The ADA owes its legacy not to one person, but to thousands of people who make up the disability rights movement - people who have worked for years organizing and attending protests, sending out alerts, drafting legislation, speaking, testifying, negotiating, lobbying, filing lawsuits - doing what they could for a cause they believed in. It began with the establishment of local groups advocating for the rights of people with disabilities and the establishment of the independent living movement which challenged people with disabilities being institutionalized. 

The ADA is one of America's most comprehensive pieces of civil rights legislation that prohibits discrimination. It guarantees that people with disabilities have the same opportunities as everyone else to participate in the mainstream of American life.  It is modeled after the Civil Rights Act of 1964, which prohibits discrimination on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, or national origin. The ADA is an "equal opportunity" law for people with disabilities.  Disability is defined by the ADA as "a physical or mental impairment that substantially limits one or more major life activities, a person who has a history or record of such an impairment, or a person who is perceived by others as having such an impairment." 

ADA.gov  has detailed technical information regarding standards, compliance, and accommodations. The 

Mid-Atlantic ADA Center  is part of the ADA National Network  and educates the public and is a resource for guidance on compliance of the ADA requirements.

Governor Larry Hogan held a Mid-Shore Cabinet Meeting at American Legion Dorchester Post 91 in Cambridge, Md. The day-long visit included stops by the Governor, Lt. Governor, Cabinet Secretaries, and administration officials throughout the area. Secretary Beatty joined the Governor to kick the day off with a breakfast tour of the Benedictine School. Following the cabinet meeting, she visited the Hyatt Regency Chesapeake Bay. The Hyatt partners with Dorchester County Schools and community agencies to provide job training and employment for people with disabilities. Secretary Beatty joined MD Department of Human Services Secretary Lourdes Padilla at Delmarva Community Services to learn more about the 2Gen pilot project focused on breaking the cycle of multi generational poverty. Deputy Secretary Frank and Director of Health and Behavioral Health Policy, Kirsten Robb-McGrath, visited  Chesapeake Voyagers Wellness and Recovery Program, where peer support is the foundation of the program. Secretary Beatty joined Lt. Governor Boyd Rutherford for a late afternoon stop at Benedictine Employment and Community Services. Participants in Benedictine's Supported Employment program have the opportunity to work competitively in local and regional businesses including food service, hospitality, and retail. 

National Champs Shooting Stars Cheer Team kicked the cabinet meeting off with a rousing start. Afterwards, they were presented a Governor's Citation. You make Maryland proud!

Secretary Beatty, Secretary Kramer, and Secretary Padilla,  jointly recognized Delmarva Community Services President & CEO, Santo Grande, for his years of service and commitment to the mid-shore community. 

MD Technology Assistance Program sadly said goodbye to one of our assistive technology specialists, Erin Swann. Erin made a tremendous impact with her extensive knowledge and can-do attitude. She was always willing to try something new, and even appeared on Al Jazeera's  The Stream.  We wish her the best on her new adventure.