Independence Now, Inc.

12/29/2025

Self-advocacy is at the heart of independent living. These groups hosted by "Empowering Partners" help people with disabilities build confidence, use their voices, and connect with peers in their community.

If you’re in Montgomery County, don’t miss the STAND Together self-advocacy group meeting on January 14. This is a great way to start the new year by strengthening your self-advocacy skills.

Thanks to The Arc Maryland for sharing these opportunities, and we’re glad to help spread the word to the Independence Now community!

Need a New Year’s resolution? How about improving your self-advocacy skills! Throughout January, Maylanders with intellectual and developmental disabilities are invited to join a local self-advocacy group supported by the "Empowering Partners" initiative! Find a group near you at http://www.thearcmd.org/empowering-partners

12/27/2025

Great reminder for our community 💙 Many people don’t realize they can use VR services first for training and skill-building, then transition to an Employment Network for continued support once they’re working. Taking it step by step can make employment goals feel more achievable and sustainable. This is a helpful example of how the right supports at the right time can make a real difference.

Did you know you can use Vocational Rehabilitation (VR) services first and then transition to an Employment Network (EN) through Ticket to Work? Many people start with VR to build skills and get training and then move to an EN for ongoing support as they begin working.

This story shows how taking it step by step can help you reach your employment goals with the right support at each stage.
https://bit.ly/45jXz2E

12/26/2025

ABLE accounts can be a powerful tool for individuals with disabilities and their families. Be sure to check out their next webinar on Monday, January 5. Details below!

FYI - Every month, ABLE today hosts an interactive webinar open to the public.
Join ABLE experts to learn about ABLE Account during a 30 minute presentation covering all ABLE topics (what is ABLE, who qualifies, how it works and much more).

Register for upcoming webinar on January 5, 2026, Noon webinar link https://streamyard.com/watch/CXHZeMxX8PVX

12/24/2025

Wishing you happy holidays from all of us at Independence Now! ❄️

We are grateful for our community and the opportunity to support independence and inclusion throughout the year.

Please note that our offices will be closed on:
- Christmas Day, December 25, 2025
- New Year’s Day, January 1, 2026

We look forward to connecting again in the new year and wish you a safe, joyful, and healthy holiday season.

IMAGE: Holiday graphic with a blue winter background and snowflakes. The text reads “Happy Holidays.” A snowman wearing a black top hat, red scarf, and red mittens is seated in a wheelchair that forms part of the Independence Now logo. The words “Independence Now” appear below the illustration.

12/23/2025

As we look back on the powerful moments and connections from the 2025 Maryland Youth Leadership Forum (MD YLF), we’re already looking ahead to what’s next. ✨

The new year is a great time to start thinking about opportunities that build confidence, leadership, and community. Applications are now open for the 2026 Maryland Youth Leadership Forum, taking place in June 2026.

While summer may feel far away, the application deadline will be here before you know it. Applications are due **February 28, 2026**.

Learn more and apply: https://www.innow.org/mdylf/

See the 2025 MDYLF photo album: https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.1206408048167227&type=3

12/22/2025

There’s still time to spread holiday cheer with Independence Now!

The holiday season isn’t over yet, and you can still make a meaningful difference by supporting Independence Now’s Amazon Holiday Wish List. Your gift, whether big or small, helps bring joy, independence, and connection to people with disabilities in our community.

Each item on the list directly supports a consumer, from adaptive tools and home essentials to thoughtful surprises that help make the season feel special. Even after the holidays, these gifts continue to have a real, lasting impact.

We know this time of year can be busy and budgets can feel tight, which is why every act of generosity truly matters. If you’re able, there’s still an opportunity to give and help brighten someone’s day.

Visit our Amazon Wish List: https://buff.ly/7TruLKf

Choose a gift that speaks to your heart and ship it directly to Independence Now.

Together, we can continue spreading kindness and reminding our community that they are seen, valued, and supported.

12/22/2025

If you are considering working or returning to work while receiving disability benefits this is a helpful resource to check out.

Choose Work! answers common questions about Ticket to Work and how employment can fit with your benefits.

For more personalized guidance Independence Now’s Work Incentives Planning and Assistance program through Maryland WIN can help you understand how work may affect SSI SSDI and other benefits.

