• Local Resources
• State Resources
• General Information
• Federal Agencies
• Legislative Guide
• Emergency Preparedness
• Youth with Disabilities
• Support Groups/Meetings
• Demographics
• Disability History

• FIXIT UP

http://www.harfordhabitat.org/index.cfm?section=fixItUp
Harford Habitat for Humanity's repair program's goal is to repair and revitalize communities so that everyone can live in a safe, warm, and accessible home. The program provides ramps for qualified individuals who need them to help people live independently in their own homes. Emergency repairs, such as heating and roofing, are also available, along with maintenance repairs needed to keep a home in good condition.
• Harford Commuter Assistance

http://www.harfordcountymd.gov/commuter
Information on local and regional public transportation, Park and Ride, carpooling and vanpooling, etc.
• Harford County Department of Parks and Recreation

http://www.harfordcountymd.gov/parks_rec/?Resc=DeptDrop

• Harford County Health Department

http://www.harfordcountyhealth.com/
The mission of the health department is to protect and promote the health, safety and environment of the citizens of Harford County through community assessment, education, collaboration and assurance of services.
• Harford County Housing Agency

http://www.harfordcountymd.gov/housing/
The Housing Agency provides opportunities to the citizens of Harford County to obtain and maintain safe, decent and sanitary housing suitable to their immediate and long range needs. The site includes information on Housing Counseling Services, the Rental Subsidy Program, Home Rehabilitation Loans, Rental Code Inspections, etc.
• Harford County Office on Aging

http://www.harfordcountymd.gov/services/aging/
Harford County's Office on Aging and its Senior Centers serve seniors age 60+, their families and caregivers through a variety of programs, activities, services and information. These services support Harford County senior citizens in their efforts to remain healthy, active independent members of the community and ensure the highest quality of life for both active and health-impaired seniors. Many programs are also available for younger seniors (age 50+). For more information, call 410-638-3025.
• Harford County Public Schools - Special Education

http://www.hcps.org/departments/instructionalsupport/specialeducation.aspx
The Special Education program is designed to provide individualized support to students with disabilities, so that they are successful in attaining the outcomes of the general curriculum. Special Education services are available for all students ages birth through 21, as appropriate. There is a full continuum of services to meet the needs of students with educational disabilitise in the least restrictive environment. These services are available in all the community schools, as well as at the John Archer School.
• Harford County Resource Guide

http://www.harfordcountymd.gov/services/guide.cfm
Harford County's resource guide provides a wide variety of programs and services to citizens. Business, government agencies, and non-profit organizations provide a rich source of assistance and information.
• Harford Transit

http://www.harfordcountymd.gov/services/transportation/
Harford Transit provides services for passengers with disabilities in accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990. For more information, contact the dispatcher at 410.612.1621, 410.838.2562, TDD: 410.612.1643.

• Autism Connect Maryland

http://www.AutismConnectMd.org
Sponsored by the Maryland State Department of Education's Division of Special Education/Early Intervention, this new website is a comprehensive online resource to assist parents, educators, and other interested individuals in locating and securing resources for individuals with autism.
• Division of Rehabilitation Services

http://dors.state.md.us
The mission of the Division of Rehabilitation Services is to provide leadership and support in promoting the employment, economic self-sufficiency and independence of individuals with disabilities.
• Employed Individuals with Disabilities Program

http://www.dhmh.state.md.us/html/hottopics_eid.htm
The Employed Individuals with Disabilities Program extends Medical Assistance health benefits to working Marylanders with disabilities. The site provides program criteria, an application to download and other information.
• Governor's Office of the Deaf and Hard of Hearing

http://odhh.md.gov
This website serves as a resource for the deaf and hard of hearing community as well as individuals and organizations working with people who are deaf or hard of hearing.
• Maryland Community Services Locator (MDCSL)

http://www.mdcsl.org
MDCSL is an interactive online directory developed to assist professionals and community members in locating community services. It allows users to get organizational contact information and other details, map resources by location, and get instant directions to programs.
• Maryland Department of Disabilities

