The Image Center for People with Disabilities

03/12/2026

There was a time when many people with developmental disabilities were hidden, segregated, or excluded from community life.

History matters.

Not for nostalgia — for understanding.

03/12/2026

📚✨ 504 vs. SPED Webinar ✨📚

Did you miss our first session? No worries — there’s still time to join us!

Understanding the difference between 504 and Special Education (SPED) can make a big difference when advocating for your child at school. During this session, we’ll cover:

✅ Eligibility Requirements
⚖️ Key Laws and Protections
🔍 Differences between 504 and SPED
📣 Parental Rights and Advocacy

📅 Next session: March 25 @ 1 PM
🔗 Register here: https://tinyurl.com/504vsSPED2

We’re hosting additional sessions on the fourth Wednesday of each month, so families have multiple opportunities to attend. We hope you’ll join us! 💙

03/07/2026

Your community is your power. Join the Maryland Independent Living community for a conversation led by Dave Drezner, Executive Director of The Freedom Center, focused on practical strategies for peer support, community engagement, and self-advocacy.

I AM Session 5: Building Stronger Independent Living Communities
March 16 | 2:00–3:30 p.m.
Register here: https://buff.ly/aM6CkSG

Learn how to use your voice to influence policy, strengthen local disability services, and make a meaningful impact in your community. Participants will also have the opportunity to connect with Maryland Centers for Independent Living and access resources for ongoing support.

Together, we can build stronger, more connected Independent Living communities.

03/07/2026

03/06/2026

Gain hands-on experience driving innovation in the blindness field while contributing to the movement that raises expe

03/06/2026

March is Brain Injury Awareness Month and the registration for the Brain Injury Association of Maryland (BIAM) conference is open -

2026 BIAMD Annual Conference "Connecting Minds, Changing Outcomes"
April 9, 2026 – April 10, 2026
8:00 AM-5:00 PM
DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel Baltimore North - Pikesville
1726 Reisterstown Road
Pikesville, MD 21208

More info link https://web.cvent.com/event/e37f6084-7203-4754-a8e1-07bea8e263b4/summary

03/02/2026

DON'T FORGET TO REGISTER AND ATTEND THE LAUNCH WEDNESDAY! Dear Partners, Colleagues and Disability Community,
The landscape of Independent Living in Maryland is evolving, and we want you at the heart of this transformation.
On behalf of the Maryland Statewide Independent Living Council (SILC) and our network of Centers for Independent Living (CILs), we are thrilled to introduce a bold new initiative designed to amplify the voices of Marylanders with disabilities:
• The CUP Campaign. Launch Date: March 4th, 2026 @ 5pm. – Registration Link Below: o https://zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_7YrAR_HRTBuAgQSUG1xFIg

03/02/2026

Thank you Governor Wes Moore for proclaiming March as Developmental Disabilities Awareness Month (DDAM) in Maryland.

DDAM recognizes how people with developmental disabilities contribute to our state. Maryland is stronger when people with and without disabilities live, learn, work, and play together in our communities.

02/27/2026

✨ Independent Living Day in Annapolis ✨

Yesterday, we joined advocates from across Maryland at the House Office Building to advocate and protect Independent Living services. It was a powerful day centered on action, access, and opportunity for people with disabilities throughout our state.

During our legislative meetings, we brought forward the everyday obstacles individuals with disabilities face from unstable funding streams and limited housing options to transportation barriers and gaps in essential services. Meaningful change begins with honest conversations, unity, and lived experience.

We had the opportunity to engage with Mark S. Chang, John Brennan (Assistant Secretary of Operations, MDOD), and Rachel Fishman (Housing Program Administrator, MDOD). A huge thank you to the Maryland Statewide Independent Living Council for hosting lunch and creating space for connection. ❤️

Thankful to navigate this work alongside members of the IMAGE Center of Maryland team; Teara, Stephanie, Troy, Shana, Diane, and Shanara as we continue advocating for equity, access, and opportunity across Maryland.

02/27/2026

Do voices sound muffled to you over the phone? Our Captioned Telephone service may help! By displaying word-for-word captions of what the other person is saying, Captioned Telephone makes conversations easier to understand.

To use this service:
1️⃣ Get a Captioned Telephone from Maryland Relay
2️⃣ Dial the number of the person you wish to talk to
3️⃣ A Captioned Telephone Operator will generate captions of the responses
4️⃣ See the word-for-word conversation appear on the screen

To learn more about this service and how to obtain a Captioned Telephone, visit https://bit.ly/4jf6RTo

02/27/2026

Register today.

Your community is your power. Join the Maryland Independent Living community for a conversation led by Dave Drezner, Executive Director of The Freedom Center, focused on practical strategies for peer support, community engagement, and self-advocacy.

I AM Session 5: Building Stronger Independent Living Communities
March 16 | 2:00–3:30 p.m.
Register here: https://buff.ly/odon9NB

Learn how to use your voice to influence policy, strengthen local disability services, and make a meaningful impact in your community. Participants will also have the opportunity to connect with Maryland Centers for Independent Living and access resources for ongoing support.

Together, we can build stronger, more connected Independent Living communities.