The Freedom Center

03/17/2026

Celebrating Brian Griffee’s Achievements

The Freedom Center is proud to recognize the hard work and determination of Brian Griffee and the important milestones he has accomplished. Through dedication and support from staff, Brian has made tremendous progress toward greater independence.

One of Brian’s major accomplishments has been his commitment to learning and practicing budgeting skills. By carefully planning and managing his finances, he has been able to set goals and work toward them step by step. His persistence paid off in a big way when he successfully earned his driver’s license—a milestone that represents increased independence and confidence.

Using the budgeting skills he developed, Brian reached another exciting goal: purchasing his own car. This achievement reflects the responsibility and planning he has put into managing his finances and preparing for greater mobility in his daily life.

Brian has also been actively engaged in job coaching and on-site employment support, working hard to build his workplace skills and maintain success on the job. His commitment to learning and growing professionally has been inspiring to those around him.

Brian’s journey has been supported by members of The Freedom Center team. Employment Specialist Darren Braun has provided valuable guidance through advocacy and support, helping Brian navigate opportunities and continue moving forward with his goals.

Brian’s accomplishments are a great example of what can be achieved through determination, skill building, and strong support systems. The Freedom Center congratulates Brian on these milestones and looks forward to seeing all that he continues to accomplish in the future. 👏

IMAGE: Brian Griffee stands smiling beside the car he purchased after earning his driver’s license, celebrating a milestone in independence.

03/16/2026

Be sure to plan ahead if you're using public transit today! The forecasted severe weather may impact service.

Due to forecasted severe weather this afternoon and evening, service may experience delays.

Plan ahead and allow for extra travel time. Use the Transit app to track arrivals and visit mta.maryland.gov/service-alerts for the latest updates.

03/16/2026

JOIN US TODAY AT 2PM!

Your community is your power. Join the Maryland Independent Living community for a conversation led by our very own Dave Drezner, Executive Director of The Freedom Center, focused on practical strategies for peer support, community engagement, and self-advocacy.

I AM Session 5: Building Stronger Independent Living Communities
March 16 | 2:00–3:30 p.m.
Register here: https://buff.ly/odon9NB

Learn how to use your voice to influence policy, strengthen local disability services, and make a meaningful impact in your community. Participants will also have the opportunity to connect with Maryland Centers for Independent Living and access resources for ongoing support.

Together, we can build stronger, more connected Independent Living communities.

03/16/2026

We’re sharing this weather alert from Frederick County Fire & Rescue as hazardous weather is expected this afternoon.

For members of the disability community, taking a few steps ahead of time can help you stay safe:

- Charge phones, tablets, communication devices, power wheelchairs, and other essential equipment
- Keep medications, medical supplies, and assistive devices in an easy-to-reach place
- Have flashlights, extra batteries, and backup power banks ready in case of outages
- Turn on weather alerts on your phone so you receive warnings immediately
- Identify the safest place in your home (an interior room on the lowest level, away from windows) if a tornado warning is issued
- Let a neighbor, friend, or family member know if you may need assistance during severe weather

If you see downed power lines, stay away and report them.

⭐In an emergency, call 911.

Stay weather-aware and monitor local alerts throughout the day.

03/15/2026

Share Your Experience: National Survey for Adults with Cerebral Palsy

Researchers at the University of Michigan are inviting adults age 18 and older with cerebral palsy to participate in a national study exploring healthcare and aging. Through virtual focus groups and advisory sessions, participants can share their experiences and help shape future research and care for adults with CP. All sessions take place on Zoom and last about 1.5 hours.

To learn more or express interest, contact umcpresearch@umich.edu or call 734-615-6770.

03/14/2026

Funding Available for Assistive Technology!

Exciting news! The Freedom Center is offering funding assistance for assistive technology to help you maintain independence!

Need home or vehicle modifications, stair lifts, or hearing aids? We can help! Contact Chuck Kinney at ckinney@thefreedomcenter-md.org or call 301-447-0286.

