IN THE COMMUNITY
MARCH 2009
Martin O’Malley, Governor - Anthony G. Brown, Lt. Governor
Catherine Raggio, Secretary - George P. Failla, Jr., Deputy Secretary
In This Issue:
Message From The Secretary
The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act, also known as the Stimulus Package, provides states with ample opportunities to reinvigorate the economy, while at the same time, invest in worthy programs, such as Special Education, and in infrastructure projects, such as ADA compliant sidewalks. At this point, though, I am casting an eye down the I-95 corridor toward HUD and the possibility for much needed vouchers, i.e., rent subsidies, that will provide the means for people with disabilities receiving SSI or SSDI to obtain permanent rental housing.
Why are vouchers so important? First, they have gradually diminished during the past eight (8) years while waiting lists for subsidized housing in all of Maryland’s large jurisdictions have grown. Second, there are thousands of people with various disabilities waiting for rent subsidies. Their lives are on hold for the most part while they wait.
- Who are the people waiting for rent subsidies?
- People with mental illness, some of whom are ready to move from residential rehabilitation programs to their own apartments;
- People with physical disabilities living in nursing facilities, who could live on their own with services through the Living At Home Medicaid Waiver;
- People with developmental disabilities who either live with their families or in alternative living units but who want to be more independent; and
- People with all disabilities who stay in shelters or live with relatives or friends, hoping to be able to afford a place of their own some day.
So much of our work at MDOD depends upon housing. If we can meet people’s need for housing, then they can begin to move forward in their lives by finding jobs or obtaining additional education. I am hopeful that the Obama Administration understands this and we will see ample housing vouchers for people with disabilities coming into our state.
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Stimulus Package Brings Billions to Maryland
The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) is bringing billions to Maryland in the form of investments in the State’s transportation infrastructure, education funding for public schools, and increased access to quality health care. While the O’Malley Administration anticipates approximately $3.8 billion coming to Maryland, the full impact of the ARRA funding will not be know for the next few weeks or even months. For people with disabilities there are a number of significant investments including:
- $208 million for the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) program. IDEA provides funds to ensure children with disabilities receive early intervention, special education and other related services so important for them to meet their full potential.
- $7.8 million for the Maryland Division of Rehabilitation Services (DORS) programs, part of the Maryland State Department of Education. DORS provides leadership and support in promoting employment and economic self-sufficiency and independence for individuals with disabilities. The ARRA stimulus includes: $6,879,192 for Vocational Rehabilitation Services; $629,924 Services for Older Individuals who are blind; and $249,474 for State Independent Living Services.
Approximately $180 million for Maryland’s Title I program. Title 1 funding provides additional academic support and learning opportunities to help low-achieving children master challenging curricula and meet state standards in core academic subjects. It also supports extra instruction in reading and mathematics, additional teachers, materials of instruction, as well as after-school and summer programs to extend and reinforce the regular school curriculum.
Governor O’Malley has also announced more than $13.5 million in funding for the upgrade of sidewalks and the installation of accessible pedestrian traffic signals across the state. The New Hampshire Avenue project was the first project in the nation approved by the Federal Highway Administration under the ARRA. Upgrading 10,000 feet of sidewalk along Georgia Avenue near Wheaton is another project funded as part of the federal stimulus package.
To learn more about ARRA funding coming to Maryland, visit the Maryland American Recovery and Reinvestment Act website, www.recovery.maryland.gov. Updates on stimulus funding will be discussed in the April issue of the In The Community newsletter.
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Employment and Independent Living Focus of DORS April Meetings
Employment and independent living services for people with disabilities will be the focus of three public meetings scheduled for April 2009 in locations across the State. Sponsored by the Maryland State Rehabilitation Council (MSRC) and the Statewide Independent Living Council (SILC), in conjunction with the Division of Rehabilitation Services (DORS), the meetings will focus on DORS funding issues, transitioning services for high school students with disabilities, employment outcomes in difficult economic times and services at the DORS Workforce and Technology Center.
“These public meetings are designed to bring together Marylanders with disabilities, their families, local service organizations and state agencies to discuss a variety of issues affecting employment, self-sufficiency and independence for individuals with disabilities,” said Robert Burns, DORS Director. “We hope to have a productive discussion on a variety of issues, including the expected impact of federal stimulus funds designated for employment services.”
