Montgomery County, MD

COMMISSION ON PEOPLE WITH DISABILITIES

Meeting Summary Points

March April 9th, 2008

Welcome and Approval of March Points – Nelson Jackson, Chair, convened the meeting. Harold Snider, Commissioner, motioned to approve the March summary points. Jackie Simon, Commissioner, moved that a correction be made under the red brick pavers issue stating that the wheelchairs are for the planning board, not the Councilmembers and County staff. The motion was approved and the summary points for the March 2008 meeting were approved as corrected.written.

Presentation: “Vision for Maryland” – Cathy Raggio, Secretary, Maryland Department of Disabilities

Ms. Raggio began the meeting by giving an overview of the Maryland Department of Disabilities (MDOD). Formerly the Governor’s Office on Disability, the Department was created in 2004 by the previous administration and at the request of people with disabilities who wanted to see policies and programs better unified across state agencies. MDOD operates a few programs, which include an Attendant Care Program that provides financial reimbursement to individuals with long-term or severe physical disabilities who require attendant services, and employ and supervise them. The department is also in charge of the Access Maryland Program, which brings state-owned facilities into compliance with State and Federal mandates requiring access for people with disabilities. MDOD requests from state agencies their plans and projects for making facilities, such as rest room modifications, construction of elevator towers, and parks, accessible. The requests are forwarded to the Maryland Commission on Disabilities, which reviews and prioritizes the projects. The panel includes people with disabilities. MDOD then recommends the projects to the Department of Budget Management for inclusion in the Capital Budget. MDOD is in charge of the Maryland Technology Assistance Program (MDTAP), which provides product information, consultation, and resource assistance to make assistive technology available, affordable and usable for people with disabilities and seniors. Under this program is the Assistive Technology Loan Program (ATLP), formerly known as the Assistive Technology Guaranteed Loan Program. The program helps Maryland residents with disabilities and their families qualify for low-interest loans to buy equipment that will help them live, work, and learn more independently. Loans range from $500 to $50,000.

MDOD is in charge of developing a state plan on disability. They are currently working on a new state plan and are formulating goals and strategies in response to issues that people with disabilities face. There are nine policy domains they are looking at: emergency preparedness, community integration particularly with long-term services for people with all types of disabilities, housing, education, transportation, health and behavioral health, employment, assistive technology, and community, family and support services. Stakeholder meetings will be held in Montgomery County at the Wheaton Library on Wednesday, April 16^th, at 1:30pm and Tuesday, April 29^th, at 10:00am. One of the current priorities for the department is employment as Maryland has a 54% unemployment rate for people with disabilities. Ms. Raggio explained that the Employed Individuals with Disabilities (EID) Program offered by the Department of Mental Health & Hygiene (DHMH) is still a work-in-progress and they are reviewing other state programs for structure, resources, and income limits. Ms. Raggio explained that the state is currently reviewing other state EID Programs for structure, resources and income limits as the Maryland program is only a year old and has less than 200 people currently enrolled. Michael Bullis, Executive Director of MDTAP, has been moved to DHMH to work on marketing the EID Program. He is the state’s leading expert on social security for people with disabilities. He will also focus on training local social services departments about the program and application process. MDOD is working with DHMH to develop regulations for the program that will hopefully be adopted under the state plan by July 1^st, 2008. Under these regulations, individuals who are in the Medicaid waiver program will be able to keep their waiver services and enroll in the EID program. Currently all waivers are excluded.

Ms. Raggio discussed Base Realignment and Closure (BRAC) and the redevelopment of areas that will take place as a result of this. She is working with the Department of Housing and Community Development to help coordinate BRAC activities by creating inclusive and livable communities.

She commented on the closing of Rosewood and noted that after evaluations, of the 30 that were court committed only 13 were deemed inappropriate to enter back into the community. The Governor is very concerned that individuals are appropriately placed in the community, that they are safe, and receive high quality services. She assured that all will be done to make a smooth transition for everyone.

Ms. Raggio is co-chair to Secretary Gloria G. Lawlah and the Department of Aging to develop aging and disability resource centers across the state. There are currently four Counties with a resource center and Montgomery County is a designated target area to develop a resource center.

