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From the desk of Cathy Raggio...
It was my great pleasure to attend a very special ceremony last month. What made it special was not just the location, the White House, but the purpose of the event. On February 15, 2013, Marylander Janice Jackson was recognized by President Barack Obama as one of the 2012 Presidential Citizen Medal recipients,
the nation's second-highest civilian honor. Established in 1969, the Presidential Citizen Medal recognizes Americans who have performed exemplary deeds of service for their country or their fellow citizens.
Janice was recognized for her work as a mentor, a counselor and the founder of Women Embracing Abilities Now (WEAN), an organization she created to empower women with disabilities and advocate passionately on their behalf. At the age of 24, Janice was struck by an oncoming car. Doctors told her she would never be able to move her limbs again. She proved them wrong. Battling against the odds, Janice regained control of her left arm and reached for the promise of the years ahead. As part of President Obama's opening remarks he singled out Janice for her devotion to women with disabilities and her message that "even though you have limitations, you also have abilities."
Janice is an excellent reminder of what we can accomplish in our lives if we have the strength, determination and belief in ourselves to make it happen. All of those recognized on February 15 along with Janice saw an unmet need within their communities and stepped up as volunteers with their creative ideas to address those needs.
Presidential Citizen Medals were also awarded posthumously to the principal and five teachers at Sandy Hook Elementary - "six courageous women...who gave their lives to protect the precious children in their care."
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2013 Maryland Youth Leadership Forum Moves to Towson University
The 2013 Maryland Youth Leadership Forum, a unique career and leadership program for high school students with disabilities, has been scheduled for the week of June 25 - 28, 2013 at Towson University. Open to students in their final two years of high school, the program gives participants a taste of college life while offering opportunities for them to increase their independence and leadership skills and develop personal and career goals. During the week-long forum, students develop personal leadership plans, interact with successful role models, visit an exhibit of assistive technology and learn the history of the disability rights movement and advocacy skills. Approximately 30 students with a variety of disabilities will be selected to participate in this year's Youth Leadership Forum. Participants are selected to attend based on their accomplishments and leadership potential (academic achievement, community service and participation in school and community activities), disability diversity, and geographic representation.
The Maryland Youth Leadership Forum is conducted under the direction of Independence Now, Inc., a center for independent living serving Montgomery and Prince George's counties. Applications for the 2013 Maryland Youth Leadership Forum are available online at http://innow.org/home/youth-leadership-forum/about or by calling Independence Now at 301-277-2839, x 1600. Application deadline is March 31, 2013
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Deadline for SUCCESS Applications is April 1, 2013!
The Maryland SUCCESS program, a four-year post-secondary education program for students with intellectual disabilities, is currently accepting applications for the 2013-2014 academic year. A partnership between the Maryland Department of Disabilities and the University of Maryland, Baltimore County (UMBC), the SUCCESS program enables Marylanders with intellectual disabilities to develop their independence, critical thinking, problem-solving and employment skills in a university setting. Housed in the Shriver Center at UMBC, the SUCCESS program gives participants the opportunity to experience college life alongside UMBC's degree seeking students - interacting with their peers through a wide array of inclusive, educational, social and recreational campus-based activities.
Students eligible for the SUCCESS program must have an intellectual disability, have exited school at age 21 with a certificate by Spring 2013 and be no older than 24 years old. Families will be responsible for residential costs and transportation. Completed applications must be submitted no later than April 1, 2013. To find out more information about the SUCCESS program, contact Nan Brittingham at nbrittingham@mdod.state.md.us or call 410-767-3948 or visit www.shrivercenter.org/success.
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Hussman Center for Adults with Autism Hosts "Saturdays on the Spectrum"
On Saturday, March 30, 2013, the Hussman Center for Adults with Autism at Towson University will host "Saturdays on the Spectrum: Voices Creating Understanding of Adult Autism," an interactive discussion on creating supportive care giving programs for individuals on the autism spectrum. The discussion will focus on functional environments that support adults on the autism spectrum and discuss the challenges inherent in creating these types of living situations.
Open to individuals on the spectrum, parents, caregivers, group home/residential facilities staff and others the event will be held from 10 a.m. - 12 noon at the Towson City Center, 1 Olympic Place, Towson, MD 21204. Space is limited. For more information, call 410-704-4486 or send an email to hcaa@towson.edu. To register for "Saturdays on the Spectrum," visit www.towsoniwb.com/saturdays.The Hussman Center for Adults with Autism brings together Towson students and young adults on the autism spectrum to create a mutually-rewarding learning environment. Social, educational and fitness programs support student learning and adults with autism as they develop the tools needed to lead meaningful lives as engaged members of their communities.
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Donations Benefit Marylanders with Developmental Disabilities
Marylanders can once again make a difference in the lives of individuals with developmental disabilities. All they have to do is mark the Developmental Disabilities Administration (DDA) Waiting List Tax check off box on their 2012 State Personal Income Tax and 100 percent of their donation will go to support the Developmental Disabilities Administration's (DDA) Waiting List Fund. Last year, approximately $218,000 was donated for the DD Waiting List by many generous Marylanders through their 2011 Personal Income tax.
