-- By the Numbers: A  Year in Review --
2015 Top 10 Countdown!
#10
9075 Facebook users who viewed posts about the Council's 2nd Annual photo contest titled A Picture is Worth 1,000 Words: Side-by-Side, Living a Full Life in the Community 

#9
429  free copies   distributed of
About 2,000 copies have been distributed since 2012. Planning Now is a comprehensive, easy to use futures and estate planning guide for families of children and adults with developmental disabilities. Topics covered include financial and healthcare benefits, wills, trusts, tax considerations, financial planning and others. Available in English & Spanish.

#8 

10  small grants awarded by the Council resulted in, among other contributions: 

  • 1 high school senior published Our Stories about the joys and challenges of having a sibling with developmental disabilities. 

  • 40 provider agency staff received training that increased their ability to help people with developmental disabilities find and keep meaningful work with competitive pay in community businesses.
  • 29 Boy Scouts in Southern Maryland participated in Building Bridges, a disabilities awareness workshop, and received merit badges.
#7
320,839 dollars invested by the Council in grants in 2015, with a focus on leadership & self-advocacy, employment and family & community supports. Look for more information in   Highlights, our soon to be released annual report.
#6        


15 committees, commissions, and work groups advocates from   People On the Go (POG) have been appointed to serve on. POG operates through a core grant from the DD Council, making it possible for them to bring the voice of people with disabilities to the table front and center-- "Nothing about me, without me!"

#5
were developed for Governor Hogan and the legislature by The Task Force to Study the Impact of Expanding Credit & Noncredit Courses for Students with Intellectual & Developmental Disabilities. If implemented there will be improved access in Maryland to colleges and universities for students with intellectual and developmental disabilities. The Council played a lead role in drafting the recommendations and will advocate adoption. Find more information about higher education options for transitioning youth in Maryland  here.

#4



186 people attended the first ever statewide Sibling Conference in Maryland. Sponsored by the Council,
"MDSibs2015" set a national record for attendance at an event focused on siblings of individual with disabilities! Some comments: "Today was amazing! ...Thank you MDSibs 2015 for giving me the reassurance and strength to keep doing what I do" and "We finally found our people!" More sib resources here!

#3

954 advocates and providers trained in employment, job development, advocacy, transition, self-determination, and person-centered planning as a result of Council support.
#2

42 bills the Council provided testimony on informing legislators about the impact each bill would have on people with developmental disabilities and their families. The Council played a lead role in passing legislation that established the Ethan Saylor Alliance for Self-Advocates as Educators and a task Force to design the  MD ABLE program.

#1
From left clockwise: Jayla, Brandon & Shaun
14,000 child care providers throughout MD will receive training on the ADA and inclusive practices as a direct result of Council action this past year. The mandatory training will include  and are new resources available nationally to child care providers, families, trainers and others.  

Maryland Developmental Disabilities Council 
217 E. Redwood St., Suite 1300, Baltimore, MD 21202
 info@md-council.org | md-council.org | 1.800.305.6441 | MD Relay: 711