Gov. Wes Moore (D-MD) held a press briefing on Tuesday to celebrate the Americans with Disability Act and sign an executive order creating a new Maryland Plain Language Initiative.
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NewsTranscript
00:08Good afternoon.
00:12You all are so beautiful.
00:13And what a great, great day.
00:15What a great day it is for the state.
00:18Welcome to the People's House.
00:20And thank you for joining us to celebrate
00:23the 34th anniversary of the Americans
00:27with Disabilities Act.
00:35So I want to start by saying we could not
00:39be in a more appropriate place than here
00:44to be able to celebrate this absolutely monumental act that
00:48fundamentally made us better as a state
00:51and fundamentally made us better as a country.
00:54Because the Maryland Statehouse was once
00:58the capital of the United States of America.
01:02I don't know if you all knew that.
01:03It's a true story.
01:04In fact, this is the only state capital
01:07that used to be a US capital as well.
01:10And the capital, when this was the capital of the United
01:14States, there's also a couple of things
01:16to remember about where Maryland was at that moment.
01:21Because yes, this was the capital of the United States
01:24of America.
01:26It was also the capital at a time when women couldn't vote.
01:33It was also the capital at a time when African-Americans
01:38were enslaved.
01:40It was also our capital at a time
01:43when people with disabilities were forced
01:47into the margins of society, forced
01:51to hide for something that they couldn't control,
01:56forced to hide for something that they should never
01:59be ashamed of.
02:02That's when this was the US capital.
02:07But today, we're back here in this historic town,
02:14in this historic building.
02:16People of different backgrounds, people of different genders,
02:19people of different ethnicities, people of different abilities
02:23and histories.
02:25In our collective presence here today,
02:29every single beautiful one of you,
02:32it proves that while progress is not preordained
02:38and progress is not inevitable, progress
02:42in this state, in this country, is absolutely possible.
02:48The anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act
02:59isn't just an acknowledgment of a piece of legislation.
03:02This is about a celebration of legacy.
03:06This is about a celebration of the work.
03:10This is about how people had to put in time and energy
03:15and effort and will to be able to bend that moral arc
03:19towards justice.
03:22Because it does not bend just because.
03:25It bends because each and every one of us,
03:29each and every one of you, have chosen to pull it that way.
03:35This is a legacy of making sure that everyone can
03:38feel safe in their own skin.
03:40This is a legacy to make sure that everybody
03:42knows that each and every one of us
03:46are blessed children of God, that we
03:49are perfect in our creation, that we are perfect as we are,
03:56that we are his intent, and that each and every one of us
04:00should be celebrated for who we are,
04:03that each and every one of us make up an important part
04:07of that human mosaic that makes us so special.
04:12A legacy of humanity that we see in ourselves,
04:16that as a society and as a state,
04:18that we will always be mission first and people always.
04:22And in this moment, we'll continue
04:23to build upon the legacy of those who came before us
04:28by now making it a point to build a legacy of our own.
04:34So today, I am so proud that I will sign an executive order
04:41creating a new Maryland Plain Language Initiative.
04:45And this executive order is based on a simple idea.
04:59And the simple idea is this.
05:01It should not be so difficult for Marylanders
05:05to access the programs and services that they need
05:09and the programs and services that they deserve.
05:14Now, I'm not just talking about Marylanders with disabilities.
05:19I'm talking about all Marylanders.
05:22I'm talking about making sure that we
05:24can have a society that sees all of us
05:29and a society that's built for all of us.
05:34If a single mom in our state cannot access
05:38affordable health care because the instructions
05:41on the application are too confusing,
05:46that's not good government.
05:49If a Maryland family cannot understand updates
05:53about a hurricane in their community
05:56because our website is hard to read,
05:59that's not good government.
06:02This executive order will help to ensure
06:05that every piece of writing that comes out
06:09of this administration in print and online
06:13is simple, accessible, proofridden, and easy to read.
06:24This is not just going to help some Marylanders.
06:27This is going to help us all.
06:31And it's also going to help us all to fulfill a promise,
06:36a simple promise, to leave no one behind.
06:42That's what this means.
06:45That's what this looks like.
06:47I don't know a single person who likes political jargon.
06:53I don't.
06:55Never learned it.
06:56Don't intend to.
06:57I don't know a single person that
07:02likes confusing instructions or convoluted writing.
07:07It's not just frustrating.
07:10It's harmful.
07:13It's segregating.
07:16And oftentimes, and unfortunately, it's
07:19intentional.
07:21Because for Marylanders with disabilities,
07:23tricky language can be the difference
07:27between getting the help that you need
07:30and getting left behind.
07:33It doesn't have to be that way, guys.
07:36And today, we will take an important step forward
07:40as a state to make sure that it isn't, and in Maryland,
07:45it never will be.
07:55So one of the things, and one of the themes
07:57that people probably start noticing
07:58about the Moore Miller administration
08:00is we do everything together.
08:05We work together.
