Throughout Black History Month, DRM is honoring Black leaders that made a significant impact on disability rights on our Instagram and Facebook pages.

We began the series by sharing Lois Curtis’ story. After 18 years living in an institution, Lois bravely fought for her right to live in the community as a lead plaintiff in the landmark Supreme Court case, Olmstead v. L.C.. The Olmstead decision (1999) recognized the right of people with disabilities to live in their own homes and receive services in their own communities as part of the Americans with Disabilities Act and Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act.

We honor and thank Lois Curtis for her strength, perseverance and advocacy for people with disabilities!

In this podcast episode of Committable, we learn that a person being involuntarily committed has very few rights and protections through this traumatizing process. Involuntary commitment is a legal process through which an individual can be forcibly detained and treated against their will in a psychiatric hospital.

DRM’s Legal Director, Luciene Parsley explains the process for involuntary commitment, who decides if a person should be committed, and what criteria is used in Maryland. “I don't believe forcing people into treatment is going to solve the problem, and there's no way individuals are going to remain in treatment, engage in treatment, if they're forced. What I've seen over and over again, is that peer support and engaging people where they are is our best shot at trying to make sure people stay alive and healthy and not traumatized by the system.” -Luciene Parsley, DRM Legal Director

Developmental Disabilities Day (DD Day) at the Legislature will take place in Annapolis on Wednesday, February 22, 2023. It’s one of Maryland's largest days of events for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities!

DD Day is hosted by the Developmental Disabilities Coalition, which is made up of DRM, The Arc Maryland, The Maryland Association of Community Services, The Maryland Developmental Disabilities Council, and People on the Go of Maryland. Attendees will hear from legislators and fellow advocates and learn about legislation that will impact people with developmental disabilities and their families this legislative session. We will share photos and takeaways in the next Spotlight. 

Thank You for 6 Years of Service!

After 6 years of dedicated service as a DRM board member, Rebecca Sinclair has reached the end of her term. We are grateful for her intentional and impactful work with DRM especially during the COVID 19 pandemic.

"DRM is fortunate to have committed, and generous board members who give us the resources and capacity to extend our outreach and the scope of our work. Rebecca stands out as a board member DRM could always count on and we are so incredibly grateful for her expertise and dedication." -Robin Murphy, DRM Executive Director

DRM is the designated Protection and Advocacy (P&A) organization in Maryland. What is a P&A? P&As were established by federal law to advance the legal rights of people with all types of disabilities, of all ages, statewide. Every state and US territory has a P&A. These organizations are members of the National Disability Rights Network or the P&A system. 

Congress established the P&A System in 1975 in response to inhumane conditions in institutional facilities for people with disabilities. In creating and funding the P&As, Congress granted us unique authority to conduct investigations of suspected abuse and neglect of individuals with disabilities in facilities. All P&As provide free legal services to residents of any age with all types of disabilities (developmental, intellectual, psychiatric, physical, sensory, learning, traumatic brain injury), who live in facilities, in the community or who are homeless.

DRM is committed to advancing the civil rights of people with disabilities. Please consider a contribution to partner with us in achieving our goals.