IMAGE: Flyer announcing funding now available for assistive technology from The Freedom Center, listing support for home and vehicle modifications, stair lifts, hearing aids, and more, with images of an accessible home ramp and a person adjusting a hearing aid, plus contact information for eligibility.

03/13/2026

A team at the Maryland Initiative for Digital Accessibility (MIDA), in collaboration with an Adobe research team located in College Park, MD, is conducting a user evaluation on “born-accessible” approaches in marking up digital content for accessibility – during authoring. This proposed research involves testing of new UX prototypes with people, to obtain feedback on prompting strategies for generating alternative text (“alt text”) captions for images. In this research, we invite you to participate in this study if you have experience with screen reader technology and other forms of assistive technology.

To participate, you must:
- Be 18 years or older;
- Be proficient in English;
- Have basic experience with reading and authoring accessible documents; and
- Have experience with screen reader or assistive technology.

To sign up, please visit this Google Form to fill out a 5-minute survey: https://buff.ly/npywK5h

If you are selected, they will contact you; otherwise, your survey data will be deleted. Each participant who takes part in the usability study will receive a $50 Tango gift card as compensation. The usability study will be conducted remotely via Zoom and will be audio and video recorded. They will work with you to find a suitable time. The estimated time to complete the usability testing and a post-test survey is between two to three hours. This study has been approved by the Institutional Review Board of the University of Maryland.

If you have any questions or concerns, please contact

Graduate student: Abhinav Kannan (abhinavk@umd.edu)
College of Information, University of Maryland

Please fill this form to apply to participate in MIDA's concept testing study related to authoring documents for accessibility. Only researchers working on the project will have access to this data. If you meet the requirements of the study, we will contact you about potential participation. Data co...

03/12/2026

📢 Your voice matters. Share your feedback on proposed changes to Maryland’s Community Pathways Medicaid Waiver.

The Maryland Developmental Disabilities Administration (DDA) is seeking public input on proposed changes to the Community Pathways Medicaid Waiver.

The proposed changes are intended to support the long-term sustainability of the waiver program and will be reviewed by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS). Because the Community Pathways Waiver provides critical services and supports that help many people with disabilities live and participate in their communities, feedback from individuals with disabilities, families, advocates, and service providers is an important part of the process.

A 30-day public comment period is currently open and will run through April 1, 2026.

Community members are encouraged to review the proposed changes and submit comments to share their perspectives.

Comments may be submitted by email to wfb.dda@maryland.gov or mailed to:
DDA Federal Programs Unit
201 West Preston Street, 4th Floor
Baltimore, MD 21201

More information about the proposed changes is available here: https://bit.ly/4l8haJm

An official website of the State of Maryland.

03/12/2026

Last month, staff and community members from The Freedom Center joined advocates from across Maryland in Annapolis for Independent Living Day, an annual event that brings together Centers for Independent Living, consumers, and allies to engage directly with state policymakers.

Throughout the day, participants met with delegates and state senators representing Frederick and Carroll Counties to talk about the real-life impact of policies and funding decisions affecting people with disabilities. These conversations gave Freedom Center advocates the opportunity to share personal experiences, highlight the services CILs provide, and reinforce the importance of ensuring people with disabilities have the support they need to live independently in their communities.

A major focus of this year’s advocacy centered on concerns about funding reductions to Nursing Facility Outreach and Peer Support programs, often referred to as Money Follows the Person (MFP). These programs help connect individuals living in nursing facilities with peer mentors who have successfully transitioned back into community living. By providing guidance, resources, and encouragement, this work helps people return to their homes and regain greater independence.

Advocates also emphasized the broader importance of investing in community-based services. Programs that support independent living allow people with disabilities to contribute to their communities, maintain meaningful connections, and access opportunities that might otherwise be out of reach.

