In late 2017, DRM launched an investigation in response to disturbingallegations of neglect and abuse surrounding the suicide of Anne Green (a fictitious name is being used to protect the identity of our client). A young woman with disabilities, including serious mental illness, Anne was placed in a restrictive housing unit days before she took her life at the Maryland Correctional Institute for Women (MCIW).
Though DRM’s initial involvement in the case focused on one individual’s tragic death, ultimately, DRM expanded its advocacy to include a statewide legislative push for institutional reform, demanding a stop to the damaging practices of abuse, neglect, and prison segregation for people with serious mental illness that afflicted Anne in the last days of her life.Click here to read the full story on the DRM blog >>
DRM’s Leslie Margolis Urges Stronger COVID-19 Response from MSDE
Leslie Seid Margolis, DRM’s Managing Attorney, has joined the ranks of Maryland legislators, teachers, and advocates demanding a stronger response to COVID-19 from Maryland State Superintendent Karen Salmon. A Baltimore Sun article reported on July 29 that the Maryland State Department of Education (MSDE) has failed to provide a concrete plan for supporting schools this fall, instead only offering noncommittal suggestions to local school districts. As Margolis says in the article, suggestions are not enough. Click here to read full story on the DRM blog >>
Leslie Seid Margolis,
DRM Managing Attorney
DRM Presents 2020 Gayle Hafner Grassroots Advocacy Award to Consumers for Accessible Ride Services (CARS)
From Left to Right: Will Fields, Imani Graham (front), Nicole Fincham (back), Linda Merkle (front), Phillip Freeman (back), May Robinson, Former DRM Staff Attorney Katheryn Anderson, Debbie Benadaret, and Floyd Hartley (front).
Disability Rights Maryland (DRM) is pleased to announce Consumers for Accessible Ride Services (CARS) as the honoree for the 2020 Gayle Hafner Grassroots Advocacy Award. This prestigious award honors members of the community who have succeeded in creating substantial positive change for Marylanders with disabilities through grassroots activism. A remarkable team of Baltimore self-advocates with disabilities, CARS is a close partner of Disability Rights Maryland in the struggle for accessible public transit. DRM will present the award to CARS' Chairman Floyd Hartley, on behalf of the full CARS team, at the virtual 2020 Breaking Barriers Awards Gala on Nov. 12, 2020.Click here to read the full announcement >>
Judith Heumann and
"Crip Camp: A Disability Revolution"
NPR's The Kojo Nnamdi Show rebroadcast a program late August on the Netflix documentary "Crip Camp: A Disability Revolution,” featuring James LeBrecht and Judith Heumann who retell their riveting stories of the genesis of the disability rights movement in the 1970’s at a Catskills summer camp.
Barack and Michelle Obama were executive producers for the documentary under their Higher Ground Productions company. LeBrecht recounts the inspiration behind the documentary and the origins and evolution of the movement for disability rights. Heumann also speaks about the origins of her activism as well as discusses the future of the disability rights movement. Click here to listen to the full episode >>
