Maryland Down Syndrome Advocacy Coalition - MDAC

07/23/2025

Happening today!

The Maryland Developmental Disabilities Council and the Maryland Department of Veteran and Military Families are proud to host several upcoming Listening Sessions!

These informative and interactive sessions help to learn about the needs of military-connected families who support family members with developmental disabilities. These sessions help to develop further resources to help families thrive!

In addition to the sessions on September 9th and 11th in Bethesda, there will also be sessions held at NSF Indian Head, NSA Annapolis, and NAS Patuxent River. For more information on any of the sessions, please contact the Maryland Developmental Disabilities Council or the Maryland Department of Veteran and Military Families.

Additional Sessions:
📍Tuesday, September 16 at 10 am--NSF Indian Head
📍Thursday, September 18 at 10 am--Virtual Session on Zoom
📍Wednesday, September 24 at 10 am--NSA Annapolis
📍Thursday, September 25 at 10 am--Virtual Session on Zoom
📍Tuesday, September 30 at 10 am--NAS Pax River
📍Wednesday, October 1 at 10 am--Virtual Session on Zoom

07/21/2025

💫 From National Down Syndrome Congress … 💫

The future of special education is under immediate and serious threat. The Trump Administration is moving aggressively to dismantle the U.S. Department of Education — a move that would have devastating consequences for students with disabilities and the rights and services they rely on under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA).

In March 2025, President Trump signed an Executive Order directing Education Secretary Linda McMahon to begin shutting down the Department and transferring authority over education to the states. This was followed by an attempt to lay off nearly 50% of the Department’s staff — including many career experts who oversee IDEA, provide technical assistance to states, enforce civil rights, and conduct critical research. On July 14, the U.S. Supreme Court lifted a lower court’s stay, allowing these layoffs to proceed while legal challenges are still underway. The Administration has also cut $900 million from essential education programs, including research and teacher training and “froze” $7 billion that was supposed to go to schools on July 1, 2025. In addition to attempting to eliminate the Department entirely, the Administration has put forward proposals to:

Eliminate or consolidate key IDEA programs, including preschool grants and parent training centers and send the funding to states without requiring how the funds will be used; and

Transfer special education functions to the Department of Health & Human Services (HHS) — an agency with no core expertise or infrastructure for supporting students in K–12 education.

Moving special education oversight to HHS would severely fragment services and weaken enforcement of students’ educational rights. HHS is not designed to support K–12 education, and such a shift would make it far harder to coordinate programs, monitor compliance with IDEA, or support inclusive educational practices.

These proposals would:

Eliminate the federal infrastructure that supports innovation, capacity building, and full access across states for children with disabilities;

Undercut IDEA’s commitment to early childhood education;

Undermine federal enforcement of civil rights in education;

Create confusion and reduce accountability across agencies; and

Severely weaken support for students with disabilities and their families.



TAKE ACTION NOW

Congress must act to stop this dangerous dismantling of the Department of Education and the fragmentation of special education services.

Tell your U.S. Senators and Representatives to:

(1) Vote NO on any legislation to abolish the U.S. Department of Education;

(2) Oppose any proposal to block grant IDEA or remove federal oversight of special education funding

(3) Reject efforts to transfer special education programs to the Department of Health & Human Services or any other agency without education expertise; and

(4) Protect the integrity of IDEA and the civil rights of students with disabilities.

Why It Matters:
The U.S. Department of Education plays a vital role in ensuring students with disabilities receive a free and appropriate public education, as required by federal law. It provides funding, technical assistance, monitoring, and enforcement. Dismantling this system would roll back decades of progress and leave millions of students vulnerable. Your voice is critical. Contact Congress today. Urge them to protect the Department of Education, defend IDEA, and ensure students with disabilities continue to receive the services, protections, and opportunities they are entitled to by law.

ASK: We need Congress to stop the dismantling of the Department of Education and vote NO on any legislation that would abolish the Department of Education, distribute it among other federal agencies, or block grant IDEA.

Link: https://www.votervoice.net/mobile/NDSCCenter/Campaigns/123043/Respond

07/21/2025

🚨 Open Seats Available on the Maryland Waiver Advisory Council! 🚨

Do you have lived experience with Medicaid waiver services — either as a person receiving services, a family member, or a provider? Your voice is needed!

The Maryland Department of Health’s Developmental Disabilities Administration (DDA) is actively recruiting new members to join the Waiver Advisory Council. This group plays a key role in helping shape how Medicaid waiver programs are designed and delivered across Maryland.

