DRM Communications, Author at Disability Rights Maryland

4 older adults outside smiling (one in a wheelchair, one with a walker, and two with canes) and a worker

Celebrating 30 Years of PAIR Programming

Posted on August 11, 2023

We are excited to celebrate the anniversary of the Protection and Advocacy for Individual Rights (PAIR) Program.

What is the PAIR Program?

Congress established the PAIR Program in 1993 under an amendment to the Rehabilitation Act. With PAIR Program funding, DRM protects and advances the legal and human rights of people with physical, hearing or vision disabilities.

What type of advocacy does the PAIR Program fund?

DRM used PAIR Program funding to help Baltimoreans who are d/Deaf and hard-of-hearing engage in local politics.

In 2021, DRM began working with a resident of Baltimore who is hard-of-hearing and has a keen interest in politics at all levels. Our client was extremely frustrated because virtual meetings hosted by Baltimore City were not accessible for them. These meetings were broadcast live on a platform called CharmTV.

DRM took action! We wrote a letter to the mayor highlighting our concerns about how d/Deaf and hard-of-hearing citizens were being denied meaningful participation in the City’s programs, and stressing the City’s obligation to make all programs and services accessible. After several meetings involving DRM, our client, the City officials, and with the support of the Maryland Governor’s Office of the Deaf and Hard of Hearing, we achieved some positive outcomes.

The City agreed to incorporate American Sign Language (ASL) interpreters for public addresses and introduced Communication Access Realtime Translation (CART) captioning. CART captioning uses a special kind of keyboard to provide accurate translations that appear on screens, laptops, and devices. Further, the mayor’s office created a Frequently Asked Questions document and internal resource guide to make sure meetings are accessible to everyone.

DRM’s advocacy, funded by the PAIR Program, has the potential to impact the population of over 117,100 individuals who are hard of hearing or deaf in at least one ear in Baltimore City.

We are happy to be able to serve more people, creating a more integrated and just society, thanks to funding from PAIR program.

Take Survey to Determine Our 2024 Priorities

Posted on August 2, 2023

Every year we ask the community which disability-related legal issues need to be addressed. The survey results guide the focus of DRM’s work over the next year. We especially want to hear from people with disabilities, Black, Indigenous and people of color (BIPOC), and others affected by intersectional discrimination and oppression.

There are so many issues we would like to tackle, but our resources are limited. We need to focus on the most important needs in our communities to make the greatest impact.

Here are 4 ways to take the survey by September 7^th:

1. Click here to submit online.

2. Print a survey using link below and mail to Disability Rights Maryland 1500 Union Ave # 2000, Baltimore, MD 21211

3. Email a completed survey to Feedback@DisabilityRightsMD.org

4. Call 410-727-6352 ext. 0 to complete over the phone or request to complete in-person

Online Survey: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/3TPV8MC

Printable survey: https://disabilityrightsmd.org/wp-content/uploads/ASP-Survey.FY2024.pdf

Encuesta en Español: https://disabilityrightsmd.org/wp-content/uploads/ASP-Survey.FY20241-Espanol.docx

Black and white photo of Hale Zukas, Ron Washington and Judith Heumann with Lynette Washington signing ASL in the background

Honoring Judith Heumann’s Legacy on the Anniversary of the ADA

Posted on July 26, 2023

In July, we celebrate Disability Pride Month to commemorate the passing of the landmark Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) in July 1990. It is a time to acknowledge the history, accomplishments, experiences and challenges of disability communities. This is the first year we celebrate without Judith Heumann, “the mother” of the disability rights movement, who played an important role in advocating for passage of the ADA.

In the 1970s and 1980s, Judith’s courageous efforts and advocacy during public protests, including the famous 504 Sit-in, focused attention on the rights and needs of people with disabilities. Her work and that of other disability rights activists contributed to the momentum behind the push for comprehensive civil rights legislation for people with disabilities, leading to the eventual passage of the Americans with Disabilities Act in 1990.

The ADA is a comprehensive civil rights law enacted to prohibit discrimination against individuals with disabilities and to ensure that they have equitable access and opportunities.

The ADA prohibits disability discrimination in many areas:

Employment: Employers cannot discriminate against qualified individuals with disabilities. They must provide reasonable accommodations to help employees perform their jobs.

State and Local Government Services: Government programs and services, including public education, health care and voting, must be accessible to individuals with disabilities.

Transportation: Public transportation services must provide people with disabilities an equal opportunity to benefit from their services.

Public Places: Business that are open to the public like restaurants, stores, and entertainment venues must be accessible to people with disabilities. Physical barriers should be removed or reduced.

Telecommunications: Phone companies must provide relay services for people with hearing or speech impairments.

The ADA has significantly improved the lives of millions of Americans with disabilities and fostered a more inclusive society in our nation. Judith Heumann’s leadership stood out in the crusade and victory for inclusion, as well as respect and acceptance of people with disabilities. Her voice defined what justice is and what justice means for people with disabilities.

