Blog

Take Our Annual Survey!

Disability Rights Maryland would like to hear from you! We are conducting our annual Legal Advocacy Services Plan survey (Fiscal Year 2026), asking the community to weigh in about the most important disability-related legal needs facing Marylanders and what DRM should focus on in the coming year. DRM’s current Advocacy Services Plan can be found here: 2025-Advocacy-Service-Plan-final-Board-approved.pdf. Our FY2026 Advocacy Services Plan will be finalized and issued by the end of this year.  There are so many issues we would like to tackle, but our resources are limited and we want to concentrate on the most important needs in our communities.

Please share your feedback with us by taking the online survey (link). To request a paper survey, provide feedback over the phone or in-person, or if you need an accommodation or translation to participate, call us at 410-727-6352 ext. 0 or email JackieP@disabilityrightsmd.org

Deadline to respond is August 16, 2025.

Take the survey: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/JVVPGLL   

Read more

PRESS RELEASE: Disability Rights Maryland Files Lawsuit Against Maryland Department of Health Over the State’s Practice of Indefinitely Detaining Criminal Defendants with Disabilities Deemed Incompetent to Stand Trial

CONTACT: Luciene Parsley, DRM Litigation Counsel, LucieneP@DisabilityRightsMD.org, 443-692-2494

BALTIMORE, MD — On January 9, 2025, Disability Rights Maryland, Inc. (DRM), represented by the Washington Lawyers’ Committee for Civil Rights and Urban Affairs and co-counsel Wiley Rein LLP, filed a lawsuit against the Maryland Department of Health (MDH) and Dr. Laura Herrera Scott, in her official capacity as Secretary of the MDH.  The lawsuit challenges MDH’s continuous failure to provide timely and appropriate mental health care and supportive services to criminal defendants who have been deemed incompetent to stand trial (IST) as is required by Maryland law.

Maryland Code Ann., Crim. Proc. §3-106(c)(2)(i) requires MDH to transfer individuals found IST and dangerous to a designated health care facility within 10 business days of MDH’s receipt of the court’s order for the purpose of competency restoration and treatment.  However, as set forth in the complaint, MDH has persistently failed to fulfill this obligation, leaving more than 200 IST-adjudicated defendants statewide languishing in jails and other correctional facilities — some for weeks to months at a time.  The complaint further alleges that MDH is violating the Americans with Disabilities Act and Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act by over-designating criminal defendants as dangerous and failing to provide competency restoration in the most integrated setting available.  Over forty percent of IST-adjudicated defendants who are indefinitely detained were charged with misdemeanor offenses or non-violent felonies.  DRM believes many of these individuals were improperly labeled as dangerous and that many who are currently languishing in jails could likely be restored to competency in the community if they were provided with appropriate supports.

“Leaving people with disabilities in jail deprives them of needed services and supports and has no rational relationship to moving them through the criminal process,” said Luciene Parsley, Litigation Director at Disability Rights Maryland.  “We have received complaints about horrific conditions that individuals are kept in, such as being forced to sleep on the floor or maintained in solitary confinement for extended periods of time.”

The lawsuit highlights the devastating consequences of MDH’s inaction, detailing cases of Marylanders who were held in inhumane conditions and deprived of appropriate support as a direct result of MDH’s failure to comply with state law requiring prompt transfer to appropriate healthcare facilities.  These individuals, all found IST, were confined in jails for prolonged periods without access to adequate mental health treatment or support, necessary medications, counseling, or basic care, leading to significant deterioration in their physical and mental health.

“Many of these individuals could be restored to competency in their own communities,” said Courtney Bergan, Equal Justice Works Fellow at Disability Rights Maryland.  “Doing so would be more effective and efficient for everyone.”

“Maryland’s legislature expressly noted the serious constitutional implications of subjecting IST-adjudicated individuals to indefinite jail detention, delaying their access to needed treatment, when it modified the existing law to require MDH to implement hospitalizations within a specific – and short – time period,” said Wiley Rein’s Pro Bono Partner, Ted Howard.  “MDH’s conscious and complete failure to comply with its statutory obligations in this regard is simply unacceptable and calls out for redress by the federal court.”

