DEPARTMENT OF DISABILITIES

ORIGIN & FUNCTIONS

The Department evaluates programs and services for Maryland citizens with disabilities. It coordinates and supports public and private agencies serving people with disabilities, provides information and referrals, and identifies and recommends ways to improve services.

State government compliance with laws and policies that affect persons with disabilities is monitored and encouraged by the Department. At least quarterly, the Department consults with and provides technical assistance to the Maryland Advisory Council for Individuals with Disabilities. The Department also promotes local or regional coordination of services to persons with disabilities.

OFFICE OF SECRETARY

Appointed by the Governor with Senate advice and consent, the Secretary of Disabilities heads the Department. The Secretary chairs the Advisory Committee of the Technology Assistance Program and the Interagency Disabilities Board, and serves on the Interagency Committee on Aging Services; the Subcabinet for Children, Youth, and Families; the Maryland Partnership for Children, Youth and Families; and the State Coordinating Council (for Community Partnerships for Children, Youth, and Families). With the approval of the Governor, the Secretary appoints the Deputy Secretary.

Within the Office of Secretary are Communications, the Office of Research and Evaluation, and the Chief of Staff. The Chief of Staff oversees Departmental programs: Access Maryland, Assistive Technology Guaranteed Loan, Constituent Services, and Technology Assistance. The Office is aided by the Maryland Commission on Disabilities, and the Interagency Disabilities Board.

MARYLAND COMMISSION ON DISABILITIES
The Maryland Commission on Disabilities started as the Maryland Advisory Council for Individuals with Disabilities. Formerly under the Office for Individuals with Disabilities, the Council reformed as the Maryland Commission on Disabilities within the Department of Disabilities in July 2004 (Chapter 425, Acts of 2004). The Commission advises the Department of Disabilities. The Commission reviews statewide programs for persons with disabilities and fosters coordination and support for these programs.

Twenty members constitute the Commission. Eighteen are appointed to three-year terms by the Governor. One member is named by the Senate President, and one by the House Speaker. The Governor designates the chair for a two-year term (Code State Government Article, secs. 9-1109 through 9-1112).

INTERAGENCY DISABILITIES BOARD
In July 2004, the Interagency Disabilities Board was established to develop the State Disabilities Plan (Chapter 425, Acts of 2004; Code State Government Article, secs. 9-1113 through 9-1117).

The Board consists of thirteen ex officio members and representatives of State government agencies whom the Governor may designate.

TASK FORCE FOR SELF-DIRECTED CARE
In March 2005, the Secretary of Disabilities and the Executive Director of the Mental Hygiene Administration, Department of Health and Mental Hygiene, convened the Task Force for Self-Directed Care.

The Task Force is to develop recommendations for establishing a pilot program that would allow those who use mental health services to devise their own service program, consistent with the recommendations of the federal New Freedom Commission on Mental Health.

In October 2005, the Task Force will report its recommendations to the Department of Disabilities and the Mental Hygiene Administration.

POLICY

PROGRAMS

ACCESS MARYLAND PROGRAM

ASSISTIVE TECHNOLOGY GUARANTEED LOAN PROGRAM

The Program helps individuals with disabilities purchase assistive technology equipment to enable them to become more independent and more productive (Code 1957, Art. 41, secs. 14-901 through 14-914).

Applications for loan guarantees and loan interest subsidies are evaluated by the Program's Board of Directors. The Board consists of eleven members. Eight are appointed by the Governor; one by the Secretary of Health and Mental Hygiene; and one by the State Superintendent of Schools. One serves ex officio.

CONSTITUENT SERVICES PROGRAM

TECHNOLOGY ASSISTANCE PROGRAM

Formerly under the Office for Individuals with Disabilities, the Technology Assistance Program (MDTAP) was reassigned to the Department of Disabilities in July 2004. The Program provides information and technology services to people with disabilities. To enhance the quality of life for Marylanders with disabilities, the Program helps people to locate, evaluate, and purchase adaptive devices. The Program offers technology-related training and referrals in cooperation with the Office on Aging, the Division of Rehabilitation Services of the State Department of Education, and the Developmental Disabilities Administration of the Department of Health and Mental Hygiene.

Three model technology demonstration centers have been established by the Program at Cumberland, Hagerstown, and Salisbury. A main site lies at the Maryland Rehabilitation Center in Baltimore where technology resource specialists serve.

Created in 1990, the Program is governed by the federal Technology-Related Assistance for Individuals with Disabilities Act of 1988 (P.L. 100-407; P.L. 103-218). The National Institute on Disability and Rehabilitation Research of the U.S. Department of Education funds the Program. Maryland was one of the first states to receive such a grant. Federal funding continues until September 30, 2002.

ADVISORY COMMITTEE
The Advisory Committee, formerly the Management Committee, first was appointed by the Governor in December 1989 to oversee the Technology Assistance Program. The Secretary of Disabilities chairs the Committee.

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