08:06Celebrate together.
08:09We make progress together.
08:10And everything becomes an all of government
08:14and all of society approach.
08:16And I want to be very clear that we could not be here
08:20if it were not for every single member of this administration
08:24and every single member of this team.
08:27I especially want to give a shout out
08:29and highlight our fantastic Lieutenant Governor,
08:31Aruna Miller.
08:32Our fantastic Secretary of Disabilities, Carol Beatty.
08:41Our fantastic Secretary of Information Technology,
08:50Katie Savage.
08:57Our fantastic Executive Director
08:58of the Maryland Developmental Disabilities Council,
09:01my friend, Rachel Lundin.
09:07And the Chair of the Maryland Developmental Disabilities
09:11Council, Dee Satt.
09:19Who also, by the way, I hope I'm not about to embarrass you,
09:25is a proud mama of a future Olympian who, in a few weeks,
09:32will be representing our country over in Paris.
09:35Mama, we are so excited.
09:37And we are going to be cheering.
09:38Y'all will be able to hear us from all the way over there.
09:40Woo!
09:41Woo!
09:41Woo!
09:42Woo!
09:42Woo!
09:43Woo!
09:43Woo!
09:44Woo!
09:44Woo!
09:45Woo!
09:45Woo!
09:46Woo!
09:46Woo!
09:47Woo!
09:47Woo!
09:48Woo!
09:48Woo!
09:49Woo!
09:49Woo!
09:50Woo!
09:50Woo!
09:51Woo!
09:51Woo!
09:52Woo!
09:52Woo!
09:53Woo!
09:53Woo!
09:54Woo!
09:54We are going to be champions.
09:56Everybody who may today happen.
09:58Because change does not just happen.
10:00It is made to happen.
10:03And there are so many people here
10:04who have their fingerprints all over this change.
10:08And we've been working on this for years.
10:12People like Megan Jones.
10:15Megan, our beautiful friend over there, was born perfect.
10:21She was born perfect.
10:24Megan came up with a developmental disability.
10:29And she lives by the motto, nothing about us without us.
10:36Because she does not just want to point out
10:39society's challenges.
10:42She wants to solve society's challenges.
10:46This year, Megan wanted to testify on a bill
10:51to remove outdated and hurtful language
10:55in state legislatures.
10:58And she did it.
11:01And now, as most people in this room know,
11:05understanding instructions on how to testify,
11:09when to testify, where to testify,
11:12what rules need to be followed is very challenging.
11:15Trust me, if I did not have a remarkable team,
11:17I'd still be searching around for which committee rooms
11:19I'm supposed to be testifying in.
11:21So I can tell you right now, you are a champ.
11:24That you were able to navigate that.
11:27And you're a champ for wanting to focus on making sure
11:30that it's a little bit easier for everybody else, too.
11:33So Megan studied the Plain Language Testimony Guide
11:38that was created by the Developmental Disabilities
11:41Council and the Department of Justice.
11:45And she was able to navigate that.
11:48And she was recruited by the Developmental Disabilities
11:51Council in order to help her prepare.
11:55She came to Annapolis.
11:57She shared her views with the lawmakers on House Bill 432.
12:04And just a few weeks ago, I had the honor
12:08of signing that piece of legislation into law.
12:22Megan, you are a superstar.
12:25And you are someone who, when the story of this state
12:31is written, your name will be in lights.
12:44You understood and you recognize the fact
12:46that this work is not easy.
12:47This work actually is hard.
12:50It's not simple making change.
12:52It can feel very lonely.
12:55Sometimes it can feel very uncomfortable.
12:58But it's worth it.
13:01For you and so many others out here who may today happen,
13:08you are so necessary.
13:10You are so important.
13:12You're so loved.
13:15And we as a state, we're all so grateful.
13:19Because I speak on behalf of almost 6 and 1
13:23half million people when I say, thank you for making sure
13:27that we leave no one behind.
13:30And so in honor of this moment and in honor of this action,
13:35I would like to present a proclamation
13:39to Secretary Beatty and the Department of Disabilities
13:42marking the 34th anniversary of the enactment of the Americans
13:46with Disabilities Act.
13:48And I'd like to do so with a deep sense of appreciation
13:51to you and your team, Secretary Savage and your team,
13:56to everybody in this room for all
13:59that you do to make us better.
14:03If the Lieutenant Governor will please join me
14:05and also Secretary Savage and Secretary Beatty as well.
14:14So from the Governor of the state of Maryland,
14:19July 26, 2024, from here on out,
14:23will be known as ADA Anniversary Day.
14:27Whereas on July 26, 1990, the Americans with Disabilities Act
14:31was signed into law.
14:33And whereas the Americans with Disabilities Act
14:36was landmark legislation to protect
14:38the civil rights of individuals with disabilities
14:41and ensure the same basic freedoms, independence,
14:46equal access, freedom of choice, and inclusion
14:51are guaranteed for those with disabilities
14:54as to every other citizen.
