In addition to our budget advocacy, the Council worked on bills during the legislative session. We supported bills on education, services and supports, housing, criminal justice, voting rights, transportation, and more.
Learn more in our 2026 Legislative Overview: www.md-council.org/wp-content/u...
A crowd of people gathered together in a courtyard surrounded by brick buildings. The people are holding up signs that oppose the DDA budget cuts. Text at the bottom says: 2026 Legislative Overview Maryland DD Council logo
The 2026 Maryland legislative session was difficult for the disability community.
Disability services faced large budget cuts for the second year in a row. The Council worked with our partners in the DD Coalition and advocates from across the state to reduce the impact of these cuts.
A photo of the Maryland State House and surrounding buildings. Text at the bottom of the image reads: Legislative Reports April 3 Maryland DD Council logo
There are less than 2 weeks left in the 2026 Maryland legislative session. The Council has been tracking more than 100 bills during the session. These bills would impact Marylanders with DD and their families.
Learn more in this week's legislative reports: www.md-council.org/policy/legis...
Tell us what you think about our next State Plan! We want your feedback on our draft goals and objectives. Comments are open until May 15. Learn more at md-council.org. Maryland DD Council logo Photos of Marylanders with developmental disabilities.
Tell us what you think about our next State Plan! The State Plan is the roadmap the Council follows to help us reach our goals.
We want to hear from you! Please use this survey to give feedback on our draft goals and objectives.
forms.gle/EfFYKCYf5swC...
"I want to continue to support autistic adults in leading their lives in ways that equal meaningful success to them. I also hope to make publications, speak about neurodiversity, and share my personal stories." - Kimberly Hubscher, Council member.
"I am proud of how I continue to navigate this part of my identity and grow as a self-advocate. In 5 years, I hope to have obtained a doctorate in Occupational Therapy, Autism Studies, or a related field.
"In my life right now, I am most proud of my resilience, and my increasing involvement in the neurodiversity-affirming and modern disability rights movement. Learning that I am a member of the disability community in my adulthood has been both good and challenging.
A woman with brown hair wearing a brown shirt. She is standing under a tree smiling. Maryland DD Council logo We're Here: Then, Now, Always. NACDD logo
People with developmental disabilities have always been part of our communities, and always will be. We close out Developmental Disabilities Awareness Month (DDAM) with a final story from one of our newest Council members, Kimberly.
#DDAM2026 | @nacdd.bsky.social
An image of spring tree blossoms with a blue sky in the background. Text: Legislative Reports | March 27 Maryland DD Council logo
Spring is here, and so are the Council's weekly legislative reports!
We are tracking bills in the General Assembly that impact Marylanders with DD. Learn more at www.md-council.org/policy/legis...
"I'm proud of my independence and my advocacy work on the Council. Next, I want to grow as an entrepreneur. I want to continue my independence and have more than enough money to support myself and my dreams." - Damon Briggs, Council Vice Chair
We're Here: Then, Now, Always. @nacdd.bsky.social
An image of a black man smiling. He is wearing a striped shirt. Maryland DD Council logo We're Here Then, Now, Always NACDD logo
March is Developmental Disabilities Awareness Month (DDAM). During DDAM, we are sharing stories from Council members to connect the past, present, and future. Today's story is from Damon Briggs. #DDAM2026
A picture of a brick pathway with trees on either side. Maryland flags are hanging from lampposts on the sides of the walkway. Text reads: Legislative Reports, March 23 Maryland DD Council logo
Start your week with the Council's legislative reports!
The Council is following more than 100 bills that impact Marylanders with DD and their families. You can see the status of each bill in our legislative reports. Learn more at www.md-council.org/policy/legis...
"In the future I would like to see others like myself be as independent as possible and enjoy the freedom to decide how to best live their lives." -Justin Stocker, Council member
"I'm proud of advocating for disability rights and funding in the Maryland General Assembly last year. I have a job I enjoy, and volunteer on Opportunity Builders’ Board of Directors as well as Maryland Developmental Disabilities Council.
"I like to bring awareness to others about people like myself, my twin brother and my friends. We are just like everyone else. We deserve respect and to live a good life that we choose.
A man stands in front of the door to the Maryland House of Delegates Appropriations Committee. He is a white man with short brown hair and glasses. His wearing a red jacket and holding a white cane. Maryland DD Council logo We're Here Then, Now, Always NACDD logo
We're Here: Then, Now, Always.
People with DD have always been part of our communities, and always will be. For Developmental Disabilities Awareness Month (DDAM), we’re sharing stories from our Council members to connect the past, present, and future. Our first story is from Justin Stocker.
A Maryland flag waving in the wind. The trees behind the flag are bare and the skies are gray. Old brick buildings are in the distance.
The Council's weekly legislative reports are ready!
We are tracking more than 100 bills in the Maryland General Assembly. Learn more at
www.md-council.org/policy/legis...
Proposed state budget cuts threaten services for thousands of Marylanders with developmental disabilities and their families. These services allow people with DD to live the lives they want in the community. Thank you to everyone who continues to advocate for these important services!
