The Arc Maryland

09/06/2026

Just 2 days left to apply to become a changemaker through Maryland Partners in Policymaking®! On the value of being a Partner, ‘03 graduate Kim McKay shared, “Partners demystified the public policy process, making it accessible to everyone. Meeting legislators and policymakers at the state and local level gives you confidence to share your story. Change starts with us.” Apply by this Tuesday, September 8th, by 5 PM at https://thearcmd.org/partners/

09/05/2026

Continuing in our response to the Department of Justice actions concerning Olmstead v. L.C., The Arc of the United States, with partner advocacy organizations, encouraged states to take a take an official stand for people with disabilities. Olmstead has not been overturned, but the federal government has been walking back years of interpretations and enforcement of protections that help prevent institutionalization.

Maryland Governor Wes Moore recently joined other governors who came together to emphasize that although federal enforcement may be retreating, states will continue protecting the rights of people with disabilities to live and receive support in their own communities. Read the letter here:

09/04/2026

Maryland Partners in Policymaking® applications close on Tuesday. Have you applied? Nelson Cropper (class of ‘22) shared his experience: "Partners in Policymaking has enabled me to become a strong self-advocate, and an advocate for others who are differently abled in our community." Apply by September 8th at 5 PM at https://thearcmd.org/partners/

09/04/2026

2 weeks left to submit your application for the Low Intensity Support Services (LISS) Random Selection Process! 📢
Online Access Opened on August 1, 2026
Online Access Closes on September 15, 2026
Random Selection will take place on October 1, 2026

Visit our page for all details regarding the Random Selection Process and to access the application: https://www.penn-mar.org/liss/liss-overview/

09/03/2026

Throughout September, share your voice and build your advocacy skills through an Empowering Partners Self-Advocacy Group! Get connected to one of eight local groups and find out how to join their next meeting at https://thearcmd.org/empowering-partners/

09/02/2026

Partners in Policymaking® equips you with the building blocks to face new challenges! “Partners in Policymaking® helps you improve your advocacy skills so that you are ready when the opportunity to use those skills comes up,” exclaimed Justin Valenti (class of ‘19). The deadline to apply for the 26-27 class has been extended to Tuesday, September 8th, making right now the perfect time for you to apply at https://thearcmd.org/partners/

09/01/2026

There are 18,000 Marylanders with intellectual and developmental disabilities who rely on their Medicaid to live and receive services and supports in their communities. Since 2024, hundreds of people have been disenrolled during a "redetermination" process in Maryland- people who utilize DDA providers and people who self-direct their services- and providers and families are left out in the cold.
How is it ok that people, their families, and their providers are allowed to continue to suffer for weeks, months, and years due to untimely processing and other delays? We need solutions.
Thank you Maryland Matters for covering this story.

After more than two years of erroneous Medicaid disenrollments, communication challenges and slow responses from state agencies, the nonprofits and companies providing developmental disability services say they are near a financial breaking point.

08/28/2026

Yesterday, The Arc Maryland attended the Maryland Department of Health - Developmental Disabilities Administration's Technology First Event! It was a great opportunity to connect with the community and learn about accessible technology options that make Maryland a Technology First State!

08/25/2026

Partners in Policymaking® is your opportunity to connect and share with fellow advocates! Rico Winston (class of ‘20) shared, “My favorite part about Partners, without hesitation, was the friendships and relationships that I forged. The way you change the world isn’t by doing it alone, but by doing it together.” Applications for Maryland’s 2026-27 class close next Friday, September 4th. Get started on your application today at https://thearcmd.org/partners/

08/21/2026

We spent yesterday evening at Old Mill Middle School’s Back-to-School Block Party alongside students, families, staff, and local organizations to celebrate the new school year and build connections within the community. It was an awesome opportunity to spread the message of The Arc and connect attendees with resources from programs like Together We’re Better, AT&T Digital Literacy, and Partners in Policymaking®. Thanks for having us, OMMS!