Advocates gather in Annapolis to protest DDA cuts

Annapolis, Md. – Advocates gathered in front of the State House in Annapolis on Monday protest against cuts to the Maryland Developmental Disabilities Administration.

As the special session devoted solely to the question of redistricting kicked off, advocates say they wanted to remind legislators how funding cuts to the DDA would directly impact those with special needs and their caretakers. The millions of dollars in cuts are scheduled to go into effect this fall and advocates are hoping legislators will put a pause on them for the remainder of this fiscal year.

Sherry Handley works as a family liaison for DDA provider Elevate Spectrum. She met with others in front of the State House steps to advocate against the impending cuts.

“There were wage cuts that were supposed to happen specifically to self-directed employees July 1 and they did pause that until October 1,” she said. “We would like to see that not happen. It’s going to be devastating to families and to participants.”

Handley said some people have already had to let go of staff from the slates cuts.

Despite the fact that legislators are only supposed to consider a proposed amendment to the state constitution that would posit a change in how congressional lines are drawn on midterm ballots and select bills, Handley says it was still important to get in front of legislators during the special session.

“We wanted to come out and make some noise to let them know that we’re not going away. We want to be heard,” she said.