Marylanders can help support children and adults with developmental disabilities this tax season

ANNAPOLIS, Md. - Feb. 19, 2015 - PRLog -- Marylanders can make a difference in the lives of children and adults with developmental disabilities using the Maryland Personal Income Tax return to make a donation to the Developmental Disabilities Services and Support Fund.  There are over 8,000 Marylanders with developmental disabilities on the Developmental Disabilities Administration  (DDA) Community Services Waiting List for services and support.  Tax contributions to the Developmental Services and Support Fund will help pay for services that support families to meet the needs of their children with developmental disabilities; job training and employment support for adults with developmental disabilities; support to live in the community and crisis intervention; and other services that support people with developmental disabilities in their homes and communities.

Thousands of children and adults with developmental disabilities such as autism, cerebral palsy and Down syndrome are on the waiting list for services from the Maryland Developmental Disabilities Administration.  In 2010, Governor O’Malley signed legislation that created the Maryland Waiting List Equity Fund  to support people with developmental disabilities and the Maryland Waiting List Tax Checkoff on Maryland Income Tax returns so that Maryland taxpayers can contribute money to fund services needed by children and adults with developmental disabilities.  In 2014, the Waiting List Equity Fund was renamed the Maryland Developmental Disabilities Services and Supports Fund.

Marylanders can contribute any amount and all donations are tax deductible.  One hundred percent of the funds are dedicated to the Developmental Disabilities Services & Support Fund.

For more information about the Developmental Disabilities Services and Support Fund, visit the Maryland Department of Disabilities at www.mdod.maryland.gov.

For more information about services provided by the Developmental Disabilities Administration, please visit www.dhmh.maryland.gov.

For tax information, please visit the Maryland Comptroller’s Office website at www.comp.state.md.us.

About The Arc Maryland:

The Arc Maryland is the state’s leading statewide advocacy organization dedicated to the quality of life and rights of children and adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities. The organization mission is dedicated to creating a world where children and adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities have and enjoy equal rights and opportunities. For more information, please visit our website at www.thearcmd.org.