Advocacy/Special Education Rights
Maryland Disability Law Center
This website offers legal and advocacy advice for individuals in the state of Maryland with disabilities. They use a four pronged approach highlighting Legal Services, Community Resources, Publications, and Systemic Efforts. Helpful to families are a list of publications listed in the resource tab complete that cover Special Education services, Social Security, Medicaid for children & adults, DDA, Students participating in sports and Miscellaneous topics such DVD’s, guardianship, and Spanish versions of texts.
Maryland State Department of Education
The MSDE website offers information for any parent of a student within the state for curriculum, assessment, programs, and advocacy. This particular page contains publications that parents can download regarding IEP and IFSP Team participation, and a Family Support Services Directory. Most catalogs are translated into 15 languages in order to provide more access to parents of children from a variety of backgrounds.
Maryland Department of Disabilities
This user-friendly site is a one stop for education, employment, housing, transportation, transitioning, benefits, and daily support systems within the state of Maryland.
The Arc of Maryland
The Arc of Maryland offers support for parents of children with a variety of disabilities through the lifespan development. Specifically, the Public Policy tab offers information on State and Federal Legislation, System Advocacy, as well as Legal Advocacy.
Arc of PG County
Special Education Disabilities Resources & Advocacy
A local advocacy group that serves Baltimore City & County, Carroll, Frederick, Prince George, Montgomery, Howard and Harford counties in Maryland. The site has an extensive list of both state and national resources.
Maryland State Department of Education Division of Rehabilitation Services (DORS)
This site is a huge resource to parents attempting to navigate state services for their child ages 21 + in supported workplace and independence. Both state and Federal Advocacy tips are listed for parents.
Council of Parent Attorneys and Advocates
This national site allows parents to find Attorneys and Advocate in their area. The $50 membership allows parents to access publications, attend annual conferences and receive legal updates and advocacy tools throughout the year. Additional resources about federal funded projects, legal and advocacy resources are also available for those without membership.
Commission on Disability Issues
The 15 member Commission is appointed by the County Executive and confirmed by the County Council. To achieve their goals, the commission is represented by people with disabilities, service providers, family members of people with disabilities and the community at large. This voluntary citizen group advises county government on issues affecting people with disabilities. The committee also provides guidance and recommendations on Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) compliance to county government.
Howard County, Maryland
George Howard Building
3430 Courthouse Drive
Ellicott City, MD 21043
Information & Referral numbers:
(P) 410 313 2022
(F) 410 313 3390
Children's Health Programs
The Child Health Program provides services to families with children that meet specific eligibility criteria. Programs offered by the Howard County Health Department include the Infants and Toddlers Program, WIC, Child Advocacy Center, Case Management for children with elevated blood lead. In addition, outreach, information and referral services are offered. Hearing and vision screenings are offered to students in specific grades within Howard County public and private schools.
To contact Children's Health Programs, please call 1-410-313-7500 or toll free at 1-866-313-6300.
Disabilities Services
Disabilities Services/ADA Coordinator
6751 Columbia Gateway Drive, Suite 300
Columbia, MD 21046
410-313-6402 (voice/relay)
FAX: 410-313-6424
All programs, services and facilities of county government are accessible and available to citizens with disabilities as required by the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and Rehabilitation Act of 1973.
What we do:
Autism Technical Advisory Group –Habilitative Services Benefits
Senate Bill 744 and House Bill 1055 of 2012 require the Department of Health and Mental Hygiene, in consultation with the Maryland Insurance Commissioner, to establish a technical advisory group on the use of habilitative services to treat children with autism and autism spectrum disorders. Habilitative services enable individuals born with autism and spectrum disorders, as well as those born with other developmental disabilities, to develop life skills and improve their ability to function in various environments.
The Advisory Group will make recommendations about what types of habilitative services are medically necessary and appropriate to treat children with autism and autism spectrum disorders. The Advisory Group will seek public input in developing these recommendations.
Maryland Special Needs advocacy Program
The program is located in Baltimore, Maryland and provides free educational advocacy services for Jewish children ranging from birth to 21 with special needs.
Special Education Advocacy Services
Special Education Advocacy Services is located in Glen Burnie, Maryland offers comprehensive advocacy services to children with varying disabilities navigate the policies and procedures of the public school system.
Montgomery County Public Schools Special Education Advisory Committee
Located in Rockville, Maryland they are comprised of parents, Montgomery County Public School Staff and county community groups who advocate for children with disabilities.
This website offers legal and advocacy advice for individuals in the state of Maryland with disabilities. They use a four pronged approach highlighting Legal Services, Community Resources, Publications, and Systemic Efforts. Helpful to families are a list of publications listed in the resource tab complete that cover Special Education services, Social Security, Medicaid for children & adults, DDA, Students participating in sports and Miscellaneous topics such DVD’s, guardianship, and Spanish versions of texts.