In addition to a presentation by Director Burns, representatives from the Maryland State Rehabilitation Council and local Centers for Independent Living will also speak at the meetings. The events also will allow interested citizens to comment on proposed changes to the State Plan for Vocational Rehabilitation Services as well as the State Plan for Independent Living. Copies of these plans are available from DORS by calling 410-554-9535, 888-554-0334 or sending an email to dors@dors.state.md.us (Vocational Rehabilitation Services) or by calling 410-554-5412 or sending an email to silc@dors.state.md.us (Independent Living).
Dates and Locations:
Thursday, April 2, 2009
2:00 - 3:30 p.m. (VR)
3:30 - 4:30 p.m. (IL)
Easter Seals Intergenerational Center
1420 Spring Street
Silver Spring, MD 20910
Monday, April 13, 2009
2:30 - 4:00 p.m. (VR)
4:00 - 5:00 p.m. (IL)
Workforce & Technology Center
2301 Argonne Drive
Baltimore, MD 21218
Tuesday, April 14, 2009
2:00 - 3:30 p.m. (VR)
3:30 - 4:30 p.m. (IL)
Western MD One-Stop Career Center
138 Baltimore Street
Cumberland, MD 21502
After each meeting, representatives from the MSRC, SILC and DORS staff will be on hand to answer questions about services. Sign language interpreters will be present. Contact DORS at least one week in advance if a foreign language translator is needed. For directions, more information or to arrange accommodations, call 1-888-554-0334.
The Division of Rehabilitation Services (DORS) provides programs and services that promote the employment, economic self-sufficiency and independence ofindividuals with disabilities. DORS is a part of the Maryland State Department of Education. To find out more about DORS, visit www.dors.state.md.us.
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Commemorative Coin Celebrates Legacy of Braille
On March 26, the 2009 Louis Braille Commemorative Dollar will be launched with a celebration at the National Federation of the Blind Jernigan Institute in Baltimore, Maryland. The event will commemorate the 200th anniversary of the birth of Louis Braille, inventor of Braille, a world-wide system used by people who are blind or visually impaired for reading and writing.
Born in France in 1809, Louis Braille lost sight in his left eye at the age of three as a result of an accident in his father’s workshop. After an infection spread to his right eye, Braille became completely blind by the age of four. A student at the Royal Institute for Blind Children in Paris, Braille learned to read by feeling raised letters made by pressing paper against copper wire.
In 1821, Braille was introduced to an invention called “Night Writing” a code of 12 raised dots and a number of dashes that could be combined to represent words by sounds rather than letters. The system had been invented by Charles Barbier, a captain in the French Army. Over the next few months, Braille experimented with different configurations until he found a simpler one using just six dots. By the age of 15, using a blunt awl to punch holes in paper to represent letters, Braille had developed the code that is essentially what is know today as modern Braille.
Today, Braille has been adapted to almost every known language and is used everywhere from bus stops and maps to music notation and text books. The 2009 Louis Braille Commemorative Coin, which features readable Braille, will be available in both proof and uncirculated versions. The obverse (heads) features a portrait of Louis Braille. The reverse (tails) shows a child reading a book in Braille. Surcharges from sales of the 2009 Louis Braille Bicentennial Silver Dollar will support National Federation of the Blind (NFB) programs to promote Braille literacy.
The Commemorative Coin Launch Celebration is part of the NFB’s Braille literacy campaign to increase public awareness about the benefits of Braille and to encourage states to adopt laws that strengthen access to Braille instruction and Braille instructional materials for children who are blind or visually impaired. The campaign also hopes to double the number of school age children reading Braille by 2015 and increase the number of Braille resources available through online sharing of materials, enhanced production methods and improved distribution. According to NFB, there is a significant relationship between Braille and employment with more than 80 percent of Braille reading adults employed. This is significant in a population with a more than 70 percent unemployment rate.
The Commemorative Coin Launch will begin at 10 a.m. and will feature activities for all ages. This also will be an exclusive opportunity to be the first to purchase the Louis Braille coin. The NFB Jernigan Institute is located at 1800 Johnson Street (entrance on Wells Street), Baltimore, Maryland. Preregistration is required. To register or for more information, call NFB at 410-659-9314, ext. 2230 or visit the NFB website: www.nfb.org.