📣 What You’ll Do:
✅ Advise on how waiver services are set up
✅ Help ensure people get the support they need
✅ Weigh in on rules like the Access Rule
✅ Improve the quality of services statewide

👥 Who Can Join?
• People who use Medicaid waiver services
• Family members or caregivers
• Providers certified by the DDA

🗓️ Meetings every 2 months, in person with a virtual option. The first meeting is October 17, 2024 from 1–2:30 p.m.

📲 Apply now by scanning the QR code on the flyer or filling out the Waiver Advisory Council application. Seats are filled on a rolling basis — don’t wait!

📧 Questions? Contact Rhonda Workman at rhonda.workman@maryland.gov or call 410-767-5600.

Let’s make Maryland’s services stronger — your experience matters.

07/16/2025

✨ A Heartfelt THANK YOU to Our Maryland Legislative Champions! ✨

With this year's legislative session having come to a close, we want to take a moment to again recognize and deeply thank the Maryland legislators who stood with MDAC and the rest of our developmental disability community.

Your support this session made a meaningful difference — especially on issues critical to the Developmental Disabilities Administration (DDA) and the full implementation of the Blueprint for Maryland’s Future, which ensures inclusive, equitable access to quality education for all learners, including those with intellectual and developmental disabilities.

💡 DDA services are more than a safety net — they’re the foundation for a meaningful life for so many Marylanders. These supports help individuals with disabilities live, work, and participate fully in their communities. From personal assistance and job coaching to housing and respite care, DDA makes it possible for thousands of Marylanders to thrive with dignity and independence.

📚 At the same time, the Blueprint for Maryland’s Future represents a transformational investment in public education — one that must work for every child. For students with disabilities, that means access to inclusive classrooms, appropriate supports, and the opportunity to reach their full potential alongside their non-disabled peers. A truly equitable education system leaves no one behind — and your support helps to make that vision a reality.

👏 Because of YOU, conversations around funding, inclusion, community-based supports, and equity weren’t just heard — they were prioritized. Your leadership provides hope and the reassurance that Maryland is a state where all people, regardless of ability, are valued and belong.

To every delegate and senator who met with advocates, supported our priorities, and voted with intention — thank you for showing up.

Thank you, especially, to Speaker Adrienne Jones, Delegate Ashanti Martinez, Delegate Ben Barnes, Delegate Ben Kramer, Senator Bill Ferguson, Senator Brian Feldman, Senator Cory McCray, Delegate Emily Shetty, Delegate Eric Ebersole, Senator Guy Guzzone, Delegate Joseline Peña-Melnyk, Delegate Julie Palakovich Carr, State Senator Mary Washington, PhD, Delegate Michele Guyton, MD District 42B, Delegate Stephanie Smith, Delegate Vanessa Atterbeary, and Secretary Beatty

We see you, we appreciate you, and we’re excited to keep working in partnership toward a more inclusive, equitable Maryland.

07/07/2025

✨ Thank You, Maryland Legislators! ✨

Back in March, we gathered in Annapolis for an unforgettable World Down Syndrome Day of advocacy and celebration — standing alongside families, self-advocates, and community leaders to amplify the voices of individuals with Down syndrome across our state.

Recently, some of our incredible self-advocates took time to write personal thank you notes to the legislators who showed up, listened, and stood with the Maryland Down Syndrome Coalition. To those legislators, your support matters. Your partnership helps to pave the way for a future where every Marylander with Down syndrome is valued, included, and empowered.

To each legislator who took the time to meet with our advocates, celebrate their stories, and champion policies that strengthen disability rights — thank you.

Your allyship fuels real change, and together we’re building a more inclusive Maryland.

A special THANK YOU, in particular, to Delegate Aaron Kaufman, Delegate Cathi Forbes, Chris Tomlinson for State Delegate, Delegate Jessica Feldmark, Pam Lanman Guzzone for State Delegate, Delegate Stuart Schmidt, and Secretary Beatty for your support and dedication. We are so grateful!

07/07/2025

📣 Inclusive education shouldn't hang on a thread.

“Now they’re literally coming to a cliff where there may or may not be additional supports and services for them.” — Liz Zogby, parent of a 14-year-old with Down syndrome

For thousands of young people with intellectual disabilities, programs like TerpsEXCEED offer independence, community, and purpose. But with federal funding in limbo, their futures are uncertain.

https://www.edweek.org/teaching-learning/college-for-students-with-intellectual-disabilities-faces-an-uncertain-future/2025/06 via Education Week

Inclusive higher education programs benefit students with intellectual disabilities. But funding challenges are threatening their growth.

