The Arc Maryland Statewide Convention & Awards Banquet

Late last month, close to 300 advocates with IDD, family members, and support staff from organizations joined together in Ellicott City for our State Convention and Awards Banquet! The day kicked off with a plenary session from internationally recognized thought leader, public speaker, poet, and advocate Russell Lehmann. Throughout a day of discovery and learning, 35 community leaders were recognized for their impact on the lives of Marylanders with intellectual and developmental disabilities.The convention would not have been possible without the involvement of the 10 local chapters of The Arc in Maryland, the subject matter experts/presenters from around the state (who provided 11 different breakout sessions), and our generous sponsors, exhibitors, and advertisers! Pictures from the convention and awards events can be found on our Facebook page!

Thank you to everyone who joined us for the special day!

Welcome to New Board Members, and Farewell to Bill Oliver

Starting their terms in July 2023 are four community leaders who are joining The Arc Maryland's Board of Directors! Please join us in welcoming Adrian Forsythe, Pamela Leach, Pamela Palmer, and Eugene Mark, Jr. to our Board. We would also like to thank and congratulate our former Treasurer and long-time Board Member, Bill Oliver, who has finished his final term on our Board of Directors. Thank you Bill!

Pictured here is Bill Oliver, outgoing Treasurer of The Arc Maryland

Adrian Forsythe, Director at Large

Prince George's County

Pamela Leach, Director at Large

Prince George's County

Eugene Mark, Jr., Treasurer

Montgomery County

Pamela Palmer, Director at Large

Howard County

Free Access to The Arc@School

We are excited to partner with The Arc US and The Lids Foundation to provide family members with free access to TheArc@School: The Arc US’s online education advocacy curriculum. The Arc@School provides info that parents and family members need to support their loved ones in navigating special education, including understanding the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA), Early Intervention Services, Individualized Education Programs (IEPs), 504 Plans, and more! Families can access the curriculum for free by completing the interest form below!

Empowering Partners - June Meetings

Are you a person with intellectual and/or developmental disabilities looking to connect with other people in your local community? Every month, self-advocacy group members across Maryland meet to discuss issues important to them through Empowering Partners! Check out the June meeting dates on our website below! For more information on joining a group near you, contact Natalie Dohner at ndohner@thearcmd.org.

Empowering Partners is a project funded in part by the Maryland Developmental Disabilities Council. 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.

Color My World- Download the Together We're Better Coloring Book and have Fun in the Sun!

The 2023 Together We're Better Coloring book is a hit! Students from several high schools in the state contributed drawings to show "Unity in our Community." So, if you are heading to the beach, or just looking for something fun to do on a rainy day in, download and print our coloring book from the link below, grab a handful of crayons or markers, and go to town!

Maryland Department of Disabilities - IT AI Webinar Series

Social Media & Outreach

June 21st at 1 PM

Today, much of our public information is shared primarily through social media. It is important to make sure that as many people as possible are able to understand your message. This webinar from the Maryland Department of Disabilities introduces the tools you need to make sure your socials are reaching those with disabilities and tips for creating accessible content across platforms.

DDA Appendix K Flexibilities Ending June 30th

With President Biden announcing the end of the COVID-19 Public Health Emergency, The Appendix K- a document that allowed certain Medicaid Waiver flexibilities- will also end on June 30th in Maryland. As the DDA Appendix K flexibilities end, people should be aware of what flexibilities in services and requirements have been made permanent/ongoing, and which will be stopped. In response to feedback and advocacy from the community, the DDA has made a number of flexibilities permanent. Earlier this year, DDA had a webinar to clarify what will happen as the Appendix K ends. You can watch the webinar below.

Mark Your Calendars!

Support The Arc Maryland

Are you looking for ways to support The Arc Maryland throughout the year? We have many opportunities for ways in which you can give! Help us continue to grow and support our work to create a world where children and adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities have and enjoy equal rights and opportunities!