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December 1998
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December 1998
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Over the past four years, Governor Glendening and Lt. Governor Townsend have provided an unprecedented level of support for inclusion of Maryland citizens with disabilities in all aspects of their communities. They have promoted an environment which will ensure Marylanders with disabilities are able to live independently and make vital contributions to Maryland's economy, quality of life and community spirit. This Administration believes Marylanders with disabilities should have full access to good paying jobs with opportunities for career advancement and the right to live with dignity.
Promises Made, Promises Kept - The Record of Accomplishment
Proposed and gained legislative approval of a five-year, $118 million funding initiative to enhance services and effectively respond to the needs of the 5,300 person waiting list for Developmental Disabilities Administration services, easing the minds of parents who worry about what will happen to their sons and daughters with disabilities when they are no longer able to care for them.
Created a $500,000 pilot project to provide home ownership opportunities for Maryland citizens with disabilities.
Proposed and implemented a disability tax credit for employers who hire Maryland citizens with disabilities. This tax credit also includes an additional allowance for employer-sponsored transportation or child care services.
Created an Office of Personal Assistance Services to help streamline and make Maryland's network of personal assistance services more efficient. Also increased the allocations for the Maryland Attendant Care Program and increased the Maryland Medical Assistance Personal Care Level III payment for caregivers.
Maryland was the first state to provide nonvisual access to America's job bank listing through a collaborative relationship between the Department of Labor, Licensing and Regulation and the National Federation of the Blind, providing employment opportunities not only to blind and visually impaired persons, but also to anyone looking for work who does not have access to a computer or the skills to effectively utilize a computer.
Worked to increase access to all aspects of government and community life for Maryland citizens with disabilities through participation on boards, commissions and task forces.
Appointed an Employment Workgroup which made recommendations to increase employment opportunities for people with disabilities; funded three new projects to address employment for people with severe disabilities and promote independent living.
Developed and implemented a new public mental health system that maintained a safety net for low income and uninsured Maryland adults with mental illnesses and children with emotional disturbances.
Worked with the Mass Transit Administration to implement changes to paratransit services ensuring more responsive, accessible services to citizens.
Established an Accessibility Advisory Committee which worked closely with the Maryland Stadium Authority and the Ravens organization to ensure the new football stadium includes innovative and creative approaches and is the most accessible in the nation for individuals with disabilities.
Funded education efforts to promote early intervention and prevention services for children needing mental health services through the "Caring for Every Child's Mental Health Campaign."
Appointed an Advisory Committee on Careers in the Arts for People with Disabilities to expand opportunities for Maryland artists with disabilities; Maryland is the first and only state to have created such an advisory group.
Our Continued Vision The Glendening-Townsend Administration Will:
Direct attention toward the high unemployment and underemployment rate of Marylanders with disabilities, bringing together State agencies, the business community and provider agencies to develop creative methods to access more fully this valuable workforce.
Aggressively market the Disability Tax Credit to the business community, especially to those looking to establish themselves in Maryland.
Continue financial enhancements of programs which have proven effective outcome measures in assisting individuals with disabilities to secure and maintain jobs.
Provide sufficient State general funding to both ensure a continued presence for the Maryland Technology Assistance Program and be able to access new federal funding if and when it becomes available.
Build a stronger partnership between communities, government and service agencies working to ensure the needs of people with disabilities are met with the most appropriate level of services, providing opportunities and choices for them.
Bring more Marylanders with disabilities into State government, ensuring a close partnership in policy development and implementation.
Continue to improve health care reform efforts initiated in our first term, assuring that the cost savings generated within the Mental Hygiene and Developmental Disabilities Administrations remain to expand and enhance community services.
Make maximum use of emerging technology to assure full accessability for Maryland citizens with disabilities in all aspects of life.
Promote an inclusive and accessible environment for all Maryland citizens emphasizing opportunities for full participation of individuals with disabilities in various community activities throughout Maryland.
Increase opportunities for children with and without disabilities to learn, grow and interact with one another, expanding choices for their future.
Make maximum use of opportunities for federal funding to expand various health-related areas through use of federal Medicaid waivers to increase community-based services and programs.
Create a personal assistance service system which is consumer-responsive, provides high quality services, offers choices, supports self-determination and is flexible.
Continue to engage relevant disability organizations in partnership as we continue to creatively meet the personal assistance needs of citizens with disabilities.
Expand initiatives which promote continuous improvement in all aspects of services and supports in the community to insure high quality, safe and appropriate supports which respond to the needs of individuals while allowing for maximum choice and independence.
Initiate a public awareness program that will encourage communities to appreciate diversity.
Continue our efforts to enhance the quality, expand the amount and improve the efficiency of our transportation system across the State.
Refine and expand the Home Ownership for People with Disabilities Demonstration Program to reach more citizens with disabilities throughout the State who cannot access home ownership through other means.
In addition to this overview of the Glendening-Townsend Administration's accomplishments and proposed agenda to support Maryland citizens with disabilities, specific one-page issue sheets are available on the following topics:
Assistive Technology
Community Supports
Education
Employment
Health and Mental Health
Housing
Personal Assistance Services
Transportation
All are reflective of our commitment to working collaboratively with Maryland citizens with disabilities and their families to ensure full participation and access to community activities and opportunities. Together they form a blueprint for our work during our second term and will help insure we leave no one behind as we move Maryland forward into the next century.
This document is available in accessible formats.
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