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Maryland Launches Resource Website
Maryland has launched a new website that provides citizens across the state access to state and federal resources. First introduced by Governor Martin O’Malley at a Town Hall Meeting in Frostburg, the website, www.problemsolver.maryland.gov, gives visitors information on a range of services from heating and energy assistance, to employment to information on transportation, and services for veterans and seniors. Individuals with disabilities can access the problemsolver website to access information on assisted living, employment, technology assistance and other State and Federal programs available to qualified individuals.
“We have seen our share of challenges with a downturn in the national economy and a national mortgage crisis. This hasn’t been an easy year and far too many Maryland families are struggling to make ends meet,” said Governor O’Malley. “We know that these winter months, and these uncertain economic times will not be easy for many Maryland families, but it is our hope that this webpage will help Marylanders gain access to programs and services available to them.”
Marylanders with disabilities can click on the “Seniors and People with Disabilities” icon to find information on a variety of programs including: Disability Entitlement Advocacy Program, In Home Aide Services, assisted living programs, respite care, attendant care, Employed Individuals with Disabilities (EID) program, and the Maryland Technology Assistance Program.
Other resources on the site.
Heating or utility assistance information can be found by selecting the utilities and energy icon. Programs and resources such as weatherization assistance, telephone services, and utility service protection in addition to the Maryland Energy Assistance program and the Electric Universal Service Program are all available. The webpage also provides information for job seekers, including links to local employment agencies, vocational training centers, and information on unemployment compensation and how to file a claim.
Marylanders looking to finance a college education can click on the Education icon and will find a number of State resources on financial aid, scholarships, and college savings plans. Maryland’s veterans can find information on education and training programs, scholarships, employment opportunities and other benefits available to them. Marylanders looking for ways to cut costs on driving to work can click on the Transportation icon to find information on ridesharing information, information and incentives on using mass transit and vanpooling to work, and information on discounts for students and seniors.
The webpage also provides a link to an assistance eligibility calculator, which helps Marylanders determine what services they may qualify for, such as food stamps, the Temporary Cash Assistance program, Medical Assistance, the Maryland Energy Assistance Program, and the Electric Universal Service Program, among others.
“Governor O’Malley and I have committed ourselves to strengthening the middle class and we know that working families are struggling during these difficult times,” Lt. Governor Brown said. “We will continue to use every tool we have to reach out and educate Marylanders about the programs and services available to them. This webpage, www.problemsolver.maryland.gov, is one of those tools.”
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Redesigned MDOD Website
On February 19, 2009, the Maryland Department of Disabilities (MDOD) launched a new redesigned website www.mdod.maryland.gov, part of a statewide effort to give all State agencies a uniform look that assures the visitor that they are viewing an authentic state site. The MDOD redesign took in account special considerations and goals that included: creating a model for accessibility; providing constituents with an efficient and direct method to essential information; making sure all information is related to disability resources and services throughout the State; and bringing awareness to and about MDOD’s mission and priorities. These goals and considerations make the site a very useful tool for the disability community.
“The new MDOD site, with updated information and easier navigation, is a useful tool for the public to use to retrieve important information and have access to applications, programs and information,” said Secretary Catherine Raggio. “By tracking pages of interest and monitoring user’s feedback, the site will continue to evolve, making it easier to provide up-to-date information to meet the needs and interests of the disability community.”
The newly re-designed web site features updated disability coding for screen reader friendly menus and structured content, which promotes easy to read dynamic web pages. Good color contrast provides separation of content and background, which allows people with sight impairments to read easily the content. Navigation links to programs, special events, and main content located on either side of all pages, provide quick access to resources, information, and categories. Skip navigation provides easier access to the main content on the pages and allows users to skip links. All these changes make the MDOD site in compliance with the new Web Content 2.0 Accessible Guidelines.
A person using assistive technology or an input device like a keyboard or mouse also now has better access to the type of online forms utilized to ask for more assistance in finding disability related information. Requests for more information on the services and programs the department currently provides are also accessible through online forms. Content paragraphs have been edited to make them shorter, more scan-able and easier to read. Publications and News & Events previously located on various pages on the web site are now located in one central location for one-stop access. These changes reduce the amount of clicks and cut down on the amount of time a user must spend locating information. Tracking and measuring visitors to web site pages will allow MDOD to ensure the site is meeting the needs of people with disabilities.
“This is a strong showing for the Maryland Department of Disabilities and we hope with the new design and ease of usability that the number of visitors to our website will continue to grow,” said Secretary Raggio.
For more information about the Department of Disabilities and its programs, visit the web site at www.mdod.maryland.gov.
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