07/03/2025

National Down Syndrome Congress (NDSC) is dismayed about the passage of H.R. 1 (known as the “One Big Beautiful Bill”), which President Trump is expected to sign into law. This bill makes massive cuts and substantial changes to Medicaid, a program on which most people with Down syndrome rely. It will also weaken our healthcare system, cut millions of dollars of Medicaid funding to schools, and further strain state budgets, jeopardizing state-based Home-and Community-Based waiver services (HCBS) that enable people with Down syndrome and other disabilities to live, work, and thrive in their communities. This bill will have significant unintended negative consequences for people with Down syndrome, their families, and those who provide supports.

NDSC would like to thank everyone who raised their voices and shared their stories to protect Medicaid –your efforts do matter! Remember: Advocacy is a marathon, not a sprint. Stay tuned for more information and next steps in this fight.

07/01/2025

🚨ACTION ALERT🚨

In Maryland specifically, we desperately need outreach to Rep. Andy Harris, M.D. (District 1). Currently, Rep. Harris is the only Maryland U.S. Representative in support of this bill.

Rep. Harris may be contacted here: https://msa.maryland.gov/msa/mdmanual/39fed/06ushse/html/msa02793.html

06/26/2025

ACTION ALERT:

Your voices are needed now! Call your Senators. Easy to use Action Alert in post below. Included is also a link to an article that really puts into perspective what these cuts mean to people with disabilities and to the conscience of our country.

Time is running out! ⏰

We need to keep raising our voices and sharing our stories to protect Medicaid 📣

☎️ Call your Senators and ask them to vote NO to any bill that cuts Medicaid ‼️

Click here to view NDSC’s updated Action Alert: https://bit.ly/ProtectMedicaidForAll ⚡️ Use this Action Alert to contact your Senators ⚡️

NDAC Member Allison Wohl explains how the proposed cuts to Medicaid in the House and Senate versions of the reconciliation bill would significantly harm people with Down syndrome and other disabilities - Read more here: https://thehill.com/opinion/healthcare/5370090-medicaid-cuts-disabled-americans/

06/13/2025

MDAC Co-Lead, Liz Zogby, was honored with the Lorraine Sheehan-Bernard A. Gould Award for Governmental Affairs Service at The Arc Maryland's 2025 State Convention earlier this year.

The Arc Maryland: thank you for your recognition!

: Check out what MDAC accomplished this legislative session, some of which led to this award: https://youtu.be/blmvwyyJEh0?si=Bb9WzP_Vs5M-55Eh

[Accessibility Image Description: Liz Zogby smiles at the camera with brown hair pulled away from her face. In writing, the graphic says: "Congratulations Liz Zogby, Co-Lead" and the name of the award. The MDAC logo is included in the bottom corner of the graphic.]

The Arc Maryland

05/07/2025

MDAC’s own Adrian Forsythe shares why Medicaid matters most to him.

Tell Congress: NO cuts to Medicaid! Action Alert - bit.ly/ProtectMedicaidForAll

04/16/2025

📣📣📣📣📣📣📣📣
Join Liz (MDAC Co-chair) and Adrian and Gabriel (Adult Workgroup Co-chairs) Wednesday April 23 at 7:00 pm for this wrap-up of the 2025 Maryland Legislative Session!

Find out what happened with:
👉 DDA funding and policy
👉 Public school funding and policy
👉 Bills that will affect our community

Learn about what MDAC was up to this session...
➡️ Advocacy training
➡️ On the ground advocating in Annapolis
➡️ Celebrating World Down Syndrome Day

And let's talk about next steps 👣

Register at the link below: https://dsnmc.networkforgood.com/events/85736-mdac-2025-legislative-session-wrap-up-webinar-seminario-web-de-cierre-de-la-sesi-n-legislativa-2025-de-mdac

_______
Únase a la Coalición de Defensa del Síndrome de Down de Maryland (MDAC) para una sesión virtual de cierre de la Asamblea General de Maryland 2024. Este seminario web gratuito está abierto a todos los miembros de la comunidad de defensa del síndrome de Down y la discapacidad, incluidos los socios de MDAC, asociaciones locales de síndrome de Down, familias y aliados.

Escuche a los líderes de MDAC, Adrian Forsythe, Gabriel Forsythe y Liz Zogby, quienes revisarán los resultados clave de la sesión de este año. Se incluirán actualizaciones sobre la educación y el plan "Blueprint for Maryland’s Future", fondos y servicios de la DDA (LISS, modelo autodirigido y de proveedores), actividades de defensa del Día Mundial del Síndrome de Down, y lo que se espera en el panorama de políticas de discapacidad en Maryland.

Si necesita interpretación al español, por favor inscríbase antes del jueves 17 de abril e indique su solicitud al momento de registrarse.

Si necesita ayuda para registrarse en este evento, no dude en contactar a Thelma o Isabel a estos correos: thelma@dsnmc.org o isabel@dsnmc.org

You’re invited