Petition Drives Effort to Reverse Disability Cuts Ahead of Special Session

As Maryland prepares for a special legislative session on August 3, a petition signed by thousands is calling on lawmakers to restore funding cuts to the Developmental Disabilities Administration (DDA).

Advocates and families have been actively campaigning to reverse these cuts for months, but their efforts during the regular legislative session did not yield the desired results. With the upcoming session, they are renewing their push, although they recognize that the focus will likely be on redistricting.

Shari Dexter, co-leader of Concerned Citizens of Self Direction, emphasized the critical nature of the issue, stating that the cuts could have dire consequences for many individuals and their support teams. She highlighted concerns about potential staff losses and the impact on the health and safety of participants.

“This DDA issue with the cuts is a monumental issue; it's going to affect thousands of people,” Dexter remarked. She also noted that the challenges extend beyond the legislative text, indicating that families are facing additional hardships not fully captured in the proposed cuts.

Shari Bailey, founder of Laila's Gift, pointed out the relentless demands placed on families caring for individuals with disabilities, stressing that these responsibilities do not cease after a typical workday. “Disability is 24/7,” she said, calling for greater attention to the needs of these families.

Despite ongoing communication with lawmakers, advocates face an uphill battle, as the fiscal year budget has already been established, making a reversal of the cuts seem unlikely.

Reported by HarborBeat based on WMAR-2 News (source).