http://www.mdod.state.md.us/
The mission of the new Maryland Department of Disabilities is to empower individuals with disabilities in the communities where they live to achieve their personal and professional goals.
• Maryland Department of Health and Mental Hygiene

http://dhmh.state.md.us
The Department of Health and Mental Hygiene web site has information about its many programs including Medicaid Waiver Programs, the Public Mental Health System, the Maryland Pharmacy Assistance Program, etc.
• Maryland Department of Housing and Community Development (DHCD)

http://www.dhcd.state.md.us
DHCD is a cabinet-level State agency committed to expanding homeownership, strengthening communities, and protecting the state's cultural heritage. DHCD's programs focus on increasing affordable workforce housing, revitalizing neighborhoods, and preserving Maryland's historic sites and traditions.
• Maryland Developmental Disabilities Administration

http://dhmh.state.md.us/dda_md/
The mission of the Developmental Disabilities Administration is to provide leadership to assure the full participation of individuals with developmental disabilities and their families in all aspects of community life. In addition, DDA's goal is to promote their empowerment to access quality supports and services necessary to foster personal growth, independence and productivity.
• Maryland Disability Law Center

http://www.mdlcbalto.org
The Maryland Disability Law Center (MDLC) is a private, non-profit organization staffed by attorneys and paralegals. MDLC is the protection and advocacy organization for Maryland. MDLC's mission is to ensure that people with disabilities are accorded the full rights and entitlements afforded to them by State and Federal law.
• Maryland Human Relations Commission

http://www.mchr.state.md.us/
The mission of the Maryland Commission on Human Relations is to insure equal opportunity to everyone who works in, lives in, or visits Maryland to promote better human relations in Maryland.
• Maryland Motor Vehicles Administration

http://www.mva.state.md.us/AboutMVA/DISABILITIES/default.htm
The Motor Vehicles Administration includes information for Maryland motorists with disabilities including parking accommodations and applying for special parking placards and registration plates.
• Maryland Relay

http://www.MDRelay.org
Maryland Relay, a public service provided by the State, enables people who are deaf, hard of hearing, deafblind or speech disabled to communicate by TTY (text telephone) with any standard phone user.
• Maryland State Library for the Blind and Physically Handicapped

http://www.lbph.lib.md.us/
The mission of the Maryland State Library for the Blind and Physically Handicapped is to provide comprehensive library services to the eligible blind and physically handicapped residents of the State of Maryland.
• Maryland Technology Assistance Program

http://www.mdtap.org
The broad mission of the Governor's Office for Individuals with Disabilities (OID) is to serve as the focal point for policy development and program initiatives relative to citizens with disabilities throughout the State of Maryland. OID monitors State and Federal legislation and programs that may impact citizens with disabilities as well as advocating on their behalf.

The mission of the Maryland Technology Assistance Program is to establish a statewide, consumer responsible system for the delivery of technology related assistance to individuals with disabilities, under the Assistive Technology Act of 1998. The site also provides links to hundreds of disability-related services, programs, and vendors.

• Maryland WorkFORCE Promise

http://www.mdworkforcepromise.org
Promotes the personal and professional independence of individuals with disabilities by effecting system change to eliminate barriers to employment.
• MDHousingSearch.org

http://www.mdhousingsearch.org
The Maryland Department of Housing and Community Development-sponsored website that provides information on rental housing units and availability across the State of Maryland. Housing providers, developers, and property managers can use this service to advertise their property listings free of charge.
• Resources for Maryland Families

http://www.maryland.gov/portal/server.pt?open=514&objID=4107&cached=true&mode=2
This State of Maryland webpage helps citizens to locate and access a range of State assist programs and services.

