Enhancing Self-Advocacy and Public Policy Work
People On the Go of Maryland (POG)

People on the Go of Maryland (POG) is a statewide self-advocacy group led by people with developmental disabilities. With support from the Council and the Maryland Center for Developmental Disabilities, POG works to improve issues that affect people with developmental disabilities. POG educates and advocates for change with state agencies, the state legislature, and the community. POG also provides training, assistance, and support to a network of local self-advocacy groups. This helps them be informed about issues, build skills, speak for themselves, and be strong advocates.

Project Summary

Supported Decision-Making Training
Parents’ Place of Maryland

A law was passed in 2022 that allows adults to use supported decision-making (SDM) to get support to understand, consider, and make decisions themselves. SDM is a way for adults to get help from other people to make choices and decisions for themselves.

The Parents’ Place of Maryland, in partnership with People On the Go Maryland, Disability Rights Maryland, and The Arc Maryland, will develop a training for youth with developmental disabilities, their families, and the professionals who work with them.

Project Summary

LEADING to Learn: Training on Working with Individuals with Developmental Disabilities for Correctional Supervisors
Loyola University

Loyola University is developing a training program to teach correctional supervisors about ways to work with people with developmental disabilities. More than 300 correctional supervisors in the Department of Public Safety and Correctional Services – Division of Jessup Correctional Region will be trained on how to better support people with developmental disabilities in Maryland’s jails and prisons.

Project Summary

Inclusive Teacher Development
Abilities Network – Project ACT

Early childhood educators want and need training and support so they can better support children with and without disabilities to learn, play, and grow together. Project ACT will develop and deliver Cultivating Inclusion for Teachers training modules. Early childhood educators will also get individual coaching and participate in a community of practice.

Project Summary

Partners in Policymaking^®
The Arc Maryland

Partners in Policymaking® (Partners) is a leadership developmental program designed for people with developmental disabilities and their families. The program prepares participants to advocate for what they need in their own lives. It also prepares them to be leaders that bring about change that helps others. The Partners program is a series of nine sessions and other learning activities. Topics include: history of the disability movement, self-advocacy, inclusive education, assistive technology, legislative process, and advocacy. Partners graduates are prepared and supported to take action after they graduate. They support and learn from each other to bring about change.

Project Summary

Playgrounds for All – Inclusive Playground Website
Maryland Developmental Disabilities Council and Maryland Department of Disabilities

Maryland needs more playgrounds where all children and their families can play. In 2022, the Council and the Maryland Department of Disabilities (MDOD) began working together on inclusive playgrounds. Fully inclusive playgrounds are physically, socially, and emotionally welcoming to everyone.

In 2023, the Council and MDOD released the Framework and Toolkit for Inclusive Playgrounds in Maryland. It explains what inclusive playgrounds are and the benefits they provide to everybody. The report also includes a toolkit for how to expand inclusive playgrounds in communities across Maryland.

Now, we are making a full interactive website for this framework. This website will have detailed, step-by-step information about how to create an inclusive playground in your community. It will include an interactive map of public inclusive playgrounds in Maryland.

Housing Publication
Maryland Developmental Disabilities Council

This publication will highlight the stories of Marylanders with developmental disabilities who have moved into their own homes. Their stories will show different housing options available, barriers that were addressed, and the different kinds of supports.