The Office 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.
The Office monitors and encourages State government compliance with laws and policies that affect persons with disabilities. At least quarterly, the Office consults with and provides technical assistance to the Maryland Advisory Council for Individuals with Disabilities. The Office also promotes local or regional coordination of services to persons with disabilities. Authorization for the Office continues until July 1, 2000 (Code State Government Article, secs. 9-1101 through 9-1110).
Within the Office are the Governor's Committee on Employment of People with Disabilities, and the Technology Assistance Program. The Office is assisted by the Maryland Advisory Council for Individuals with Disabilities.
The Council has twenty-eight members. Twenty-one are appointed to three-year terms by the Governor. Seven serve ex officio (Code State Government Article, secs. 9-1106 through 9-1109).
GOVERNOR'S COMMITTEE ON EMPLOYMENT OF PEOPLE WITH DISABILITIES
The Committee informs the public of the problems that people with disabilities face in finding employment and of the laws that ensure equal opportunity. It cooperates with all groups, public and private, in promoting services for individuals with disabilities. The Committee also initiates and publicizes programs to encourage the hiring of persons with disabilities.
The Committee fosters meaningful employment for persons with mental, physical and emotional disabilities as defined by the federal Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990, as amended. The Committee also advises people with disabilities of opportunities for habilitation and rehabilitation by which to develop marketable job skills; and sponsors conferences, awards, and seminars on employment and rehabilitation.
Appointed by the Governor, the Committee has thirty-five members who serve three-year terms. The Governor designates the chair. Local committees exist in many counties and in Baltimore City.
The Technology Assistance Program (MDTAP) 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.
The Program has established three model technology demonstration centers 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, 1999.
MARYLAND ADVISORY COUNCIL FOR INDIVIDUALS WITH DISABILITIES
The Maryland Advisory Council for Individuals with Disabilities advises the Office for Individuals with Disabilities. The Council reviews statewide programs for persons with disabilities and fosters coordination and support for these programs.
The Governor's Committee on Employment of People with Disabilities began in 1947 as the Governor's Committee to Promote Employment of the Handicapped. Renamed the Governor's Committee on Employment of the Handicapped in 1979, it was placed under the Division of Vocational Rehabilitation in the State Department of Education in 1980 (Executive Order 01.01.1980.12). The Committee became part of the former Office for Handicapped Individuals in 1987 (Executive Order 01.01.1987.09) and received its present name in 1989 (Executive Order 01.01.1989.14). Now, the Committee works within the Office for Individuals with Disabilities.
TECHNOLOGY ASSISTANCE PROGRAM
World Wide Web: http://www.mdtap.org