• Americans with Disabilities Act and Information Technology Info. Center

http://www.adainfo.org
The ADA & IT Information Center for the Mid-Atlantic Region is one of ten regional centers established to provide training, information, and technical assistance on the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) to businesses, consumers, and State and local governments.
• Baltimore Metropolitan Council

http://www.baltometro.org/Outabout/Outandabout.html
The Baltimore Metropolitan Council, on behalf of the Baltimore Regional Transportation Board, has released an updated and expanded edition of its "Out & About Travel Guide", to help the elderly and individuals with disabilities in the Baltimore region meet their special travel needs. The 2003 edition of the guide lists transportation providers who offer specialized and lift-equipped transportation services in Baltimore City, the City of Annapolis, and Anne Arundel, Baltimore, Carroll, Harford, and Howard counties.
• Blind Industries and Services of Maryland

http://bism.org/
Blind Industries and Services of Maryland (BISM) was established in 1908 by the Maryland General Assembly as a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization. BISM provides innovative rehabilitation services, training and stable employment opportunities to Maryland citizens who are blind or visually impaired.
• Making Choices for Independent Living

http://www.mcil-md.org
MCIL is a nonprofit agency of people with disabilities offering services and advocacy throughout the Baltimore Metropolitan Area. MCIL's mission is to provide services to help empower persons with disabilities to lead self-directed, independent and productive lives in the community.
• Maryland Developmental Disabilities Council

http://md-council.org
The Maryland Developmental Disabilities Council is a public policy organization comprised of people with disabilities and family members who are joined by state officials, service providers and other designated partners. The Council is an independent, self-governing organization that represents the interests of people with developmental disabilities and their families.
• National Center on Accessibility

http://www.ncaonline.org
A collaborative program of Indiana University and the National Park Service, the National Center on Accessibility is a national resource promoting access for people with disabilities in recreation.

• ATBCB (Access Board)

http://www.access-board.gov
The Architectural and Transportation Barriers Compliance Board provides information, publications and technical assistance on the Americans with Disabilities Act Accessibility Guidelines.
• Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)

http://www.cdc.gov/node.do/id/0900f3ec8000e01a
The CDC works to identify the causes of birth defects and developmental disabilities, help children to develop and reach their full potential, and promote health and well-being among people of all ages with disabilities. CDC also works to prevent injuries, such as traumatic brain injury, and their resulting disabilities.
• Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD)

http://www.hud.gov
HUD's mission is to increase homeownership, support community development and increase access to affordable housing free from discrimination. The site has information for: people with disabilities, homebuyers, senior citizens, veterans/military, kids, students, researchers, landlords, tenants, farmworkers, Native Americans, victims of discrimination, etc.
• Department of Labor

http://www.dol.gov
The Department of Labor's Office of Disability Employment Policy (ODEP) seeks to increase employment opportunities for people with disabilities by expanding access to training, education, employment supports, assistive technology, integrated employment, entrepreneurial development, and small-business opportunities.
• DisabilityInfo.gov

http://www.disabilityinfo.gov
A directory of government web links relevant to people with disabilities, their families, employers, service providers and other community members.
• Equal Employment Opportunity Commission

http://www.eeoc.gov
The Equal Employment Opportunity Commission provides information, technical assistance and publications on the employment provisions of the Americans with Disabilities Act. This agency is also responsible for enforcing Title I of the law.
• FCC Disabilities Rights Office

http://www.fcc.gov/cgb/dro
The Federal Communications Commission is responsible for enforcing the telecommunications provisions of the ADA.
• GovBenefits.gov

http://www.govbenefits.gov
GovBenefits.gov helps citizens access government benefit eligibility information through a free, confidential, and easy-to-use online screening tool. After answering some basic questions, the user receives a customized report listing the benefit programs for which the user, or a person for whom he or she is entering information, may be eligible.
• Job Accommodation Network (JAN)

http://www.jan.wvu.edu
A service of the Office of Disability Employment Policy (ODEP) of the U.S. Department of Labor. In addition to providing information on job accommodations, self-employment and small business opportunities, JAN provides information on the Americans with Disabilities Act.
• Office of Disability Employment Policy

