The Arc Maryland Celebrates Disability Pride Month in July!

We are proud to celebrate Disability Pride Month with the Carroll County Public Library in Westminster! The Together We're Better artwork, displayed at the library this month from state-wide submissions, demonstrates the value and importance of inclusion, equity, diversity, and belonging of all students! Next month, the artwork display makes its way to Finksburg Library in Carroll County! For more information on the TWB program, our assemblies, art contests, and traveling art display, go to http://www.thearcmd.org/programs/twb/

Every July, we celebrate Disability Pride Month - an opportunity to honor the history, achievements, experiences, and ongoing efforts for equity and equal rights of the disability community! The Arc of the United States shared ways you can celebrate - check them out through the button here!

Nominations for the 2nd Annual Disability Pride Month Governor's Awards are now open! Submit nominations for people making a difference in their communities through the button here. Nominations are accepted until July 31, 2023.

Save the Date - The Arc Maryland's SpArc Tank- Ig-Nite

November 16th

Join us for SpArc Tank Ig-Nite, our premiere event supporting the development of new technology, resources, devices, or other initiatives to enhance the lives of children and adults with IDD in Maryland! On the evening of November 16th, four organizations will compete for funding of up to $10,000 through pitches to our "SpArc Tank" of board members!

Over the past 4 years, we have funded 20 innovative projects- from innovative training to underserved populations to new technology for independence- across the state with close to $130,000 investment. If you are interested in submitting a project idea, the opportunity for you to do so returns in just a couple of weeks. Stay tuned to our facebook page for the announcement!

In the meantime, check out our SpArc Tank Impact Report below!

The Arc Maryland Hosts Meet and Greet for Spanish-Speaking Families with MDOD Secretary Carol Beatty

The Arc Maryland is partnering with the Maryland Department of Disabilities Secretary Carol Beatty, and Director of Employment Policy, Jade Gingrich to engage with Spanish-speaking families today as they discuss their needs and hopes for their loved ones. We expect over 40 attendees to share their stories and look forward to incorporating their feedback in our outreach plans! Thank you to the Maryland Department of Disabilities for this opportunity and your commitment to enhancing access and equity for all Marylanders with IDD!

A Summer of Inclusion Through The Together We're Better Diversity Celebration Toolkit

Students can enhance their summer reading lists and learning with our Diversity Celebration Toolkit! The toolkit goals and activities aligns with Maryland State Curriculum Indicators and the collection of books, websites, videos, and other resources helps students understand the value of inclusion and the diverse abilities of all students. Check it out through the button below!

This project is supported by the Administration for Community Living (ACL), U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) as part of a financial assistance award totaling $1,201,464 with 100% funding by ACL/HHS. The contents are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily represent the official views of, nor an endorsement, by ACL/HHS, or the U.S. Government.

Submit Policy Feedback to the DDA

The DDA regularly seeks feedback on policy updates. Currently, the Department is seeking public input on the draft policy on Housing Support Services. Their public comments are open until July 28th and can be submitted by email to wfb.dda@maryland.gov.

Tell Congress: Care Can't Wait

People with disabilities rely on Medicaid home and community-based services (HCBS) to live independently in their communities. HCBS help people with disabilities with everyday support, like getting around the community, employment supports, dressing, bathing, taking medication, and much more!

Due to the fact that Medicaid must fund institutions, and HCBS are optional, states don't have the funding to support everyone in the community. This means that:

• Over 650,000 people nationally are stuck on waiting lists,
• Direct care workers are underpaid due to stagnant funding, and
• Too often unpaid family caregivers are filling in the gaps in service – it’s a crisis! 

We need Congress to take action now! Tell your members of Congress to support the HCBS Access Act, which will mandate community supports and services in Medicaid because Care Can't Wait!

Tell Congress: Support the SSI Savings Penalty Elimination Act

The Supplemental Security Income (SSI) program provides critical support for millions of people with disabilities to help afford the basics of everyday life, like food and rent. However, SSI has many rules that make it hard for people to save money and get out of poverty. It has an asset limit that has not been updated since 1989! Assets include cash, money in bank accounts, most retirement accounts, and other financial resources.

Right now, people who get SSI can only have $2,000 in assets, while married couples can only have $3,000. These limits create barriers for people with disabilities to save money, and the married couple asset cap penalizes couples who receive SSI and want to get married. Click the button below to urge your U.S. Senators to support people with disabilities by co-sponsoring the bipartisan SSI Savings Penalty Elimination Act.

Photo credit: Liberal Jane Illustration

Autism Waiver Amendments

The Arc Maryland will be submitting comments to the Maryland Department of Health (MDH) related to their CMS application for proposed amendments to the Autism Waiver, effective July 1, 2023.  

The Autism Waiver provides various home and community-based services to support program participants and enable them to remain in their homes and communities. The purpose of the waiver amendment is to:



1. Increase Intensive Individual Support Service (IISS) units to 40 hours per week;
2. Legally responsible individuals are able to be paid caregivers for providing IISS when they are qualified to provide the services;
3. Increase FY24 autism waiver slots by 1350 for a total of 2950;
4. Establish registry requirements for military families and response time frames to the invitation;
5. Clarify the requirement for informed consent prior to the use of virtual supports;
6. Include an exemption option to the definition of electronic visit verification (EVV) requirements for live-in caregivers to clock in and out; and
7. Transition from the AW Registry to the AW Waitlist to comply with SB636 by determining technical eligibility for AW enrollment in order to be placed on the waitlist.

If you would like to provide stories or feedback to The Arc Maryland to include in our written comments, please contact Ande Kolp, Executive Director of The Arc Maryland, prior to July 24, 2023.

New Streaming Service To Focus on Disabilities

ReelAbilities, a streaming service showcasing films connected to the disability experience, launched earlier this month! Many award-winning feature-length and short films are available on the website for rental from $1.99 to $3.99. Read more from Disability Scoop and check out the website below!

Support The Arc Maryland

Are you looking for ways to support the work of The Arc Maryland? We have many opportunities for ways in which you can give! See below or contact sdols@thearcmd.org for more information.

Or mail your donation to:

The Arc Maryland

Attn: Annual Charity Campaign

8601 Robert Fulton Drive, Suite 140

Columbia, MD 21046