DRM will continue to proudly celebrate Judith’s legacy and those that continue her work by presenting the Judith Heumann Champion of Justice Award to individuals who embody the values, accomplishments, and spirit that she infused into the disability rights revolution.

Learn more about Judith Heumann and the Disability Rights Movement.

Learn more about why and how to celebrate Disability Pride Month 2023.

Young woman sitting on a couch smiling and talking to a therapist

Mental Health

Posted on July 18, 2023

Disability Rights Maryland (DRM) monitors psychiatric facilities and advocates to prevent and address abuse, neglect, coercive practices, and barriers to discharge in adult mental health facilities and Residential Treatment Centers (RTCs) for children. DRM also advocates for systemic reforms and policies that improve services and supports for persons with psychiatric disabilities and increase their self-determination and ability to make meaningful choices. DRM investigates certain patterns of discrimination and abuse or neglect of prisoners with serious mental health diagnoses in specific correctional facilities, and also provides limited advice and technical assistance on access to Medicaid-funded mental health care.

Mental Health Resources and Publications:

1. Know Your Rights: Sexual Abuse For Adults and Youth in Maryland’s State Psychiatric Facilities and RICAs: (PDF) (2020)

2. Know Your Rights: For Youth in Psychiatric Hospitals & Residential Treatment Centers: (PDF) (2020)

3. Know Your Rights: When Stopped By the Police in Maryland: (PDF) Being stopped by law enforcement is a stressful experience that can go bad quickly. Learn your rights and how to stay safe during police encounters in this brochure created by DRM’s Maryland PAIMI Council (2020).

4. Protection of Children with Disabilities in Residential Facilities – Restraining & Seclusion Training: (VIDEO) Have questions about how you can best support and respond to youth who experience restraint and seclusion in Residential Treatment Centers (RTCs)? This 60-minute online training will provide an overview of the laws regulating the use of restraint and seclusion in RTCs serving children and youth (2020). See also:

Protection of Children with Disabilities in Residential Facilities – Restraining & Seclusion Training: (PowerPoint) (2020)
Restraint Seclusion Legal Requirements Handout: (PDF) (2020)
Know Your Rights: Restraint and Seclusion For Youth in Psychiatric Hospitals and Residential Treatment Centers: (PDF) (2020)

Mat Rice to Receive the Gayle Hafner Grassroots Advocacy Award

Posted on July 13, 2023

Disability Rights Maryland (DRM) is pleased to announce that Mat Rice, Public Policy Director, People On the Go Maryland, will be the recipient of the Gayle Hafner Grassroots Advocacy Award at DRM’s 2023 Breaking Barriers Awards Gala on Wednesday, September 20, at the American Visionary Art Museum (AVAM) in Baltimore, Maryland.

The award’s namesake, Gayle Hafner, was a trailblazer civil rights attorney at DRM whose zealous advocacy for full inclusion in every aspect of community life improved the quality of life for people with disabilities. Established in 2015, the award honors community leaders who empower individuals to take initiative, collaborate and drive positive change.

Mat is an inspirational leader who embodies Gayle Hafner’s courage, drive and effectiveness.

As the lead facilitator on the Equal Employment Coalition, Mat gathered support from community members and advocates to enact the Ken Capone Equal Employment Act, which abolished the payment of subminimum wages to people with disabilities in Maryland.

When Mat served as Director of Public Policy at The ARC of Maryland, he was instrumental in their work advocating for people with disabilities, particularly during the legislative sessions. In addition to leading many policy priorities, he led the Empowering Partners Self-Advocacy initiative pilot, which raises awareness about the value of self-advocacy and strengthens self-advocacy groups throughout Maryland.

Mat’s powerful public speaking during Maryland legislative sessions inspires people with disabilities and their families to educate Maryland legislators on issues which impact their quality of life. He bravely and selflessly leverages his own personal experiences to rectify the inequities of discrimination against people with disabilities.

To learn more about DRM’s Breaking Barriers Awards Gala, visit DisabilityRightsMD.org/Breaking-Barriers-Gala.

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About Mat Rice:

Mat Rice currently serves as the Public Policy Director and Advocacy Coordinator at People On the Go Maryland. He is a disability advocate and former student at the Maryland School for the Blind and Parkville High School. Mat has served as a support broker and administrative support assistant for Shared Support Maryland, Inc. where he worked for over four years. Mat was formerly the public policy director and project lead for the Empowering Partners self-advocacy initiative at The Arc Maryland. He also served as the public policy specialist for People On the Go. Additionally, Mat served as a board member of Maryland Association of Community Services and MD Works, Inc., and he currently serves as the chair of the Developmental Disabilities Administration Quality Advisory Council.

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Celebrating 30 Years of PAIR Programming

Take Survey to Determine Our 2024 Priorities

Honoring Judith Heumann’s Legacy on the Anniversary of the ADA

Mental Health

Mental Health Resources and Publications:

Mat Rice to Receive the Gayle Hafner Grassroots Advocacy Award

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Mat Rice to Receive the Gayle Hafner Grassroots Advocacy Award