http://www.dol.gov/odep/
The Office of Disability Employment Policy (ODEP) provides national leadership on disability employment policy by developing and influencing the use of evidence-based disability employment policies and practices, building collaborative partenrships, and delivering authoritative and credible data on employment of people with disabilities.
• Social Security Administration

http://www.ssa.gov
The official web site of the Social Security Administration contains information about applying for benefits, etc.
• U.S. Dept. of Justice - ADA

http://www.usdoj.gov/crt/ada/
The Department of Justice provides information, technical assistance and publications on the State and local government and public accommodations provisions of the ADA (Titles II and III). This agency also has enforcement responsibilities under both titles.
• U.S. Dept. of Transportation

http://www.dot.gov/accessibility/
The Department of Transportation is responsible for enforcing the public transportation provisions of the Americans with Disabilities Act.

Get involved with the legislative process! Links to governmental agencies provide information about the legislative process, how to get involved, and how to contact elected officials. Additional links to agencies and organizations that advocate for individuals with disabilities provide a cross-section of opinion on disability-related issues and legislation. These links are provided for informational purposes only and are not meant as an endorsement. Views and opinions are not necessarily those of Harford County Government and the Harford County Commission on Disabilities.

• Maryland General Assembly

http://mlis.state.md.us/2009rs/subjects/disabilities.htm
The Maryland General Assembly meets in Annapolis each year for 90 days to act on more than 2300 bills including the State's annual budget. The 426th Session began on January 14th and adjourns on April 13, 2009. This link provides a list of proposed disability-related legislation.
• Who are your elected officials in Maryland?

http://mdelect.net
This link provides a list of your elected officials with biographical and contact information, including email address.
• American Foundation for the Blind

http://www.afb.org/Section.asp?SectionID=3

• Autism Society of America

http://www.autism-society.org/site/PageServer?pagename=research_advo

• Brain Injury Association of Maryland

http://www.biamd.org/

• Disability Policy Collaboration

http://www.ucp.org/ucp_general.cfm/1/8
UCP (United Cerebral Palsy) has joined forces with the Arc of the United States in establishing the Disability Policy Collaboration. This Collaboration focuses on legislative and legal supports to improve the lives of individuals with disabilities and their families. The Disability Policy staff interact with Congress and the Administration to meet the goal of improving the lives of individuals with disabilities and their families.
• Disabled American Veterans

http://capwiz.com/dav/home/

• Epilepsy Foundation

http://www.epilepsyfoundation.org/advocacy/govaff/statements.cfm

• Goodwill Industries International

http://www.goodwill.org/page/guest/about/publicpolicypriorities

• Making Choices for Independent Living

http://www.mcil-md.org/Advocacy.htm

• Maryland Association of Community Services

http://www.macsonline.org/shared/layouts/section.jsp?_event=view&_id=120130_U127121__131520
MACS is a private nonprofit organization dedicated to strengthening agencies to better support pople with developmental disabilities and their families in their own communities.
• Mental Health Association of Maryland

http://www.mhamd.org/policy/bills.html

• National Federation of the Blind

http://www.nfb.org/nfb/Press_Room.asp?SnID=1048882366

• The Arc of Maryland, Inc.

http://www.thearcmd.org/public_policy/index.html

• The President's Committee for People with Intellectual Disabilities

http://www.acf.hhs.gov/acf_policy_planning.html

• United Cerebral Palsy

http://ga4.org/publicpolicy/home.html

• Disability Preparedness Resource Center

http://www.disabilitypreparedness.gov
A leading source of information on emergency preparedness for people with disabilities and the official site of the Interagency Coordinating Council on Emergency Preparedness and Individuals with Disabilities.
• Disaster Preparedness for People with Disabilities