12/19/2025

The holidays are for giving... and Independence Now gives thanks for its productive partnership with the Maryland Department of Disabilities (MDOD). Together, we are committed to improving quality of life for youth and adults with disabilities. Independence Now Executive Director Diane Palmer enjoyed attending MDOD's holiday party in Baltimore on December 17. The gathering was festive and served as a great opportunity to celebrate accomplishments for serving people with disabilities.

IMAGES: Six photos from a holiday event hosted by Maryland Accessible Telecommunications. Images include Diane Palmer, Executive Director of Independence Now, B**g Delrosario, Betsy Hein, and Maryland Secretary Carol Beatty posing individually and in small groups in front of a Maryland Accessible Telecommunications step-and-repeat banner and a decorated holiday tree. One photo shows a selfie, and another shows a larger group indoors at the event. Alt text embedded in individual images.

Maryland Relay

12/19/2025

The National Council on Disability (NCD) is asking for public input on disability clinical care and competency training for medical professionals. This Request for Information (RFI) will help shape an upcoming policy brief on how well U.S. medical schools and training programs prepare providers to care for disabled patients.

NCD is seeking feedback from people with disabilities, families, clinicians, educators, and advocates on existing curricula, barriers to implementation, and how disability competency skills can improve care for all patients, including those with complex or chronic conditions.

Comments are due by 11:59 p.m. EST on January 6, 2026, and should be emailed to NCD Senior Attorney Advisor Amged Soliman at asoliman@ncd.gov.

Learn more and read the full RFI:
NCD announcement: https://buff.ly/nyMW11C
Full RFI text: https://buff.ly/DYwAdr4

Dec. 1, 2025 WASHINGTON–The National Council on Disability (NCD) is requesting information to help inform an upcoming policy brief. The request for information (RFI) concerns the need for disability clinical care and competency training of medical professionals. With respect to the status of disab...

12/19/2025

Our latest Weekly Roundup is here ❄️

Catch holiday updates from Independence Now, watch the newest I AM session on Social Security now available on YouTube, explore upcoming events, youth opportunities, and ways to share your voice in research and advocacy.

Read now - https://mailchi.mp/23e3c2d80dd2/12122025-13059327

Wishing you a safe, joyful, and healthy holiday season!

12/18/2025

Independent Living services play a critical role in helping people with disabilities live, work, and participate fully in their communities. NCIL’s Protect IL initiative highlights the importance of safeguarding these programs through nonpartisan education and advocacy.

Learn more about the effort and why Independent Living matters nationwide ⬇️

Join the Protect Independent Living Campaign!

Learn more / donate: https://bit.ly/48HxsoA

For over 40 years, the National Council on Independent Living (NCIL) has worked to ensure that people with disabilities have the same right as anyone else: to live independently, in their own homes, and as part of their communities.

Today, that right faces new uncertainty. Shifts in federal funding and oversight have created instability for the nationwide network of Centers for Independent Living (CILs) and Statewide Independent Living Councils (SILCs).

These organizations provide critical services and advocacy every day, helping people transition out of institutions, securing housing, making homes accessible, providing peer mentoring, and ensuring access to healthcare, education, and employment.

When funding is disrupted, lives are disrupted. Without support, people risk losing their independence, being forced into costly institutions, or going without essential services.

That’s why NCIL is launching the Protect IL Campaign. This campaign will defend the infrastructure that makes supports and service delivery possible and stronger.

Together, we can protect what matters most: the freedom of every person with a disability to live in their own home, make their own choices, and participate fully in community life.

Join us. Protect Independent Living.

Image: Protect Independent Living Logo features a black umbrella. Beneath, the National Council on Independent Living logo features a multi-colored fingerprint.

12/17/2025

Independence Now's annual consumer holiday party was a festive hit! The gathering was held at the Silver Spring Recreation and Aquatic Center. Highlights included delicious food, hot cocoa, and karaoke performed by guests. Smiles and holiday cheer filled the room as guests opened up a variety of holiday gifts, and they communicated heartwarming thoughts about what they're grateful for. We wish all of our consumers happy holidays and a 2026 with magnificence! 🎄✨