This year’s ADA Celebration of the 18^th anniversary of the signing of the ADA will be held at the Strathmore on Saturday, July 26^th. The event will be co-sponsored by Montgomery County which is providing the Strathmore free of charge. The celebration will be catered and will focus on veterans as the Strathmore is so closely located to Walter Reed Army Medical Center. More information will become available soon. If anyone is interested in helping Ms. Raggio’s staff help fundraise for the event or know of any organizations who might want to contribute, please contact Betsy Luecking, Staff, at 240-777-1246 (V).

Ms. Raggio then opened the floor to questions.

Aaron Kaufman, Commissioner, stated that he was disappointed that in the budget only 40 people were taken off of the Developmental Disabilities Administration (DDA) waiting list. He was also disappointed that they only proposed 1.5% COLA for the direct care providers and fortunately legislation increased that to 3%. Ms. Raggio said that although very few were removed from the waiting list, there are currently 625 individuals on the DDA waiting list for the Transitioning Youth program. Next year, the list will grow even larger and it will cost more to serve them. MDOD will continue to be internal advocates for people with disabilities and encourage other organizations to advocate as well. Secretary John Colmers, Department of Mental Health & Hygiene, was deeply moved by last year’s testimony on his agency’s budget, particularly from the families. These stories are now being posted on YouTube by the families and DD organizations in an effort to make their stories heard.

Jackie Simon, Commissioner, commented that certain restrictions under Medicaid make it impossible to plan ahead for emergencies since prescriptions cannot be refilled until the day the prescription expires.

David Sharp, Commissioner, addressed the employment issues facing people with disabilities in Montgomery County. He asked what people with disabilities, coalitions or organizations should do to promote hiring. Ms. Raggio noted that soft skills, such as social skills and appropriate behavior in the workplace, have been an issue when talking to employers. There has been discussion of offering a class at community colleges that employers can send employees to whenever they require a refresher course which can be especially beneficial to some of the population. She also noted that paid employment during high school will result in a greater chance of being hired after high school.

While talking to employers about BRAC, they have indicated they would prefer to have positions filled through a headhunter agency. This could be an opportunity to create a strategy for people with disabilities.

Harry Bodansky, Public, asked why the state has combined a wide range of specific disabilities

under developmental disabilities and not separated them into their own departments. Ms. Raggio explained that in the beginning the DDA had advocated to groups representing intellectual disabilities, epilepsy, and cerebral palsy, and these disabilities typically occur very early in life. The DDA is very well funded due to the superb advocacy done in Maryland to obtain funding for their programs. People with physical disabilities usually turn to the Division of Rehabilitation Services (DORS), which incidentally received $3M from the Governor in this year’s budget. Unfortunately, it is low due to the Federal formula which bases funding on per capital income and Maryland has the highest per capita income in the United States. Ms. Raggio also explained that MDOD tries to include all types of disabilities when speaking on behalf of people with disabilities, including individuals who are deaf or hard of hearing even though they have a separate office.

Francie Gilman, Commissioner, suggested that MDOD be involved with the Division of Library Development and Services to ensure that all libraries are outfitted with assistive technology. Ms. Raggio stated that they do currently have a person serving on their advisory committee. MDOD has also been involved with the accessibility of their website, which was not accessible for individuals who are blind or have low vision.

Update from the Chair –

Nelson Jackson, Chair, asked for comments and suggestions for the budget testimony that will be given to the County Council on April 10^th. Jackie Simon motioned that the budget testimony be approved as written. The motion was approved.

Workgroup Updates –

Christina Byrne, Commissioner, gave an update on the first meeting held by the Health & Wellness Promotion Workgroup. The workgroup decided to create a website under Disability Information & Services for Health and Wellness Promotion featuring health related topics to include medical, healthcare, nutrition and exercise. The site, which Betsy Luecking, Staff, and Carly Clem, Staff, are currently developing, will also feature selected articles and presentations. Darlene Taper, Commissioner, has contributed several articles on obesity and physical education that will be included. The workgroup is creating a speaker’s bureau to talk to associations about people with disabilities and how they can receive appropriate healthcare or participate in activities. Joan Riley, former Commissioner, previously had David Sharp, Commissioner, and Connie Caldwell, Commissioner, attend a class at Georgetown to discuss their daily lives with the student nurses. The class made a huge impact on the students so the workgroup would like to continue this kind of education and outreach. There was also discussion to create a booklet similar to the Transportation Guide for Seniors and People with Disabilities to outline specific health and wellness resources. The workgroup will meet again in early May.