Independent Living Day serves as a reminder that advocacy and civic engagement are essential to strengthening the Independent Living movement. By building relationships with lawmakers and sharing the voices of our community, The Freedom Center continues to work toward a future where people with disabilities have the freedom and support to live where and how they choose.

IMAGE: Large group of disability advocates, including several wheelchair users, pose together in a meeting room during Independent Living Day in Annapolis, standing and seated in rows in front of tall windows.

03/11/2026

As part of our 25th anniversary celebration, we are honored to recognize the vision and leadership of The Freedom Center’s founder, Jamey George. The organization we know today began with Jamey’s determination to ensure that people with disabilities in Frederick and Carroll counties had access to the same independent living supports available in other parts of Maryland.

Jamey began her career working at a Center for Independent Living serving the Baltimore area, where she provided independent living services and assistive technology support. During that time, a new opportunity emerged to establish a Center for Independent Living serving Frederick and Carroll counties. Recognizing the need for independent living services in the region, Jamey stepped forward and worked tirelessly to build support across both communities—connecting with local organizations, agencies, and county leaders to demonstrate the importance of having a local CIL. Through her advocacy, collaboration, and persistence, The Freedom Center was ultimately established.

Throughout her career, Jamey’s leadership reached far beyond the organization she founded. She was invited to the White House under two presidential administrations in recognition of her work in the disability community. In Maryland, she worked in partnership with the Maryland Department of Aging to help shape and launch the state’s Aging and Disability Resource program, now known as Maryland Access Point (MAP). She also helped establish Frederick County’s original Commission on Disabilities and served as a founding member of Maryland’s governor-appointed State Commission on Disabilities.

Jamey remained deeply involved in the broader Independent Living movement as well. She served for many years on the Maryland Statewide Independent Living Council (SILC), including as its state chair, and represented our region nationally as Region 3 representative on the board of the National Council on Independent Living. Through these roles, she helped strengthen the voice of people with disabilities not only in Maryland, but across the country.

Jamey, who was Hearing Impaired, lived the values of the Independent Living movement in her own life and leadership. She passed away unexpectedly in July 2018, leaving behind a powerful legacy that continues through the work of The Freedom Center today. As we celebrate 25 years of independence, advocacy, and community impact, we remember with gratitude the vision that started it all—and the foundation Jamey built for future generations.

03/11/2026

March is Developmental Disabilities Awareness Month, a time to recognize the many ways people with developmental disabilities contribute to our communities and to reaffirm our commitment to inclusion.

Thank you to Governor Wes Moore for issuing this proclamation and recognizing the importance of ensuring Maryland remains a place where people with and without disabilities can live, learn, work, and play together.

We’re also grateful for the continued leadership of the Maryland Developmental Disabilities Council, whose advocacy helps advance policies, protect programs, and expand opportunities for people with developmental disabilities and their families across our state.

Thank you Governor Wes Moore for proclaiming March as Developmental Disabilities Awareness Month (DDAM) in Maryland.

DDAM recognizes how people with developmental disabilities contribute to our state. Maryland is stronger when people with and without disabilities live, learn, work, and play together in our communities.

03/10/2026

Frederick County is celebrating Deaf History Month!

Join Frederick County Executive Jessica Fitzwater, the Maryland Deaf Community Center, and the Maryland School for the Deaf for a special ceremony honoring Deaf history, culture, and community. The event will reflect on the past and look toward the future as our country approaches its 250th birthday.

Tuesday, March 31, 2026
11:00 AM – 12:00 PM
The Arc on Market Street
555 S. Market Street, Frederick

Can’t attend in person? The event will be recorded for later viewing on FCG TV.

RSVP: YBravo@FrederickCountyMD.gov

IMAGE: Flyer inviting the public to a Frederick County ceremony celebrating Deaf History Month on March 31, 2026, featuring a photo of a speaker using sign language in front of an audience and the Frederick County seal.