Developmental Disabilities

Maryland Contacts

State Agency Responsible for Providing Services to the Developmentally Disabled

In Maryland there are two programs that assist with employment for workers with developmental disabilities. The Developmental Disabilities Administration (DDA) (http://www/ddamaryland.org) within the Department of Health and Mental Hygiene operates programs for sheltered employment as well as supported employment. DDA has 4 regional offices. These regional offices provide administrative oversight, coordination, and management for the DDA funded community based services. Services are purchased from the approximately 100 community based service providers throughout the state.

State Agency Responsible for Overseeing Employment Opportunities for the Developmentally Disabled

The Division of Rehabilitation Services (DRS) located in the Department of Education also provides services for workers with developmental disabilities. The DRS offers programs and services for eligible individuals including vocational evaluation, skills training, and job placement assistance. There are 20 statewide Rehabilitation Services offices. For more information on DORS and the services they provide go to their website.

Sheltered Employment

Sheltered workshops are also accredited by CARF and meet the standards set forth in the rules for Mental Health, Developmental Disabilities and Substance Abuse Facilities and Services Manual. CARF requires the service provider to conduct an annual comprehensive safety inspection, emergency procedures, personnel training on safety issues, and critical incident reporting, among other things.

Sheltered workshops in Maryland are paid for, licensed, and monitored by the Maryland Department of Mental Health and Hygiene, Developmental Disabilities Administration (DDA). Statewide 31 DDA funded community based services offer sheltered workshops. To access sheltered employment services contact your regional DDA office.

Competitive Employment

Both the Department of Rehabilitation Services (DORS) and the Developmental Disabilities Administration (DDA) provide job placement assistance and opportunities for non-sheltered private employment.

Health and Safety

Maryland Occupational Safety and Health (MOSH) offers an on-site consultation program to provide small employers, free of charge, with advice on workplace safety. To request an on-site consultation fill out the form at the following website: http://www.dllr.state.md.us/forms/moshvolcform.htm

Since 1971, the Division of Labor and Industry has been the agency responsible for Maryland's Occupational Safety and Health Plan. The Maryland Occupational Safety and Health program, known as MOSH, is the state's OSHA program. MOSH covers every Maryland employer in a business, trade, commercial or industrial activity, who has one or more employees. MOSH recommends that any employee concern about health and safety should first be brought to the employer's attention, if possible. If the employer does not correct the hazard or disagrees about the extent of the hazard, a complaint may be filed with MOSH.

Reporting Abuse and Neglect

Suspected cases of abuse and neglect related to the workplace should be reported to the caseworker. The Office of Health Care Quality investigates reported cases of abuse and neglect occurring within developmental disabilities programs and services.

Protection and Advocacy

Another organization working on behalf of those with developmental disabilities is the Maryland Developmental Disabilities Council.

The Maryland Disability Law Center (MDLC) is the Protection and Advocacy organization for citizens with disabilities. 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.