By sponsoring education and training events, the Maryland Developmental Disabilities Council intends to: 1) empower Marylanders with developmental disabilities and their family members to impact issues that affect their lives and the lives of others by increasing their knowledge, skills, and capabilities; and 2) increase the knowledge, skills, and capabilities of professionals and others in Maryland to support and include individuals with developmental disabilities in community life.
Caring Communities
Total Council funding: $3,000
Purpose: Funding will sponsor the 2020 World of Possibilities Disability Expo in Prince George’s County. The expo is a one-day public event with disability-related vendors displaying products, services, and organizations. The event serves as a one-stop resource for the region’s disabilities community.
Final report due: June 2020
The Parents’ Place of Maryland
Total Council funding: $3,000
Purpose: Funding will sponsor the 2019 Wrightslaw Special Education Law and Advocacy Training Conference. Council funds will be used to offer scholarships to offset the registration fees for families to attend the conference. Participants will gain knowledge about special education law, rights and responsibilities, tests and measurements to measure progress and regression, SMART IEP goals, and introduction to tactics and strategies for effective advocacy.
Final report due: December 2019
Abilities Network Project Act
Total Council funding: $3,000
Purpose: Funding will sponsor the 10th Annual Project ACT Early Childhood Conference scheduled for September 20 and 21. Day 1 will focus on leadership topics and capacity building. Day 2 will focus on information for all early childhood professionals around the theme of inclusion.
Final report due: November 2019
People on the Go of Maryland
Total Council funding: $1,000
Purpose: Funds will support registration costs for 10 people with developmental disabilities to attend People on the Go’s bi-annual conference totaling $550. The remaining amount of funding, $450, will support transportation for two to three people with developmental disabilities to attend the bi-annual conference.
Final report due: October 2019
The University of Maryland
Total Council funding: $2,500
Purpose: Funding sponsored the 2019 UMD Disability Summit, held April 5, 2019, which was established in 2016 as an open forum for discussion and collaboration for professionals, educators, academics, services providers, and advocates focusing on disability issues across types of disability and institution.
Final report due: Submitted, activities complete
Autism Society of Baltimore-Chesapeake
Total Council funding: $3,000
Purpose: Funding sponsored the 2019 Honestly Autism Day held on April 6, 2019. The event is devoted to understanding autism and is held in April to celebrate Autism Awareness Month.
Final report due: Submitted, activities complete