Living The Life
You Want
Welcome To Our Official Website
SDAN VISION STATEMENT
We envision people with intellectual and developmental disabilities living self-directed, fulfilling lives with access to all the long-term services and supports they need.
SDAN MISSION STATEMENT
SDAN-Maryland’s mission is to advocate for participant choice, control, flexibility, and the sustainability of self-directed services and supports. We do this through education, training, legislative advocacy, maintaining partnerships with state agencies and divisions, and collaborating with organizations committed to supporting people with intellectual and developmental disabilities.
Your Life, Your Choice
Recent Information
News
Join Advocates for a Rally to “Save Our DD Services” – Monday Night In Annapolis
We are facing an unprecedented threat to DD supports with draconian cuts to funding for people with developmental disabilities and providers of community-based supports. On Monday Night, please come to Lawyers Mall in Annapolis to join the Maryland DD Coalition Rally...
SDAN LEGISLATIVE ADVOCACY RESOURCES
#1. On December 9, 2024, the MDH-DDA reported on Self-Directed Services and IFDGS spending to the Joint Chairs of the Senate Budget and Taxation and the House Appropriation Committees: * DOWNLOAD the MDH-DDA report: Department of Health-Developmental Disabilities...
IMPORTANT HEARING DATES
In addition to DD Day at the legislature on Thursday, February 13th, here are other important dates to add to your calendar. More on coordinating with others in our community for DD Day and one-pager talking points will follow in a separate email. BUDGET HEARINGS -...
2025 LEGISLATIVE UPDATES for SELF-DIRECTED SERVICES
In his fiscal 2026 budget proposal, Governor Wes Moore recently called for a $200 million reduction in funding for the Developmental Disabilities Administration (DDA). If you witnessed the unprecedented denials and other actions taken by the Department of Health (MDH)...
SDAN Membership Meeting – Prepare for Developmental Disabilities Day at the Legislature with SDAN
In support of your personal advocacy, SDAN hosted a DD DAY PREP SESSION via Zoom on Friday, January 17 at 12PM. Learn what to expect in Annapolis and learn how to create your personal one-pager to share with legislators on DD Day, or another day! The meeting...
Developmental Disabilities Day At The Legislature
YOUR HELP IS DESPERATELY NEEDED TO ENSURE SELF-DIRECTION IS PART OF THE CONVERSATION IN ANNAPOLIS! Last November, with its "Self-Direction Manual" MDH-DDA showed us all the future that it envisions for Self-Direction... less funding, lower wages, limited IFDGS... we...
SDAN Membership Meeting – Building Relationships with Elected Officials for Effective Advocacy
SDAN held a General Membership Meeting on Friday, January 10, 2025, featuring guest speaker Heather Sachs, Policy & Advocacy Co-Director for the National Down Syndrome Congress. If you've ever been intimidated by the idea of speaking with your elected...
HEAR OUR VOICES – STOP THE DDA POLICY
Join us for a rally to stop the self-direction policies that were developed without input from stakeholders—YOU, and all the other people who will be hurt by them. DOWNLOAD AND SHARE THE FLYER TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 19th 11:30-12:30 LAWYERS MALL, ANNAPOLIS DIRECTIONS...
SDAN Membership Meeting – Issues/Advocacy on New DDA Policies
SDAN held a General Membership Meeting on Wednesday, November 13, 2024 to discuss issues and advocacy on the new DDA policies. On October 24, 2024, the DDA announced sweeping new changes to Self-Direction, without any real input from the Self-Direction community on...
DDA Community Meeting – November 14 @ 2:30 ACTION ALERT!
SDAN ACTION ALERT! It is important for all who self direct to attend this meeting with DDA at 2:30pm on November 14. To join the DDA Community Meeting, please click the link below: Meeting Link: meet.google.com/ygz-iauk-owt Time: November 14, 2024, from 2:30 to 3:30...
More Lives, More Choices!
Nick’s Story: Choice, Community, and Safety Through Self-Direction
Nick is 31 years old and lives with his mom and dad, who have spent his life helping him build a meaningful place in the world. He is autistic and nonverbal, communicating primarily through an app on his iPad, along with a few signs and spoken words. Even without many...
Mat’s Story: Building Stability, Independence, and a Future
For Mat self-direction isn’t just a service model - it’s the foundation that allows him to work, lead, and live independently. At 39 years old, Mat supports himself and his brother, who lives with autism and schizophrenia and recently moved into Mat’s home....