Betsy Luecking, Staff, said that she is involved with coordinating the World of Possibilities Expo with Caring Communities. The County has four tables in the main exhibition hall. The Expo will feature disability and senior related products, services, resources, workshops, and free wheelchair rentals and repair, and take place on Friday, May 2^nd, and Saturday, May 3^rd from 10:00am to 5:00pm both days. To make it more personal, our booth will feature depression screenings, community outreach, fire and rescue personnel to talk about smoke detectors, and the police department.

John Miers, Commissioner, noted that May is Mental Health Advisory Month. On Monday, May 19^th, the Commission on Health will be hosting a forum for mental health networking and resources. It will be held 101 Monroe Street, Rockville, in the Lobby Auditorium from 7:00pm to 9:00pm.

Christina Byrne, Commissioner, said she attended the MD Alliance meeting on Monday, April 7^th, with Betsy Luecking, Staff, who presented a PowerPoint on Design for Life Montgomery, which was very well received. In regards to the visit-ability bill which was introduced in Annapolis, it was

dismissed by the Senate, and the House will be holding an informal summer study to discuss it further. Betsy Luecking, Staff, added that while it would be great to have mandatory visit-ability in new construction, there are building issues in a mandatory program such as water tables present in Anne Arundel, Baltimore City, and Harford Counties, which would not allow for mandatory building. As of March, Design for Life Montgomery has certified 15 homes, 75% of which are renovation and 2 more are pending. The renovation market is improving and more people want to stay in their own homes. The day after the presentation was given Anne Arundel contacted Betsy about adopting Design for Life Anne Arundel. Harford wants to do the same and Nollie Wood, Executive Director of the Mayor’s Commission on Disabilities in Baltimore City, is having his housing group review it as well. Jackie Simon, Commissioner, said one of the biggest challenges with BRAC and the creation of new communities is that potential builders are taught to build houses with lots of steps and very little sidewalk space. Betsy noted that in those cases often the garage or back entry can be made accessible.

Harold Snider, Commissioner, visited the Silver Spring Transit Center last month and reviewed the Braille signage ordered by the County to be installed. He indicated that what has been done there is outstanding.

Susan Smith, Commissioner, noted that the Housing Opportunities Commission (HOC) will be opening two new customer service offices. One in Gaithersburg near Lakeforest Mall is opening in May and a second office will open mid-July in Silver Spring. Anyone in Montgomery County who participates in an HOC rental housing program will be able to receive services at either center. Trained staff at the centers will be available to meet with clients to answer questions, transact HOC housing program business and provide information about HOC programs and services. Counselors will also be available to work one-on-one with clients, helping them with information about job training, educational opportunities, child care services and other programs for which they may qualify. HOC will also be installing new software, which will be more customer friendly.

Public Comments -

Patrice Means-Marlow, Public, is aware that in July MetroAccess will be starting their new door-to-door service. She disagrees with this new policy as it will reduce the waiting window from ten minutes to five minutes and does not benefit individuals living in condominiums or apartment buildings. She asked the Commission to support her decision to reject this new service. Betsy Luecking, Staff, reminded the Commissioners that MetroAccess will be presenting to the Commission next month about the new door-to-door service.

Harry Bodansky, Public, asked if the Commission had a mission statement as he wants to ensure the Commission is all inclusive and supports people with all types of disabilities. Nelson Jackson, Chair, will get a copy for his review.

Next Meeting :- Wednesday, May 14th, 2008 – MetroAccess Director Selene Faer-Dalton Kumins

EOB, 101 Monroe Street, Rockville, MD - Lobby Auditorium, 6:30pm to 8:00pm.