http://www.redcross.org/portal/site/en/menuitem.d8aaecf214c576bf971e4cfe43181aa0/?vgnextoid=25920c45f663b110VgnVCM10000089f0870aRCRD&vgnextfmt=default
Disaster Preparedness for People with Disabilities has been designed by the American Red Cross to help people who have physical, visual, auditory, or cognitive disabilities to prepare for natural disasters and their consequences.
• Emergency Management and People with Disabilities: Before During and After

http://www.ncd.gov/newsroom/publications/2005/transcript_emergencymgt.htm
Transcript of a Congressional Briefing, November 10, 2005, hosted by the National Council on Disability, the National Council on Independent Living, the National Organization on Disability, the National Spinal Cord Injury Association and the Paralyzed Veterans of America.
• Emergency Procedures for Employees with Disabilities in Office Occupancies

http://www.prepare.org/disabilities/FEMAevac.pdf
This document, prepared by the Federal Emergency Management Agency and the United States Fire Administration, outlines the principles of safe egress from a building: providing for detection of the potential emergency; notification to building occupants and visitors of the potential danger; and movement through building spaces to a protected exitway by which they can leave the building.
• Emergency Transportation Website for People with Disabilities

http://www.emergencyprep.dot.gov
A site made available for the Department of Transportation to provide information on accessible evacuation.
• Harford County Division of Emergency Operations Emergency Needs Survey

http://www.harfordcountymd.gov/Downloads.cfm?FormID=877
Periodically, the Harford County Division of Emergency Operations conducts a survey to identify residents with emergency needs who require assistance with evacuation in the event of a major, area-wide emergency or disaster. Residents with certain disabilities listed on the form who have no support network and need public safety assistance to evacuate during a disaster are encouraged to complete the form.
• Maryland Department of Disabilities (MDOD)

http://www.mdod.maryland.gov/Be%20Prepared.aspx
MDOD envisions a Maryland where people with disabilities will be prepared for any natural or man-made disaster or emergency, and be able to take care of their own basic needs for a minimum of 72 hours without formal emergency management assistance. This site provides resources, information, and links to other sites.
• National Association of the Deaf

http://www.nad.org/site/pp.asp?c=foINKQMBF&b=99539
The National Association for Deaf provides information and resources on the issue of access to weather and emergency information sources for individuals who are deaf or hard of hearing.
• National Organization on Disability Emergency Preparedness Initiative

http://www.nod.org/emergency
The National Organization on Disability provides a variety of resources on emergency preparedness including Disaster Readiness Tips for People with Mobility, Sensory, and Developmental or Cognitive Disabilities.
• Preparing the Workplace for Everyone

http://www.dol.gov/odep/pubs/ep/preparing2.htm
A guide for Federal agencies in ensuring that their emergency plans adequately cover the needs of employees with disabilities.
• The Center for Disability and Special Needs Preparedness

http://www.disabilitypreparedness.org/
Works to ensure that all individuals are included in the development and implementation of plans for protection from natural and man-made emergencies.

• College-Bound Students with Disabilities

http://www.going-to-college.org
Helps highs school students learn about living college life with a disability. The site provides video clips, activities, and resources that can help students get a head start in planning for college. Video interviews with college student with disabilities offer a way to hear firsthand from students with disabilities who have been successful.
• HEATH Resource Center

http://www.heath.gwu.edu
A clearinghouse on postsecondary education for individuals with disabilities.
• Including All Kids

http://www.includingallkids.org
Including All Kids, part of the Beyond Participation project, promotes inclusion of children and youth with disabilities in community-based youth programs and organizations.
• Maryland Youth Leadership Forum

http://www.md-ylf.org/index.php
The Maryland Youth Leadership Forum identifies high school students with disabilities who demonstrate leadership potential, academic success, and involvement in school and community. The Youth Leadership forum is held each summer, usually in late July. It is a 4 day program on a colleg campus, sponsored by the Maryland State Department of Education and other state and private organizations.
• National Center on Education, Disability and Juvenile Justice (EDJJ)

http://www.edjj.org/
EDJJ provides techinical assistance, conducts research, and disseminates resources related to special education and transition services for detained and incarcerated youth with disabilities, as well as prevention of school failure and delinquency.
• National Collaborative on Workforce and Disability for Youth

http://www.ncwd-youth.info/
NCWD/Youth is a source for information about employment and youth with disabilities for youth and family members, employers, and youth service providers.
• National Secondary Transition Tech. Assist. Center

http://www.nsttac.org
NSTTAC works to improve transition planning services, and post-school outcomes for youth with disabilities.

