The Arc Maryland Selected as a Chapter Champion for Justice

ANNAPOLIS, Md. - July 2, 2014 - PRLog -- The Arc Maryland, the state’s largest statewide grassroots advocacy organization dedicated to the rights of persons with intellectual and developmental disabilities (I/DD), has been selected as one of five Chapters of The Arc nationwide to support the implementation of The Arc U.S.’s National Center for Criminal Justice and Disability (NCCJD) “Pathways to Justice” Training program to build the capacity of the criminal justice system to effectively serve and protect people with I/DD in the state of Maryland.   The Arc Maryland will receive a stipend from The Arc U.S., funded by the U.S. Department of Justice, to develop a Disability Response Team (DRT) to receive program training and certification.

Individuals with intellectual and/or developmental disabilities (including children, youth and adults with disabilities such as autism, cerebral palsy and Down syndrome) represent 3 % of the population living in our communities as valuable contributing citizens. Individuals with I/DD are disproportionately victimized and disproportionately suspected of criminal activity—7 times more likely to come in contact with law enforcement than the general population.

“When individuals with I/DD become involved in the criminal justice system as suspects or victims, they often face miscommunication, fear, confusion and prejudice. The Arc’s National Center on Criminal Justice and Disability plays a critical role in improving first response and communication between people with I/DD and the justice system nationally. Through NCCJD’s Pathways to Justice training program we are tapping into the most powerful resource The Arc possesses – our chapter network. The five chapters selected to implement the training program either have longstanding criminal justice programs or a commitment to building their capacity to provide such training, both of which are invaluable to achieving NCCJD’s overall goals. We look forward to working closely with each chapter and learning from their work. Through this collaborative effort NCCJD will become a national focal point for the collection and dissemination of resources and serve as a bridge between the justice and disability communities,” said Peter Berns, CEO of The Arc.

Ninety thousand Maryland citizens are individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities, according to Governor O’Malley’s Commission for Effective Community Inclusion of Individuals with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities.  The Commission was established as a reaction to the tragic death of Frederick County resident Ethan Saylor, who had Down syndrome, and is an effort to improve the training of law enforcement, paramedics and other first responders to better respond to people with intellectual and developmental disabilities.  Several Commission members are confirmed to serve on The Arc Maryland’s Disability Response Team (DRT), including Scott Davis, Montgomery County Police Department Crisis Intervention Team Coordinator; Terri Sparks, Maryland Disability Law Center; Sara Hart Weir, National Down Syndrome Society; and Erica Wheeler, Carroll County.

Disability Response Teams consist of representatives from law enforcement, legal, victim advocacy, self-advocacy and other disability advocacy organizations.  The Arc Maryland’s DRT team includes:

Richard Davis, Team Leader, The Arc Maryland

Julie Davis, The Arc Maryland

Officer Scott Davis, Montgomery County Police Department

Aaron Kaufman, Self-Advocate, The Arc Maryland

Maryland Chiefs of Police Association (MCPA)

Vicki Mills, Self-Advocate, People on the Go

Darren M. Popkin, Montgomery County Sheriff

Patti Saylor, Family Advocate, Frederick County

Ginny Sessions, National Down Syndrome Society

Teri Sparks, Maryland Disability Law Center

Erica Wheeler, Self-Advocate, Carroll County

Sara Hart Weir, National Down Syndrome Society

Tracy Wright, Self-Advocate, The Arc Maryland

The Arc Maryland DRT member Patti Saylor, who recently testified before a Senate Judiciary Subcommittee in April on “Law Enforcement Responses to Disabled Americans: Promising Approaches for Protecting Public Safety,” remarked to news of The Arc U.S. NCCJD training opportunity: “I could not be happier about this progress.  The future is a little brighter today!”

“The Arc has a long history of criminal justice and first responder training on a national level.  Since the Saylor tragedy, The Arc Maryland has developed law enforcement training--presented at the Governor’s Fall Criminal Justice Conference--and a train-the-trainer first responder pilot program for self-advocates around the state.  The Arc Maryland successfully lobbied for legislation that requires new and existing law enforcement officers to receive training on how to interact with people who have I/DD.  We’re happy to contribute our experience in any way that can benefit the NCCJD and individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities and their families,” said Heather East, Acting Executive Director, The Arc Maryland.

About The Arc Maryland:

The Arc Maryland is a grassroots advocacy organization dedicated to creating a world where children and adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities have and enjoy equal rights and opportunities.