Staff and self-advocates from The Arc of Southern Maryland were among the more than 600 registered participants for the 2016 Developmental Disabilities Day (DD Day) of Advocacy in Annapolis. This annual event brings together representatives from developmental disability organizations from across Maryland. The attendees meet with their elected state officials, inform and advocate about legislation that impacts the DD community.

Every day tens of thousands of Marylanders with DD and their families are impacted by the public policy decisions made by the Legislature. DD Day, provides them an opportunity to communicate with their elected representatives. Some of the issues include, but are not limited, to the amount of funding available for DD services, civil rights issues like housing and transportation accessibility, and education (including higher education).

Some of advocacy efforts this year will focus on legislation for the ABLE Act, Equal EmploymentOpportunity Act, Waiting List, Direct Support Staff Wage, the Governor’sProposed Budget and more!