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December 1998
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December 1998
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Governor Parris N. Glendening on the issue...
"We must value every voice, respect every region and resolve to make... our golden rule: We will do what is best for Maryland as a whole, balancing the interest of each with the benefits to all. Maryland's future is our common cause. And the commitments we make and keep today will form the hope for our children's tomorrow, the foundation for their advances and accomplishments."
MACo Conference
August 17, 1996
We believe all people should have the opportunity to live, work and enjoy life to its fullest. While several federal laws such as the Americans with Disabilities Act, the Fair Housing Act, and the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act, guarantee rights of people with disabilities to be part of society, there are times when we must take action to make sure this happens. During the past four years, the Glendening-Townsend Administration has made tremendous progress in advancing community supports for Maryland citizens with disabilities. Employment, health care, mental health services, housing, home and community-based waivers, transportation, assistive technology, personal assistance and support to provider agencies are essential to effective inclusion in Maryland communities. Many people with disabilities are still being denied the opportunity to participate, contribute and benefit from daily life in their communities. This often occurs because people with disabilities are unable to obtain the supports they need to access community jobs, reliable transportation, community housing and recreation. The cost effectiveness of such supports has been demonstrated time and again.
In our second term, the Glendening-Townsend Administration will direct additional attention to increasing supports that assist people with disabilities to live, work and play in their communities. Self determination and choice are the guiding principles. People with disabilities and their families decide what supports they need and who will provide them. Quality assurance and continuous quality improvement are central components of our efforts.
"For the future... I see a time when everyone will know that people are people... that everyone has a variety of abilities and disabilities, that diversity makes life interesting and beautiful, that no one person has a handle on the absolute truth, and that, bottom line, we all need to figure out how we are going to work and play and live together. We are all responsible for community harmony."
Maryland Disabilities Forum
August 25, 1997
To accomplish all of this, we propose to:
Continue full implementation of the multi-year Waiting List Initiative to serve individuals waiting for services from the Developmental Disabilities Administration begun in FY99
Strengthen and expand supports in the community through "best practices" models
Initiate a public awareness program that will encourage communities to appreciate diversity
Increase professionalism and competence in community programs through efforts to provide more adequate funding
Expand initiatives to insure high quality, safe and appropriate supports which respond to the needs of individuals to allow maximum choice and independence
Ensure that cost savings generated within the Mental Hygiene Administration and Developmental Disabilities Administration are retained to provide continued expansion and enhancement of community services.
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