WE CAN'T GO BACK, AND WE WON'T GO BACK

The Budget Can't Be Balanced on the Back of People with Disabilities

This is not possible without you! Please join us, wear red, and be ready to advocate.

All are welcome! If you can come early, there are more opportunities to be visible:

9:30 to 10:00 AM: Stand on Lawyer's Mall to greet legislators as they walk to the State House.

9:45 AM: Take a seat in the gallery of the House or Senate on the 2nd floor of the State House as the sessions begin.

10:15 AM to 12:00 PM: Stop into your legislators’ offices to deliver your story. We will be in touch soon with more details and a guide.

If you do come early, there will be time before the rally. You may be able to find somewhere to sit in the House or Senate buildings or grab food or drink somewhere nearby.  

How to Prepare

If you want to go into the State House, Senate, or House buildings, remember to bring your state-issued ID - you cannot get in without it!

Wear something red.

While we will have posters and signs there for attendees, feel free to bring your own! Just remember that sticks and poles on signs are not allowed.

Plan for parking! Look into options before you come.

Paid parking is available at these places. They are not too far from Lawyer's Mall.



• Gotts Garage
• Knighton Garage
• Whitmore Garage 
• Graduate Annapolis Hotel

If you are coming with a large group, it may help to have group transportation.

Proposed cuts to the DDA Budget from the Moore Administration include $155.4 million in General (State) Funds, and $310.8 million in Total Funds with the federal matching dollars. More specifically, the proposed cuts would:

Change the Dedicated Hours Policy, which cuts $27.1 million in General Funds, and $54.2 million in Total Funds, affecting 3,800 people and 200 or more providers.

This would change existing policy and rate structure to reduce access to 1:1 and 2:1 staffing. It would also mandate training for providers and Coordinators of Community Services staff on the dedicated hour policy.

Impact: This cut would result in the loss of dedicated (one-to-one or two-to-one) staff for many people in three services – Community Living Group Home, Community Living Group Home Enhanced, and Supported Living. 

Reduce Self-Directed Wages, which cuts $62.2 million in General Funds, and $124.4 million in Total Funds, affecting up to 4,000+ people who self-direct and hire their own staff.

This would reduce the reasonable and customary wages allowed under self-directed services by aligning wages with Bureau of Labor Statistics data used to set community provider rates. It would also eliminate the option of a wage exception.

Impact: This cut would result in the inability to pay higher wages for people who need to do so in order to hire and retain staff.

Cap Individual Budgets at $500,000, which cuts $66.1 million in General Funds, and $132.2 million in Total Funds, impacting 1,600 people with budgets over $500,000. Of these 1,600 people, 820 have services that cost more than $500,000, who would lose services if they don’t get an exception.

This would establish an annual cap of $500,000 per person for services in someone’s plan. This would require an exception process to get federal approval and a federal waiver amendment.

Impact: This cut would affect people with the most complex medical and behavioral needs, both in the self-direction and the community provider models. 

DDA services are vital to supporting Marylanders with developmental disabilities to live, learn, work, and play in their community. The 1999 Supreme Court Olmstead decision said people with disabilities have the right to get services in the most integrated setting.  

These proposed cuts threaten the system that makes that right a reality in Maryland.