Maryland Down Syndrome Advocacy Coalition - MDAC

02/03/2026

The National Down Syndrome Congress (NDSC) exists to educate, advocate, empower, and inspire on behalf of people with Down syndrome and the families and communities who support them. Our vision is a world where all people with Down syndrome are valued, included, and given the opportunity to reach their full potential.

We want to be clear: NDSC embraces and stands with all people with Down syndrome and their families, regardless of ethnicity, immigration status, or national origin. Every person with Down syndrome deserves to feel safe, welcomed, and respected in their community.

We understand that many individuals and families are experiencing real fear and uncertainty right now. We see you. We hear you. We acknowledge those fears, and we stand with you during these difficult times.
NDSC remains committed to ensuring that every person with Down syndrome is treated with dignity, protected by civil rights, and supported in living a full and meaningful life, without exception.

02/03/2026

01/30/2026

See our latest updates on bills affecting Marylanders with intellectual and developmental disabilities. The Arc Maryland’s Bill Tracker is updated every morning and provides helpful information on bills that may have impacts on people with IDD, their families, and providers. Click on links to view official bill text and more! Access The Arc Maryland's bill tracker at https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1GjFtsbYlTKtirdLwU6Vxy5MPwnpINc4efp1qCr3a1oI/edit?usp=sharing

For weekly updates every Monday morning during session, you can subscribe to our weekly newsletter: The Annapolis Insider, which includes top bills and action items for your advocacy. You can subscribe through a link on the bill tracker above!

01/29/2026

Hi self-advocates, families, and community members! 💙💛

It’s time to vote on Maryland’s Statewide 2026 World Down Syndrome Day theme!

Voting closes Sunday, February 1, at 5:00 PM, so be sure to share which themes resonate with you most. Participants can select up to 3 themes.

Scan the QR code on the graphic or vote here:
https://forms.gle/asZhB9wsj6YTSQtdA

Your input matters, your choice matters. Thank you for helping shape how we celebrate together!

01/27/2026

The National Down Syndrome Congress (NDSC) has heard about recent incidents in which people with Down syndrome were treated harshly and in an undignified way during interactions with law enforcement. These situations are deeply concerning and underscore the urgent need for disability-informed training, policies, and practices nationwide. People with Down syndrome and other intellectual and developmental disabilities (I/DD) have the right to be treated with dignity and respect and to be safe in their communities. Communication differences, anxiety, sensory sensitivities, or slower processing time must never be mistaken for noncompliance or escalation.

NDSC urges law enforcement agencies to adopt approaches grounded in understanding and de-escalation and to use plain language, allowing extra time for responses, reducing sensory stressors, and involving trusted supports when appropriate. We also encourage departments to seek out training and resources from the Ethan Saylor Alliance, which provides practical guidance to help prevent tragedies and improve outcomes when first responders interact with people with disabilities. Every interaction should be guided by safety, respect, and the presumption of humanity.

Read more from the Ethan Saylor Alliance > https://www.ethansayloralliance.org/

01/23/2026

A budget agreement working its way through Congress rebuffs Trump administration efforts to make major changes to the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act and eliminate some disability programs.

01/22/2026

Annapolis, MD – The Maryland Developmental Disabilities Coalition (DDC) released the following statement on Moore-Miller Administration’s FY 2027 budget:

We understand that the State is facing significant budget pressures and the challenge of balancing fiscal responsibility with essential services. However, we have concerns about the proposed $300M (state and federal) cut to the DDA budget that will impact the lives of people with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD) who rely on DDA to live, work and thrive in their communities.

We believe the cost containment measures as proposed require extensive analysis to ensure there are not disproportionate impacts on people with the highest needs, including those with complex medical, behavioral, and mental health conditions. Historically, Maryland has had a commitment to the rights of all people to receive needed services and supports in their communities, and we look forward to continuing dialogue with the Moore Administration to ensure that the proposed budget cuts do not negatively impact people with developmental disabilities, including those with complex needs who require higher levels of support.