Created in 2010, the DDA Waiting List Tax check off is an opportunity for Maryland taxpayers to voluntarily make donations that would be used for services needed by people with developmental disabilities through an income tax form check-off box. The tax donations will provide additional financial support for DDA-funded services. These supports, which include services for children, job training and employment, respite care and opportunities to live in the community, will be provided by non-profit organizations such as local chapters of The ARC and United Cerebral Palsy and paid for by the State of Maryland.
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2035 Maryland Transportation Survey
Maryland is projected to add more than one million new residents by 2035 to a transportation system that is already at capacity in many locations. How should this increasing demand for travel be addressed? Under the leadership of the O'Malley-Brown Administration, the Maryland Department of Transportation (MDOT) is developing the 2035 Maryland Transportation Plan (MTP), a 20-year vision for transportation in Maryland.
As part of its public outreach effort, MDOT is launching the Maryland Transportation Plan survey; a resource that will allow Maryland residents to share their opinions, ideas and concerns and help shape the future of transportation in Maryland. To take part in the survey and learn more about the MTP effort, visit www.mdot.maryland.gov/MTP.
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2013 Jacobus tenBroek Disability Law Symposium Set for April 18-19 in Baltimore
The National Federation of the Blind (NFB) will host the 2013 Jacobus tenBroek Disability Law Symposium, "Push Forward and Push Back: Continuing the Struggle for the Right to Live in the World" on April 18-19, 2013, at the NFB Jernigan Institute in Baltimore. The 2013 Symposium will consist of plenary sessions and workshops facilitated by distinguished law professors, practitioners and advocates who will discuss issues such as the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, the impact of Olmstead on employment, transitioning from minor to adult in education, the status of Web sites as a place of public accommodation following Target and Netflix and individual choice in decision making. Rebecca Bond, newly appointed chief of the Department of Justice Disability Right Section, and Jonathan Young, former Chairman of the National Council on Disability and Partner and General Counsel at FOXKISER, will be keynote speakers at the symposium. Visit the NFB website for a complete list of presenters and workshop facilitators.
Registration is required, the conference cost is $175; $25 for students. A limited number of scholarships to cover the registration fee will be available to individuals with demonstrated financial need. For more information about the 2013 Symposium or to register online, visit the National Federation of the Blind website or call Lou Ann Blake, Law Symposium Coordinator at 410-659-9314, extension 2221.
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Congratulations to Winners of "Together We're Better" Poster Contest
On March 12, students, teachers and families gathered to celebrate at the Annual "Together We're Better" poster contest award ceremony in Annapolis. Conducted by The Arc Maryland, in partnership with the Maryland State Department of Education, Maryland Department of Disabilities and the Maryland Coalition for Inclusive Education, the contest encouraged Maryland elementary schools to celebrate the diverse abilities of all students and highlight the importance of providing equal opportunities for children with disabilities.
Elementary classes in Maryland completed (as a class project) a poster that explored why inclusive schools are so important and how students with disabilities contributed to their schools and communities. Contest winners included:
1st Place
Middletown Primary (Frederick County)
Students in the DuMars/Pearl/Wier 2nd grade classes
$50 party / $250 gift
2nd Place
Westover Elementary (Montgomery County)
Students in Ms. Schweitzer's 1st grade class
$50 party / $150 gift
3rd Place
Taneytown Elementary (Carroll County)
Students in Mrs. Snyder's and Mrs. Staub's 5th grade classes
$50 party / $100 gift
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SAVE THE DATE -
July 26, 2013 - 23rd Anniversary of the ADA
On Friday, July 26, 2013, Marylanders with disabilities, their friends and families, service providers and advocates will come together to celebrate the 23rd Anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act at the University of Maryland, Baltimore County (UMBC). The 2013 celebration will focus on Best Practices in Employment with special 5-minute Ignite presentations.
The 2013 ADA anniversary celebration, which is free and open to the public, will be held from 12 - 3 p.m. in the UMBC University Center Ballroom. A light lunch will be served from 12 noon - 1 p.m. Following the lunch, the ADA Anniversary program will include keynote speakers and special Ignite Best Practices presentations on Employment initiatives for people with disabilities. The celebration will also include special displays and exhibits. Interpreter, captioning and assistive devices will be provided. Free valet parking will be provided. For more information, call 410-767-3660 or 1 -800-637-4113 or send an email to mdod@mdod.state.md.us.
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Upcoming Events
April 18-19, 2013 - Brain Injury Association of Maryland 25th Annual Education Conference, Crowne Plaza, Timonium. Visit www.biamd.org for more information.
May 17, 2013 -10th Annual World of Possibilities Expo at the Maryland State Fairgrounds. Visit www.caringcommunities.org for more information.
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Social Media and MDOD
Just a reminder - the Maryland Department of Disabilities is on Facebook and Twitter. Check out these social media sources for more information on the Department and its programs. To follow the Department, go to the website at www.mdod.maryland.gov
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Sending information and news of interest to the disability community.
Andrea Thomas Harrison, Director of Communications
Maryland Department of Disabilities
410-767-3654
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