We advocate for the value, acceptance and inclusion of all people with Down syndrome. We are a proud member of the Maryland Down Syndrome Advocacy Coalition. We pledge to help our elected officials get to know real people with Down syndrome and their families.
Lifespan Respite Care Reauthorization Act (S. 995/ HR 2035) would reauthorize the Lifespan Respite Care Program to provide grants to states, help build coordinated state lifespan respite systems, help family caregivers pay for respite or find funding sources, encourage development of new and innovative community and faith-based respite opportunities, and trains respite workers and volunteers
The current Autism CARES Act (S. 427/H.R. 1058), set to expire on September 30, 2019, provides $260 million annually to autism research, surveillance, and education programs at the National Institutes of Health (NIH), Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), and Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA)
Last week, NDSC received word that the US Department of Education (ED) was planning to release guidance in the immediate future that would likely make it more difficult than it already is for children with disabilities to be educated in the least restrictive environment (LRE) under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA).
Historic legislation just passed! The Senate just passed HB420 and SB417 is headed for a final vote in the House. The bill, Individuals With Disabilities - Minimum Wage and Community Integration (Ken Capone Equal Employment Act), will phase out the use of 14c certificates that have existed since 1938 and made it possible to pay people with disabilities sub-minimum wage.
We have worked for nearly a decade at the federal level and now at the state level to pass the ABLE so that people with disabilities can open up 529A “ABLE” Accounts to say money for many different disability-related expenses without losing their eligibility for much-needed benefits like SSI and Medicaid. (See www.ndss.org/able and www.ndss.org/stateable for more information on ABLE).
he newest version of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act (ESEA), now renamed the Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA), passed the House today with a vote of 359-64. It is expected to fly through the Senate, and President Obama will likely sign the new bill by the end of the year.
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The Achieving a Better Life Experience (ABLE) Act gives individuals with disabilities and their families the ability to save for their child’s future just like every other American family, and help people with disabilities live full, productive lives in their communities without losing benefits provided through private insurances, the Medicaid program, the supplemental security income program, the beneficiary’s employment, and other sources.
It covers almost 200 words and terms commonly used when referring to disability, most of which are not covered in The Associated Press style guide.
The Maryland Developmental Disabilities Council’s mission is to advance the inclusion of people with developmental disabilities in all facets of community life by eliminating barriers, creating opportunities, empowering people, and promoting innovation.
Last week, The Arc unveiled its new Census 2020 resource page. The resources include videos and written materials for people with disabilities and community organizations.