Speaking Up and Creating Change
Columbia, Maryland - Maryland Partners in Policymaking Presentation on "Interscholastic & Intercollegiate Sports for Athletes with Disabilities"
Baltimore, MD - Presenting to John's Hopkins University Carey School of Business Employees, Staff and Professors about Accessibility Bridge Corporation.
Columbia, MD - Maryland Partners In Policymaking plaque
Baltimore, MD - Dee Sapp Presenting about Accessibility Bridge Corporation at Johns Hopkins University Carey School of Business.
On 3/5/2024, I testified in Annapolis before the Senate Judicial Proceedings Committee at their hearing for Senate Bill 1096 ( Vehicle Laws - Licenses, Identification Cards, and Moped Operator's Permits - Identification of Nonapparent Disability).
Media
Judicial Proceedings Committee Hearing
Judicial Proceedings Committee Hearing
On 3/5/2024, I testified in Annapolis before the Senate Judicial Proceedings Committee at their hearing for Senate Bill 1096 ( Vehicle Laws - Licenses, Identification Cards, and Moped Operator's Permits - Identification of Nonapparent Disability).
This bill requires that an application for a license, an identification card, or a moped operator's permit allow an applicant to indicate the applicant's nonapparent disability; and requiring the Motor Vehicle Administration to ensure that the license, identification card, or moped operator's permit of an applicant who indicates that the applicant has a nonapparent disability includes an "ND" notation.
2024 Maryland Legislative session is open
2024 Maryland Legislative session is open
The 2024 Maryland legislative session started on Wednesday, January 10, 2024. As the Chair for the Maryland Developmental Disabilities Council, I speak (in Plain Language) about what it means when we announce that a Legislative Session is open as well as how you can be an advocate.
What Do You Want People to Know About Autism with Dee Sapp
In this SonRise Project podcast episode, I share an honest and insightful perspective on autism, advocacy, and the realities families often navigate behind closed doors. Drawing from both personal and professional experience I discuss the importance of understanding autism beyond stereotypes, creating more inclusive communities, and supporting individuals and families with empathy, dignity, and authenticity. The conversation highlights the power of awareness, meaningful dialogue, and meeting people where they are.
Autism Acceptance: A Mother's Perspective with Dee Sapp
Are you the parent, caregiver, friend or community member of someone with Autism? What does Autism awareness and acceptance look like to you?
In this SonRise Project podcast episode, I had an open and honest conversation on how to understand your autistic community members and how to shift from autism awareness to autism acceptance.
Parent & Child Heart to Heart with Dee and Lawrence Sapp
As part of Disability Awareness Month, I shared my journey navigating my son's disability, challenges faced, moments of joy and growth, and the importance of embracing your child's uniqueness. My son joins me on this SonRise Project episode.
Media Articles
An autistic man kept failing Maryland’s driver’s test. Officials changed it.
The Washington Post published an article on a change to the Driver's Manual due to the work that my son and I did to advocate for a more equitable and accommodating test for community members with cognitive impairments. The changes introduce plainer language to make testing more accessible to everyone
Maryland MVA changes learner's permit test to make more equitable for aspiring drivers
News spot on WJZ-TV (CBS-Balt.) highlighting the Maryland MVA changes to the learner's permit test to make more it equitable for aspiring drivers to include those with developmental disabilites. I am interviewed about the role I played in these changes being made.
Maryland simplifies language of learner's permit test -
NBC 4 WASHINGTON highlighting how Maryland’s Motor Vehicle Administration determined that some questions asked on the learner’s permit test may have been too complicated. I am interviewed about the role I played in these changes being made.