Maryland Down Syndrome Advocacy Coalition - MDAC

08/06/2026

Applications are now open for the next class of Maryland Partners in Policymaking®! Partners in Policymaking is a nationally recognized leadership and advocacy training program for adults with developmental disabilities and family members of children with developmental disabilities. Participants build the knowledge, skills, and connections needed to create meaningful change in their communities and across Maryland.

Apply by September 4th at https://thearcmd.org/partners/

Your experience and voice matter, and your leadership can make a difference!

07/30/2026

A handful of MDAC members made their voices heard in DC today, showing up in person at the Capitol to support S. 5046. Their presence at the hearing helped highlight the critical importance of protecting special education programs from being transferred out of the Department of Education. Today was an inspiring display of grassroots advocacy that directly contributed to the bill successfully passing out of the HELP Committee! Thank you to those who attended!

🎉Advocacy works! We recently sent out an action alert supporting S. 5046, introduced by Senators Tim Kaine (D-VA), Susan Collins (R-ME), and Lisa Murkowski (R-AK). This morning it passed out of the HELP Committee. If it becomes law, the bill will prohibit the Department of Education from transferring major offices responsible for special education, vocational rehabilitation, elementary and secondary education, postsecondary education, and Native American education to other federal agencies. It would also prevent the Department from using interagency agreements (IAAs), contracting, or other administrative authorities to bypass Congress and transfer these responsibilities indirectly. The amendment to include the Office of Civil Rights in this bill was tabled (not voted on yet).

Senators Collins and Murkowski voted in favor of the bill, along with all the Democrats on the HELP committee (Senator Paul did not vote). The tally was 13 in favor and 9 opposed. You can find all the committee members at [https://www.help.senate.gov/about/members](https://www.help.senate.gov/about/members). If your Senator voted to pass the bill, please contact their office with a thank you message and tag and thank them on social media please!
We do not yet know the next steps for how the bill will come to the Senate floor for a vote (possibly attached to another bill), but this is a very encouraging first step. NDSC wants to thank all the advocates who contacted their Senators about this bill and those local advocates who attended the hearing in person!

Pictured above are some of the Maryland and Virginia advocates who showed up for the hearing!

07/08/2026

VanderPloeg and Lee: The move won’t reduce bureaucracy but could lead to confusion, duplicative processes and hurdles, and inconsistent guidance.

06/27/2026

Gov. Wes Moore proposed budget cuts to the Developmental Disabilities Administration this year as he worked to solve a more than $1 billion deficit. The state said the cuts were needed to comply with federal Medicaid rules and to address rising program costs over the past several years.

But many families say the state’s explanation was a manufactured excuse and that the cuts are falling hard on the program that serves them, known as self-direction, and worry that they’ll have to find outside staff or providers.

Read more: https://bit.ly/44vsNTJ

📸: Steve Pierce/Spotlight on Maryland

06/24/2026

Over 600 undersigned disability, civil rights, and education organizations, including MDAC, strongly oppose the Administration's efforts to transfer the Office of Special Education and Rehabilitative Services (OSERS) from the U.S. Department of Education (ED) to the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) and the Office for Civil Rights (OCR) to the Department of Justice (DOJ) through Interagency Agreements (IAAs). “These agreements undermine the core foundation of federal disability, education, and civil rights policy and implementation.”

CEC joins nearly 600 disability, civil rights, and education organizations in opposing the Administration's efforts to transfer OSERS to HHS and OCR to DOJ through Interagency Agreements (IAAs). These agreements undermine the core foundation of federal disability, education, and civil rights policy and implementation.

Read more: https://exceptionalchildren.org/blog/broad-coalition-disability-civil-rights-and-education-organizations-denounces-eds-latest

06/23/2026

Honoring Olmstead: Maryland’s Unwavering Promise to Community Living

On the 27th anniversary of the landmark Olmstead Supreme Court decision, the Maryland Department of Disabilities reaffirms a core civil rights principle: people with disabilities belong in their communities.

Olmstead established that the unnecessary segregation of individuals with disabilities is unlawful discrimination. While recent federal guidance has raised questions about the scope of state obligations, Maryland’s commitment remains absolute. Community living promotes dignity, independence, and stronger communities for everyone.

True inclusion is not just about where services are delivered; it is about providing meaningful choice, equal opportunity, and the supports needed to succeed. Maryland will continue working alongside advocates, families, and partners to protect and expand community-based services, ensuring the promise of Olmstead remains a reality for generations to come.

Use the link to read the full statement from MDOD. https://bit.ly/4fZufF5

06/22/2026

Today is the anniversary of Olmstead v. L.C., the Supreme Court decision that affirmed the right of people with disabilities to live in their communities. And today, that right is at risk.

A new Department of Justice opinion says the federal government may stop enforcing one of the strongest protections people with disabilities have against institutionalization.

This opinion doesn’t erase Olmstead or take away the regulations that protect community living. But it’s dangerous because rights mean less when the federal government refuses to enforce them.

Our Senior Executive Officer Shira Wakschlag, told NPR: “This opinion is a direct threat to decades of progress toward community living for people with disabilities. People with disabilities shouldn't be forced into institutions because a state refuses to provide services in the community.”

Olmstead has helped millions be a part of their communities and live the lives they choose. We cannot go backward.

Read the NPR article: https://www.npr.org/2026/06/20/nx-s1-5865100/doj-memo-trump-disability-civil-rights-institutionalization

06/20/2026

The Office of Legal Counsel opinion released Thursday said states aren't required by law to integrate mentally disabled patients with their peers by providing community or home-based care.

06/20/2026

A child should not lose learning time while their family gets bounced between federal agencies.

This week, the Department of Education said it plans to move key offices that help students with disabilities out of the Department of Education. That means families could face more confusion, more delays, and more barriers when students with disabilities need help at school.

Students with disabilities are public education students first. Their education, rights, and futures belong in the Department of Education.

Tell Congress to oppose moving these offices and the services they provide out of the Department of Education.

Take action now: https://bit.ly/4xUOlqD