The lawsuit seeks declaratory and injunctive relief, asserting that the indefinite detention of IST-adjudicated individuals without treatment violates their rights under the U.S. Constitution, Article 24 of the Maryland Declaration of Rights, the Americans with Disabilities Act and Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act.  DRM is demanding systemic reforms to address MDH’s ongoing failures and to ensure timely and appropriate care for IST-adjudicated individuals in the most integrated setting appropriate to their needs.

“Maryland’s competency system is deeply broken,” said Ryan Downer, Legal Director with the Washington Lawyers’ Committee.  “People determined by state courts to be in need of mental health services are instead left to rot in jail.  Our hope is that this lawsuit will jolt state officials awake.”

Read the filed complaint.

About Disability Rights Maryland

Disability Rights Maryland is the federally mandated protection and advocacy agency for the state of Maryland, working to protect people with disabilities from abuse, neglect, and rights violations. DRM advocates for systemic change, emphasizing the importance of self-determination, inclusion, and access to services and support in the most integrated setting available.

About the Washington Lawyers’ Committee for Civil Rights and Urban Affairs

The Washington Lawyers’ Committee for Civil Rights and Urban Affairs works to create legal, economic, and social equity through litigation, client and public education and public policy advocacy.  While we fight discrimination against all people, we recognize the central role that current and historic race discrimination plays in sustaining inequity and recognize the critical importance of identifying, exposing, combatting, and dismantling the systems that sustain racial oppression.

About Wiley Rein LLP

Wiley Rein LLP is a preeminent law firm in Washington, DC that has earned international esteem by achieving legal, regulatory, and policy successes for many of the world’s leading companies, organizations, and startups.  The firm is consistently recognized for its strong commitment to pro bono work and service to the community, providing exceptional legal representation to support clients in achieving justice and equity.

Read more

PRESS RELEASE: DRM and Partners Reach Agreement with Baltimore City to Improve Sidewalks and Ramps for People with Mobility Disabilities​

December 18, 2024—Baltimore, MD— Disability Rights Maryland (DRM) and their legal partners Disability Rights Advocates, Fox & Robertson, and Goldstein, Borgen, Dardarian & Ho, on behalf of a class of pedestrians with mobility disabilities, have reached a partial agreement with the City of Baltimore to make sidewalks and curb ramps more accessible for people with mobility disabilities. This is part of a class-action lawsuit called Goodlaxson, et al. v. Mayor and City Council of Baltimore (Case No. 1:21-cv-01454-JKB). 

In 2021, DRM and their legal partners filed the lawsuit on behalf of several individuals and organizations, including Susan Goodlaxson, Janice Jackson, Keyonna Mayo, and the IMAGE Center of Maryland. We argued that Baltimore City failed to follow federal disability laws because many of its sidewalks and curb ramps were not built or maintained to be accessible, making it harder for people with disabilities to safely travel around Baltimore and take part in community life. 

Baltimore City’s own data shows the issue is widespread. A 2019 review found that only about 1.3% of surveyed curb ramps met ADA (Americans with Disabilities Act) standards. Many sidewalks were also damaged or too narrow for wheelchairs and other mobility devices, forcing people with disabilities to use the street alongside traffic, which is dangerous. 

This lawsuit aimed to help everyone with mobility disabilities who has had trouble using Baltimore’s sidewalks, curb ramps, and pedestrian pathways because they were too steep, narrow, or damaged. The agreement, known as a partial consent decree, is a step toward fixing these issues. Starting in the third year of the agreement, the parties will work on a long-term plan to make all sidewalks and ramps accessible. 

What Baltimore City Has Agreed to Do: 

  1. Spend $44–50 Million Over Four Years 
    The City will repair or build thousands of curb ramps and fix tens of thousands of square feet of sidewalks. 
  2. Focus on Key Areas First 
    Improvements will start in important places like government offices, transportation hubs, hospitals, and business areas, especially in high-need neighborhoods. 
  3. Improve the 3-1-1 System 
    People with mobility disabilities can use the City’s 3-1-1 system to report broken sidewalks or ramps. Baltimore City will: 
      • Investigate issues within 60 days. 
      • Provide a timeline for fixing the issue within 10 days after the investigation.
      • Aim to fix the problem within nine months. 
      • Quickly respond to complaints about puddles forming on ramps. 
  4. Hire ADA Coordinators 
    Baltimore will appoint coordinators to ensure the repairs meet ADA standards.
  5. Raise Awareness
    The City will educate the public about keeping sidewalks and ramps clear of snow and debris, especially near bus stops and public transportation.
  6. Create a Public Database 

Baltimore City will maintain an online system to track the conditions of sidewalks and curb ramps. 

