Disabilities rights advocates voice concerns at Salisbury Town Hall

SALISBURY, Md. – Community members gathered in Salisbury on Saturday afternoon to voice concerns about proposed state budget cuts impacting disability programs.

Families, caregivers, and advocates met face-to-face with local and state leaders at a town hall on West Gordy Road. The discussion focused on how potential funding reductions could affect services that individuals with disabilities rely on every day. Organizers say the goal was to make sure lawmakers hear directly from the people who would feel the impact most.

“So my concern is right now that the caregivers are going to lose half of their pay,” said Shana Farlow, an advocate and guardian of her two brothers. “When this happens, this is just not going to affect people like Andrew and Nathan, my brothers, and disabled families. This is going to affect the people that help and then its going to affect their families because they’re not going to get paid as much and to be honest, you can go to Starbucks and make more money.”

Several elected officials attended, including State Senators and Delegates representing the Eastern Shore, along with county leaders. Advocates say they hope the conversation leads to reconsideration of the proposed cuts as the state budget process continues.

“So I actually have had the opportunity to talk to Governor Wes Moore a couple different times about this, and each time has been, ‘Well we will definitely make sure out team follows up with you,'” says Cody Stevens, President & CEO of Anchor Initiative. “We have sent emails and phone calls back and forth. But as getting back in the room with Moore, you heard just as much as I had.”

Advocates say the next few weeks in Annapolis could determine the future of these programs.