Rachel London, Chair of the DD Coalition, said “We appreciate the ongoing dialogue with the Administration and General Assembly, and look forward to working together to identify solutions that are sustainable, equitable, and support the needs of all Marylanders with developmental disabilities.”

Laura Howell, CEO of the MD Association of Community Services, said “ Since last session, the Moore Administration has engaged with stakeholders to discuss financial and programmatic issues related to DDA programs. While those discussions are appreciated, we are concerned about the impact of the proposed FY27 cuts, on top of budget cuts that were sustained in FY26. The current proposal will need to be assessed and refined in order to avoid further negative impacts on Marylanders with developmental disabilities.”

Ande Kolp, Executive Director of The Arc Maryland added, “The federal Olmstead mandate reflects our shared responsibility to ensure people with developmental disabilities are supported to live full lives in the community. As the State considers budget and cost containment strategies, preserving individualized supports and investing in system capacity will be critical to meeting our obligations and upholding the rights of Marylanders with IDD.”

01/22/2026

Congressional Committees Reject ED Plans

Congressional appropriations committees agreed on a bipartisan Fiscal Year 2026 Appropriations bill that provides slightly more money for education programs than current levels, rather than the steep cuts proposed in the President’s budget request. The deal rejects the block granting of IDEA funds proposed by the Administration that would have eliminated funding for parent training and information centers, technical assistance centers, personnel preparation and other important programs.

NDSC appreciates the appropriators listening to deep concerns raised by families, students and schools and that the bill prohibits the U.S. Department of Education (ED) from transferring any education funding to another federal agency unless an appropriations law allows it to do so. The deal clearly states that no authorities exist for ED to transfer its fundamental responsibilities and prohibits any funds to be used for any department reorganization that decentralizes, reduces staffing levels, or alters the responsibilities of the department.

Read more: https://bit.ly/4jQAj2p

01/20/2026

The Inclusive Higher Education Accreditation Council (IHEAC) and the University of Rochester have received a $1 million dollar grant from the U.S. Department of Education to expand accreditation for inclusive higher education programs serving students with intellectual disability (ID). There are currently over 350 such programs and the IHEAC has accredited four so far. This four-year federal grant will fund an increase in the number of peer reviewers and programs accredited, provide resources for students, families and programs, and support IHEAC’s pursuit of national recognition.

NDSC has actively supported accreditation of these programs for many years in order to increase accountability and program improvement. NDSC Policy & Advocacy Co-Director, Stephanie Smith Lee, is the president of the IHEC board.

Read the press release here: https://www.rochester.edu/newscenter/postsecondary-accreditation-students-with-intellectual-disability-691782/

01/17/2026

Maryland Department of Health - Developmental Disabilities Administration is hosting a meeting on Fiscal Year 2027 - Program Sustainability

As we approach the release of the Governor's Budget, DDA will host a virtual community briefing on the Fiscal Year 2027 Program Sustainability Proposal for the Developmental Disabilities Administration.

This meeting will take place virtually on Wednesday, January 21, 2026, from 12:00 pm to 12:30 pm.

Click here to register: https://register.gotowebinar.com/register/7387800499182754141

01/14/2026

The largest advocacy day in Maryland is back:

Developmental Disabilities Day at the Legislature!

Join us in Annapolis on Thursday, February 18th, from 8 to 11 AM to learn about advocacy priorities for the DD Community and hear from state leaders before meeting with your representatives.

Get your tickets today at https://events.humanitix.com/dd-day-26

The largest advocacy day in Maryland is back: Developmental Disabilities Day at the Legislature! Join us in Annapolis on Thursday, February 18th, from 8 to 11 AM to learn about advocacy priorities for the DD Community and hear from state leaders before meeting with your representatives. Get your tickets today at https://events.humanitix.com/dd-day-26

09/29/2025

A group of Medicaid recipients has sued the Maryland Department of Health for a "dysfunctional" system of determining eligibility for services that they say has denied services to those with intellectual and developmental disabilities.