There are several resources available to assist individuals with disabilities in your community.
Services and information are helpful for individuals to participate fully and assume their rightful place in society. Some of the local community resources available to you are:
The state and national resources listed below contain information to aid those with disabilities seeking housing.
Maryland Resources
Department of Housing and Community Development: Homeownership for Individuals with Disabilities Program
This resource provides information about the Homeownership for Individuals with Disabilities Program which is available statewide and offered through the Maryland Department of Housing and Community Development (DHCD).
Home Modifications Directory
The Home Modifications Directory is a guide that provides useful information on home modification resources throughout the State of Maryland including: Equipment Supplies, Funding Sources and Loan Programs, Home Assessment/Equipment Evaluations, Information and Referral, Licensed Home Improvement Contractors, and Volunteer Organizations.
Housing Rights for People with Disabilities
The Maryland Department of Disabilities provides important resources regarding fair housing in the state.
Maryland Housing and Disability Services Resource Guide (2011)
This guide offers general information about organizations that provide services and/or housing resources to people with disabilities. Please call specific agencies to verify updated information.
Maryland Housing Search
The Maryland Department of Housing and Community Development provides a free online service for locating available rental housing that best fits individual and family needs.
National Resources
Affordable Housing Online
Search affordable apartments using this housing online database. Find information about your state’s Section 8 and Public Housing waitlists as well as most frequently asked questions related to public housing.
Housing Choice Vouchers
The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development provides answers to frequently asked questions regarding Housing Choice Vouchers. The Housing Choice Voucher Program is the federal government's major program for assisting very low-income families, the elderly, and the individuals with disabilities to afford decent, safe, and sanitary housing in the private market.
Housing Discrimination Complaint
The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development provides an online form for filing a housing discrimination complaint.
Planning for Yourself: Renting a Home of Your Own
This guide is helpful for those who are renting a home of their own for the first time. It includes a checklist of things to accomplish and keep in mind throughout the renting process.
Resources providing safety tips and information about transportation services available for those with disabilities are listed below.
Maryland Kids In Safety Seats (KISS)
Maryland Kids in Safety Seats (KISS) provides legal and safety information regarding the correct use of car seats and booster seats for children.
Maryland Transit Administration (MTA) Complaints
Did you have a problem using any Maryland Transit Administration (MTA) services? Provide feedback here.
MTA Mobility/Paratransit Program
The Mobility/Paratransit service is for citizens who because of disability are unable to use local bus, metro/subway, or light rail service in Maryland.
MetroAccess
MetroAccess is a shared-ride, door-to-door, paratransit service for people whose disability prevents them from using the bus or light rail. MetroAccess services the District of Columbia, the suburban Maryland counties of Montgomery and Prince George's, the Northern Virginia counties of Arlington and Fairfax, and the cities of Alexandria, Fairfax and Falls Church.
Regional Transit Information
This resource provides various statewide transportation services for individuals with disabilities.
U.S. Department of Transportation
This resource provides contacts to the Department of Transportation for any questions or comments involving the rights of air travelers with disabilities, disability-related issues, and complaints.
Miracle Flights for Kids
Miracle Flights helps families overcome financial obstacles by flying their seriously ill children to receive proper medical care and to get second opinions.
Utilize the links below to learn more about the variety of camps, recreational groups, organizations, and activities available for those with disabilities. These links will also help you plan your next vacation.
Recreational Groups & Organizations
The organizations and groups listed below provide a variety of activities that your child can enjoy participating in while also developing life skills.
ArtStream
ArtStream offers performing arts opportunities for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities, including autism. Students improve communication and social skills and develop friendships. Newly discovered talents and capabilities improve self-esteem, poise, and confidence that extend into their daily lives.
Athletes Serving Athletes
Athletes Serving Athletes’ training programs use athletic activity to improve physical fitness and increase self-esteem and life skills development for individuals living with disabilities. Athletes Serving Athletes is open to anyone regardless of their physical abilities. See website calendar to find an activity in your area.
Baltimore Area Special Hockey, Inc.
Baltimore Area Special Hockey, Inc. offers an ice hockey program for children and adults with a traumatic brain injury and other disabilities such as Autism and Down syndrome.
Baltimore Downtown Sailing Center
The program offers inclusive sailing opportunities for those with disabilities and promotes life skills such as self-reliance, self-confidence, teamwork, patience, and respect for others.
Best Buddies
Best Buddies aims to establish a global volunteer movement that creates opportunities for one-to-one friendships, integrated employment, and leadership development for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities.
Boy Scouts of America
Boy Scouts of America is one of the nation's largest and most prominent values-based youth development organizations. To find a Boy Scout unit in your area, select “Get Started,” select the program, enter your zip code, and select unit.
Disabled Sport USA
Disabled Sports USA is dedicated to providing adaptive sports and opportunities for individuals with disabilities to develop independence, confidence, and fitness. To find a Disabled Sports USA chapter near you, select “Chapters.”
Girl Scouts
Girl Scouting builds girls of courage, confidence, and character, who make the world a better place. Select “Find a Council” at the top of the page and select your state to find a troop/group near you.
