September 1995

Maryland Disabilities Forum: Systems Change in Action

On July 12, 1995, collapsible walls were moved back in a ballroom at the Hyatt Regency Hotel in downtown Baltimore and an overflow crowd of over 700 crowded in to participate in the Maryland Disabilities Forum, featuring Governor Parris Glendening as keynote speaker. The July forum was the third in a series sponsored by the Maryland Disabilities Forum, a coalition of consumer organizations from across Maryland. The goal of the forum, and the glue that binds these disparate groups, according to David Ward, Chairperson of the Baltimore County Commission on Disabilities, is the desire to deal with issues that impact all individuals with disabilities. Ward notes that, "the only way we can impact change is for us to come together as a community and, at least temporarily, set aside our special interests."

The Maryland Disabilities Forum was chartered with 52 members last year and has grown to nearly 70 members, including agencies addressing disability issues across the state and corporations like the Helix Group and the Hyatt Regency. Public forums sponsored by the Maryland Disabilities Forum began with a Gubernatorial Candidates Forum held prior to the primary election and a Candidates Forum between Parris Glendening and Ellen Sauerbrey prior to the general election in November. The July Forum, according to Ward, was "an opportunity to hold the elected Governor (Parris Glendening) accountable for promises made during the campaign." Five cabinet secretaries and the Director of the Office for Individuals with Disabilities made themselves available during the entire three hours of the Forum for a panel presentation.

The issues addressed are articulated in the following 11 Commandments from the Maryland Disabilities Forum, and the strategy for addressing the issues is long term, as David Ward noted, "We can't deal with all the issues in one year, but if we can effectively deal with one or two or three, and tackle the others in an organized fashion, we will be successful."

The next challenge for Ward and the Maryland Disabilities Forum is a Legislators Forum to be held at the Hyatt Regency. He noted that the invitation has been extended and a time for the Forum will be worked out by Senate President, Mike Miller and Speaker of the House, Casper Taylor.

Editor's note: The following 11 Commandments are excerpted from information disseminated by the Maryland Disabilities Forum. For a full text version, please contact Tapping Technology, or call the Maryland Disabilities Forum at 410 377-5900.

The Eleven Commandments

1. The level of unemployment must decrease and the level of family income must rise for Marylanders with disabilities.

2. Maryland needs to establish a clear policy prioritizing adequate resource allocation for support of all people who need them, not just for those in State-run institutions.

3. New Maryland housing, and all Maryland housing that undergoes significant repair and / or rehabilitation, should be built to standards utilizing universal design in order to make accessibility an incorporated, not set-aside feature.

4. Maryland should develop an integrated, seamless transportation system that incorporates the already existing rural transportation provider network. Additionally, the current requirement that MTA must generate 50 percent of it's revenue from the fare box should be reduced and the State's subsidy increased, in order to generate additional ridership by disabled persons via lower bus fares.

5. Marylander's of all ages and disabilities who need personal assistance should be able to have it and have the choice of who delivers it, have control over how it is provided and be able to receive it without losing dignity or self-respect.

6. Assistive technology should be widely accessible to disabled Marylanders.

7. As Maryland's system evolves to contain costs through capitalization and managed care strategies, people with disabilities are at tremendous risk for being denied access to the critical health care they need.

8. Maryland needs to establish a policy of long term family supports that will sustain families, rather than intervene with the resources only after the families reach a breaking point (if even then).

9. Preventive health care should be available and accessible in Maryland.

10. Special education needs of students need to be met by bringing more services and supports into the "regular" classroom.

11. In Maryland, there needs to be far greater emphasis on children's mental health. Agencies which are part of the Subcabinet for Children, Youth and Families must effectively coordinate their use of available mental health funding and service resources, ensuring that services are accessible and responsive to the needs of children and their families.

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