Maryland State Department of Education
The MSDE website offers information for any parent of a student within the state for curriculum, assessment, programs, and advocacy. This particular page contains publications that parents can download regarding IEP and IFSP Team participation, and a Family Support Services Directory. Most catalogs are translated into 15 languages in order to provide more access to parents of children from a variety of backgrounds.
Maryland Department of Disabilities
This user-friendly site is a one stop for education, employment, housing, transportation, transitioning, benefits, and daily support systems within the state of Maryland.
The Arc of Maryland
The Arc of Maryland offers support for parents of children with a variety of disabilities through the lifespan development. Specifically, the Public Policy tab offers information on State and Federal Legislation, System Advocacy, as well as Legal Advocacy.
Arc of PG County
Special Education Disabilities Resources & Advocacy
A local advocacy group that serves Baltimore City & County, Carroll, Frederick, Prince George, Montgomery, Howard and Harford counties in Maryland. The site has an extensive list of both state and national resources.
Maryland State Department of Education Division of Rehabilitation Services (DORS)
This site is a huge resource to parents attempting to navigate state services for their child ages 21 + in supported workplace and independence. Both state and Federal Advocacy tips are listed for parents.
Council of Parent Attorneys and Advocates
This national site allows parents to find Attorneys and Advocate in their area. The $50 membership allows parents to access publications, attend annual conferences and receive legal updates and advocacy tools throughout the year. Additional resources about federal funded projects, legal and advocacy resources are also available for those without membership.
Commission on Disability Issues
The 15 member Commission is appointed by the County Executive and confirmed by the County Council. To achieve their goals, the commission is represented by people with disabilities, service providers, family members of people with disabilities and the community at large. This voluntary citizen group advises county government on issues affecting people with disabilities. The committee also provides guidance and recommendations on Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) compliance to county government.
Howard County, Maryland
George Howard Building
3430 Courthouse Drive
Ellicott City, MD 21043
Information & Referral numbers:
(P) 410 313 2022
(F) 410 313 3390
Children's Health Programs
The Child Health Program provides services to families with children that meet specific eligibility criteria. Programs offered by the Howard County Health Department include the Infants and Toddlers Program, WIC, Child Advocacy Center, Case Management for children with elevated blood lead. In addition, outreach, information and referral services are offered. Hearing and vision screenings are offered to students in specific grades within Howard County public and private schools.
To contact Children's Health Programs, please call 1-410-313-7500 or toll free at 1-866-313-6300.
Disabilities Services
Disabilities Services/ADA Coordinator
6751 Columbia Gateway Drive, Suite 300
Columbia, MD 21046
410-313-6402 (voice/relay)
FAX: 410-313-6424
All programs, services and facilities of county government are accessible and available to citizens with disabilities as required by the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and Rehabilitation Act of 1973.
What we do:
- Assist individuals with disabilities their families and service providers in obtaining services
- Provide information and referral services in Howard County and the immediate area
- Educate the community about disability issues
- Provide technical assistance to individuals and businesses
- Advocate for the rights of individuals with disabilities
- Inform Howard County citizens with disabilities of their rights
- Individuals with Disabilities
- Family Members
- Service Providers
- To assist individuals with disabilities to live an independent life with full participation in the community
- To help individuals with disabilities locate and obtain needed services that are available in Howard County and immediate area
- To work with the Howard County Community to achieve total integration for people with disabilities
Autism Technical Advisory Group –Habilitative Services Benefits
Senate Bill 744 and House Bill 1055 of 2012 require the Department of Health and Mental Hygiene, in consultation with the Maryland Insurance Commissioner, to establish a technical advisory group on the use of habilitative services to treat children with autism and autism spectrum disorders. Habilitative services enable individuals born with autism and spectrum disorders, as well as those born with other developmental disabilities, to develop life skills and improve their ability to function in various environments.
The Advisory Group will make recommendations about what types of habilitative services are medically necessary and appropriate to treat children with autism and autism spectrum disorders. The Advisory Group will seek public input in developing these recommendations.
Maryland Special Needs advocacy Program
The program is located in Baltimore, Maryland and provides free educational advocacy services for Jewish children ranging from birth to 21 with special needs.
Special Education Advocacy Services
Special Education Advocacy Services is located in Glen Burnie, Maryland offers comprehensive advocacy services to children with varying disabilities navigate the policies and procedures of the public school system.
Montgomery County Public Schools Special Education Advisory Committee
Located in Rockville, Maryland they are comprised of parents, Montgomery County Public School Staff and county community groups who advocate for children with disabilities.