Links to disability-related support groups and meetings.

• Harford County Kids Magazine - Support Groups

http://www.harfordcountykids.com/locallinks.cfm?page=Support%20Groups&LorN=

• Upper Chesapeake HealthLink

http://www.uchs.org/?section=healthlink&page=about_healthlink
Provides a listing of support groups and educational programs.

The following links provide data about persons with disabilities at the county, state and national level.

• Access to Disability Data

http://www.infouse.com/disabilitydata/home/index.php
Funded by the National Institute on Disability and Rehabilitation Research, includes chartbooks on Mental Health and Disability, Women and Disability, Work and Disability, and Disability in the U.S.
• Bureau of Labor Statistics - Employment Status of People with a Disability

http://www.bls.gov/cps/cpsdisability.htm//
In June 2008, questions were added to the Current Population Survey (CPS) to identify persons with a disability in the civilian noninstitutional population age 16 and older. The addition of these questions allowed BLS to begin releasing monthly labor force data from the CPS for persons with a disability.
• Disability Characteristics

http://factfinder.census.gov/servlet/STTable?_bm=y&-qr_name=ACS_2007_1YR_G00_S1801&-geo_id=05000US24025&-ds_name=ACS_2007_1YR_G00_&-_lang=en&-redoLog=false
Harford County, Maryland, from the U.S. Census Bureau’s 2007 American Community Survey.
• Disability Statistics

http://disabilitystatistics.org
An online resource for U.S. Disability Statistics developed by Cornell University, with funding from the National Institute on Disability Rehabilitation Research (NIDRR). The site features disability statistics and related demographic information.
• National Center for Health Statistics (NCHS)

http://www.cdc.gov/nchs/fastats/disable.htm
NCHS provides data on vital events, health status, lifestyle and exposure to unhealthy influences, the onset and diagnosis of illness and disability, and the use of health care. This section of disability statistics includes tables of data based on age, sex, race, income, location, and combinations of these characteristics. The webpage also lists some quick statistics on use of technology and numbers of Americans with specific disabilities.
• National Organization on Disability/Harris Poll survey research data

http://www.nod.org/index.cfm?fuseaction=Page.viewPage&pageID=31
National Organization on Disability/Harris Poll survey research data on the participation of people with disabilities in American life.
• Selected Social Characteristics

http://factfinder.census.gov/servlet/ADPTable?_bm=y&-geo_id=05000US24025&-qr_name=ACS_2005_EST_G00_DP2&-ds_name=ACS_2005_EST_G00_&-_lang=en&-redoLog=false&-_sse=on
Harford County, Maryland, from the U.S. Census Bureau’s 2005 American Community Survey.

• "Parallels in Time Part 2"

http://www.mncdd.org/parallels2/index.htm
Focuses on the experiences of people with developmental disabilities from 1950 through 2005.
• "Parallels in Time: A History of Developmental Disabilities"

http://www.mncdd.org/parallels/index.html
Looks at the experiences of people with disabilities from ancient through modern times.
• "The Disability Rights Movement"

http://americanhistory.si.edu/disabilityrights/
A virtual exhibit presneted by the Smithsonian National Museum of American History.
• Disability Social History Project

http://www.disabilityhistory.org
A community, participatory project. People with disabilities are invited to contribute items of interest.
• The Museum of disABILITY History

http://www.museumofdisability.org
An extensive virtual museum featuring sections on disability in the media, society, and medicine. The site was developed in cooperation with People, Inc. and the B. Thomas Golisano Foundation.