19,034 children, adults and families on the DDA waiting list for community services such as family support and respite, day and employment programs, residential services and other supports. Find out more at www.endthewaitnow.com

 

2. Legislation to support increased funding to DDA services such as The Lorraine Sheehan Health and Community Services Art of 2010, Income Tax Checkoff for Developmental Disabilities, and the Developmental Disabilities Administration - Waiting List Equity Fund. (Click on name of bill to learn more)

 

3. Senate Bill 28 and House Bill 816 that would change the law so that a person with a mental disability would be allowed to vote.

 

Don't forget to contact your legislators and let them know you support these bills. Also, you can contact the Governor to thank him for funding what is in the budget for DDA and request that he support legislation that would increase funding to DDA to be used for the Waiting List and underfunding of community services.

 

Email: www.gov.state.md.us

 

Write: Governor Martin O'Malley

          State House

          Annapolis, MD 21401

 

Call: 800.811.8336 or MD Relay 800.735.2258