KEEN (Kids Enjoy Exercise Now) Sports Program
KEEN (Kids Enjoy Exercise Now) provides one-to-one recreational opportunities for children and young adults with intellectual and physical disabilities at no cost to their families and caregivers. KEEN Greater DC now operates 26 programs throughout the national capital area, in DC, Maryland and Northern Virginia. To enroll your child in any KEEN program, register early as classes fill quickly.
National Alliance for Accessible Golf
The National Alliance for Accessible Golf (Alliance) is an organization working to ensure the opportunity for all individuals with disabilities to play the game of golf. The Mission of the Alliance is to increase the participation of people with disabilities in the game of golf.
Physically Challenged Sports and Recreation Program at Kennedy Krieger Institute
Kennedy Krieger’s Physically Challenged Sports Program provides therapeutic sports and recreational programs for children, ages 2 to 21, with varying degrees of physical abilities. The programs aims for participants to: practice and develop skills independently, use learned skills during leisure time, grow socially/emotionally and practice problem solving. Programs are tailored to the unique needs of each child and family.
Rebounders “I Can Do It Too” Special Needs Program
Rebounders’ Special Needs Program is a sensory/motor/gymnastics program for children of all ages with any minimal to severe physical, intellectual, emotional, social language, and/or sensory challenges including but not limited to developmental delay, attention deficit, and autism. They offer one-on-one classes, small groups, and field trips, at their location in Timonium, Maryland.
Special Olympics Maryland
The Special Olympics provides year-round sports training and athletic competition in a variety of Olympic-type sports for individuals eight (8) years of age and older with intellectual disabilities, giving them continuing opportunities to develop physical fitness, demonstrate courage, and experience joy. To find a Special Olympics program in your area, select “Locate Local Programs” at the top of the page.
Therapeutic Alternatives of Maryland (TALMAR) Gardens and Horticultural Therapy Center
Therapeutic Alternatives of Maryland (TALMAR) provides an innovative, therapeutic and recreational environment designed particularly for individuals with disabilities or chronic conditions that impact their health and well-being.
Wish-A-Fish Foundation
The Wish-A-Fish Foundation hosts fishing events in Maryland and Virginia for special needs children and their families.
Young Life Capernaum
Young Life Capernaum club is a place for teens with disabilities, ages 14-21, to experience fun, laughter and meaningful conversations about life. Capernaum Clubs are free events, and you do not need to pre-register your child. You can also find information on the Capernaum Summer Camp on this page.
Maryland County Departments & Parks & Recreation
This website provides a list of every county’s Department of Parks and Recreation. Some counties provide specific Therapeutic or Adaptive Recreation programs. Explore what your county has to offer. Call directly for more information.
Camps
The resources below will help you find a camp or program that best matches your child's interests.
American Camp Association
The American Camp Association (ACA) offers a national searchable database useful for finding appropriate camps according to individual preferences.
Baltimore’s Child
Baltimore’s Child provides a directory of camps and year-round recreational and summer programs in the Baltimore metropolitan area. Select “Directories” from the home page banner.
The League for People with Disabilities, Inc.: Camping & Therapeutic Recreation
The League’s year-round Camping & Therapeutic Recreation program provides joyful, life-changing experiences in a safe environment and builds meaningful relationships in the lives of youth and adults. Programs include summer camp, year-round camping, assisted travel and community recreation.
Additional Resources
The list of resources below can help you discover local activities in your community, plan vacations, and just get out and enjoy.
The Jewish Community Center of Greater Washington
The Jewish Community Center of Greater Washington provides recreational activities to everyone, including people of all backgrounds, religions, abilities and sexual orientations, and interfaith couples and families. Inclusion permeates the Center.
The Institute of Well-Being at Towson University
The Institute of Well-Being at Towson University includes The Hussman Center for Adults with Autism, therapy programs, and a Wellness Center. The Hussman Center for Adults with Autism offers programs such as fun social activities, art classes, comedy workshops, cooking classes, music, creative movement experiences, and specialized training in language skills, personal fitness and entry-level job skills.
Outdoor Activities in Maryland
The Department of Natural Resources provides a list of outdoor activities in the state of Maryland.
Professional Association of Therapeutic Horsemanship International (PATH)
Professional Association of Therapeutic Horsemanship International (PATH) is a nonprofit organization that promotes equine-assisted activities and therapies for individuals with special needs. Find a therapeutic horseback riding center in your area.
For a list of the county health departments in the state of Maryland please visit this website -
Various respite services and programs are available within your community for people with disabilities.
Autism Speaks
Find respite care services in Maryland for a child with autism.
Caring Communities
Caring Communities offers disability-related training, education, publications, and events for the benefit of children and adults with disabilities, their families and caregivers, as well as healthcare and education professionals. Caring Communities provides a Respite Care Registry (http://www.caringcommunities.org/registry/signin.php?mypage=registryindex) for the Baltimore/Washington Area.
Montgomery County Respite Care
Find respite care for a frail, elderly individual, a child or adult with a disability, or a child with severe behavioral needs, in Montgomery County.
National Respite Locator
Select your state to find respite programs near you.
Pathfinders for Autism
Pathfinders for Autism provides a search tool for users to find providers and services in several categories based on location.
Paws and Relax: Animal-Assisted Interventions Resource Guide
This November 2020 guide answers frequently asked questions about emotional support animals, guide animals and therapy animals.