Why This Matters 

This agreement is a big step toward making Baltimore a more accessible city for everyone. It addresses the immediate needs of the plaintiffs and sets an example for improving accessibility. Residents with mobility disabilities, and all residents, are encouraged to use 3-1-1 to report sidewalk and ramp problems. You can mention your mobility disability when reporting so repairs can be prioritized. You can report issues by calling 3-1-1 or using the website

The Court has scheduled a Fairness Hearing for March 27, 2025  at 11:00 a.m. It will be held in person at:

United States District Court
District of Maryland, Courtroom 5A
101 West Lombard Street
Baltimore, MD 21201

Read the Class Notice.

You have a right to object to this Agreement. Information on how to object is in the Class Notice. Read it in English (Word/ PDF), Spanish (Word/ PDF), and Korean (Word/ PDF).

The Agreement will not become effective unless the Court approves it.

Read more

Cayla Calderwood: Uniting Skills for Change

Photo Cayla Calderwood who is a young woman with long brown hair.

Why did you choose to take a pro bono case with DRM?
Taking a pro bono case offers a chance to collaborate with colleagues outside my usual circles. Working with diverse groups within Sidley Austin LLP has been particularly rewarding. It allows me to contribute my expertise while learning from others in different practices – like healthcare, securities, and litigation. It’s an opportunity to broaden my professional network while making a meaningful difference.

 

How has your pro bono work with DRM impacted you?
Working with DRM has been an eye-opening experience, especially coming from the West Coast. I assumed DRM worked primarily in Baltimore because that’s where the office is, but some of the communities that I’ve been working with most closely are right next to where I live in D.C.. I’ve gained a deeper understanding of the diverse communities in Maryland and the socio-economic landscape of the region. It’s helped me integrate into my new surroundings.

 

What’s it like collaborating with DRM on cases?
Sidley Austin LLP and DRM complement each other well. We come with a specialized skill set and DRM comes with the subject matter expertise. For example, as we design our case, DRM can tell us the strategic things that we should be aware of. While we could spend hours conducting case law research, they can quickly pinpoint key factors and relevant precedents in disability law. That makes the work go so much faster and easier. That’s been pretty fantastic.

 

What would you say to others who are considering volunteering with DRM?

I was nervous to start working on this case because my background wasn’t in the substantive underlying areas of law. But you don’t need to be an expert to contribute significantly.

Also, in my experience, it’s been fairly easy to make a pretty big impact with not that many hours. There’s been some very discreet, easily tackleable, and fascinating legal questions. Just having somebody spend 10 dedicated hours diving through every aspect of the legal question and then bringing the results back to the DRM team can make a world of difference.

 

Anything else you would like to add?

The cases that DRM takes can be pretty heart wrenching. It’s emotionally taxing at times, but it feels good at the end of the day when I’ve spent a chunk of my time working on something that I know is going to have an immediate and tangible impact for somebody. I’ve developed a profound respect for the DRM attorneys who navigate these challenging situations daily. Their dedication inspires me professionally and personally.

 

About Cayla

Cayla Calderwood, Managing Associate at Sidley Austin LLP, is an accomplished lawyer with significant experience navigating complex legal landscapes and achieving favorable outcomes in high-stakes litigation. Cayla focuses her practice on litigating complex matters in federal courts across the United States, including alleged violations of the U.S. Clean Air Act, enforcement of international arbitration awards, prosecuting disputes related to project financing, and coordinating complex e-discovery issues. Known for her meticulous approach, Cayla has experience developing legal claims, drafting and filing initial proceedings, conducting in-depth research, and skillfully drafting motions. Her experience extends to leading complex document discovery, coordinating with expert witnesses, negotiating with opposing counsel, and advising clients on trial risks.

 

Learn more on Sidley Austin LLP’s website (link opens to external webpage).

Read more