Celebrate Disability Culture and Achievements in MD

Fri, 22 Jul 2022 17:36:49 -0400

Governor Hogan signed an Executive Order last year making every July "Disability Culture and Achievements Month" (DCAM) in Maryland. DCAM promotes the efforts of Marylanders who work to change our state for the better by promoting equality of opportunity, access, and choice for individuals with disabilities. This is a fitting month to recognize DCAM as we (the Maryland Department of Disabilities, the Maryland Developmental Disabilities Council and UMBC celebrate the anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), landmark civil rights legislation that ensures access, equality, and inclusion for people with disabilities. It's vital to recognize the important contributions of Marylanders with disabilities to our state.

To honor this month, MDOD has announced two new awards, the first annual-Governor's Award for Disability Culture and the Governor's Award for Disability Achievements. These awards will highlight how individuals with disabilities live, learn, work, and play in the community. Tell them how your nominee expands, creates, or improves disability culture or achievements in Maryland.

The Governor's Award for Disability Culture will focus on the arts, and could include painting, sculpture, music, theater, performance, etc.

The Governor's Award for Disability Achievements will be broader, and focused on nominees who have successfully promoted equal opportunity, access, and choice in their lives or the lives of others.

Complete their nomination form to send the Md Department of Disabilities your nominee. You may nominate multiple people, and must complete a separate form for each entry. Click on the website button to access the form.

Nominations are due by July 31, 2022

A photo of a bronze statue of three jubilant men together accompanies this post. The closest man has his arm raised as a victorious gesture, the tallest man is smiling and embracing the others from behind.