A crowd of people stand in front of legislative buildings in Annapolis. Many people are wearing red. Most have rain coats or umbrellas. Some are holding signs that say "We Can't Go Back, We Won't Go Back"
Hundreds of advocates joined us in Annapolis today for the Maryland Developmental Disabilities Coalition rally to save DD services. Together, we were loud and clear: We Can't Go Back, and We Won't Go Back!
The Maryland State House at night, with a Maryland flag flying in the foreground. Text at the bottom reads: Legislative Reports, March 6 Maryland DD Council logo
The Council's weekly legislative reports are ready! We are tracking more than 100 bills in the Maryland General Assembly. These bills would impact people with DD and their families.
Learn more at www.md-council.org/policy/legis...
A graphic that reads We Can't Go Back, We Won't Go Back in large letters. Rally to Save DD Services March 12th 12 to 1 pm Lawyers Mall Wear Red Maryland DD Coalition logo
Once again, DD services face big budget cuts.
Join the Maryland DD Coalition on Thursday, March 12th at 12 pm on Lawyers Mall in Annapolis. Together we'll let everyone know:
WE CAN’T GO BACK, AND WE WON’T GO BACK.
Please join us, wear red, and be ready to advocate.
mailchi.mp/md-council/2...
Campaign graphic reading “We’re Here. Then, Now, Always.” featuring a historic black-and-white photo of disability rights activists at the U.S. Capitol and color photos of people with developmental disabilities advocating and smiling in community settings.
The Council opens Developmental Disabilities Awareness Month with the NACDD campaign: We're Here: Then. Now. Always.
People with DD have always been part of our communities — and always will be. This month, we’re sharing stories that connect past, present, and future.
Join us.
#DDAM2026
A proclamation from Governor Wes Moore and his administration proclaiming March 2026 as Developmental Disabilities Awareness Month
Thank you Governor Moore for proclaiming March as Developmental Disabilities Awareness Month (DDAM) in Maryland.
DDAM recognizes how people with DD contribute to our state. Maryland is stronger when people with and without disabilities live, learn, work, and play together in our communities.
An image of the Maryland House of Delegates on a sunny day. It is a brick building with white columns. A graphic at the bottom reads: Legislative Reports, February 27 Maryland DD Council logo
Happy Friday! Start the weekend with the Council's legislative reports. These reports list all the bills we are tracking in the Maryland General Assembly. These bills impact people with disabilities and their families.
Learn more: www.md-council.org/policy/legis...
An image of a brick building with a Maryland flag hanging off the side. Text at the bottom reads: Legislative Reports: February 20 Maryland DD Council logo
The Council is busy during the legislative session! We are tracking more than 100 bills in the Maryland General Assembly. These bills impact people with disabilities and their families.
Learn about the bills we are following in this week's legislative reports: www.md-council.org/policy/legis...
Senator Guy Guzzone speaks during DD Day. He is a tall man wearing a gray suit.
Secretary of Health Meena Seshamani speaks at DD Day. She is wearing a bright blue and white shirt.
Thank you to our Maryland Developmental Disabilities Coalition partners for making DD Day a success. And, thank you to Secretary of Health Meena Seshamani, DDA Deputy Secretary Marlana Hutchinson, Secretary of Disabilities Carol Beatty, and all of the legislators who showed up to engage and listen.
A group of people stands together. They are holding signs that say "These Are Our Lives" and "Protect Maryland Values: our lives, our community, our civil rights"
People in the crowd holding up signs. One sign says "Numbers Have Faces". It has pictures of a person with DD on it.
Two women hold up signs that say "These Are Our Lives"
A man speaks at the rally. He is wearing a blue-gray suit. A group of people is holding a banner behind him. Further behind is the Maryland State House.
All day long, hundreds of advocates shared one powerful message: These Are Our Lives!
Together, our advocacy helps Marylanders with disabilities live the lives they want with the support they need. Keep sharing your stories. Keep advocating for the services and supports our community depends on.
Senator Cory McCray speaks on stage during DD Day. He is wearing a gray suit. The banner behind him says "DD Day at the Legislature: These Are Our Lives" Members of the DD Coalition are sitting behind him on stage. They are smiling.
A crowd full of people stands in Annapolis holding signs. They are surrounded by brick government buildings.
Thank you to everyone who joined us yesterday for DD Day at the Legislature!
In the morning, leaders and advocates talked about the budget, current bills and other important issues. Then, we gathered outside the State House to remind everyone why people need services and support to live full lives.
WHEN: Wednesday, February 18 | 11:15 am (immediately after DD Day)
WHERE: Lawyers Mall in Annapolis (in front of the State House)
Please join us and help make an impact!
A graphic with a red background and red and white text. The Maryland DD Coalition logo is at the top. Text reads: DD Day Rally 2/18/26 at 11:15 am These Are Our Lives: Our Voices, Our Community Lawyers Mall 100 State Circle, Annapolis
Join the Maryland DD Coalition for a rally next Wednesday after DD Day. People with developmental disabilities, families, and community providers will gather in Annapolis. They will tell stories about how they rely on community-based services to live, work, and thrive in their communities.