14:56Whereas Maryland recognizes the unlimited potential
15:00for all of our citizens, including those with disabilities
15:05to live, work, and thrive in communities.
15:08And whereas the 34th anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act
15:11is an opportunity to recognize the importance
15:15of ensuring inclusive environments
15:18with equal access to communication and education
15:22and employment and housing and transportation
15:25and public accommodation.
15:27And whereas Maryland promotes equality of opportunity,
15:32access, and choice for Marylanders with disabilities
15:35and is committed to the promise of a Maryland
15:39in which all people with disabilities
15:42have the knowledge and influence
15:44to make a difference in their lives
15:47and to make a difference in the lives of others.
15:52Signed, Secretary of State Susan Lee,
15:57Lieutenant Governor Aruna Miller,
16:01and the 63rd Governor, Wes Moore.
16:04Congratulations.
16:37So good afternoon, everyone.
16:40I just want to thank everybody that's here,
16:43including all the advocates,
16:45members of the Moore-Miller administration,
16:48and to our remarkable ASL providers.
16:51Now, I wanted to follow up a little bit
16:53about what the governor said, right?
16:55He shared a little history about the state capitol,
16:58that it was once the U.S. capitol.
17:01Well, Governor Aruna Miller,
17:03he said it was once the U.S. capitol.
17:06Well, Governor, I learned something a little bit recently.
17:10Look, the governor and I get to travel all across the state,
17:14and we meet all sorts of incredible people.
17:17And what I learned most recently is in Hartford County,
17:21did you know that Haverdy-Grace
17:24was going to be the capitol of the United States?
17:29It was going to be lost by one vote in Congress.
17:34And so I said to the mayor, I said,
17:36Mayor, you need to have a motto that says,
17:39Every Vote Counts.
17:42I don't know if he appreciated my humor,
17:45but there's a factoid as well
17:47regarding the great state of Maryland.
17:50So on July 26, 1990,
17:53Congress passed the American with Disabilities Act,
17:56one of the most significant pieces
17:59of civil rights legislation.
18:02This landmark law prohibits discrimination
18:06against people with disability in various aspects of life,
18:11including employment, public accommodations,
18:15access to government programs, and transportation.
18:20As a transportation engineer,
18:23I dedicated a significant portion of my career
18:26to enhance accessible transportation for Marylanders.
18:31This included installing wheelchair and access ramps,
18:36ensuring sidewalks were wide enough
18:39for safe passage of wheelchairs,
18:42and designing traffic signals to accommodate people
18:46with visual or hearing impairments.
18:50But we know that the road to progress
18:53is always under construction.
18:56And I'm proud to stand alongside Governor Moore
19:00and the Moore-Miller administration
19:02and to each and every one of you
19:05who's making more progress
19:07with the signing of the Maryland Plain Language
19:10Initiative Executive Order,
19:12which ensures that Marylanders of different abilities
19:15and all of us can accommodate the state government
19:19that we all so deserve.
19:22We should all take pride in knowing
19:25that for millions of younger Marylanders,
19:28a world without ADA is simply unimaginable.
19:33We will continue to build and move our state forward,
19:37ensuring that accessibility and equality
19:41are the expectations rather than the exceptions.
19:46So today and the future is about making sure
19:50that all Marylanders, regardless of ability,
19:53can and shall fully participate in every aspect of life
19:59with dignity and respect.
20:02And Megan, I want to thank you for what you did.
20:05At some point, if you can give the governor and me
20:08the cliff notes on how to, you know, testify for bills,
20:11that would be greatly appreciated, okay?
20:14But again, thank you for your advocacy and what you did
20:17and exactly what the governor said.
20:19You not only found this to be a challenge,
20:22you came up with a solution, and you made it easier for others.
20:26And in the end, that's what we're all here for,
20:29you know, in this world,
20:31to make life a better place for all of us.
20:33So thank you, Megan, and thank you to every one of you
20:36on what you do.
20:38And now...
20:39Sorry.
20:40And now it's my great pleasure
20:43to bring up to the podium a great leader
20:46who's been fighting and been a champion
20:48for those with disabilities, Secretary Carol Bee.
21:02Well, good afternoon, everybody,
21:03and thank you so much for being here.
21:05And thank you, Governor Moore and Lieutenant Governor Miller,
21:08for your always very inspiring words.
21:10Maryland is a state,
21:12and ours is an administration
21:14that believes in ensuring the inclusion of all Marylanders,
21:18including those with disabilities,
21:20in all that our state and our communities offer.
21:23And so thank you, Governor Moore,
21:25for your commitment to leaving no one behind.
21:28I'm really grateful that Governor Moore
21:31gave me the opportunity to continue to serve
21:34as the secretary for the Maryland Department of Disabilities,
21:38the only cabinet-level department
21:40focused on cross-disability issues in the nation.
21:44Our mission is to ensure opportunity, access, and choice
21:48for all Marylanders with disabilities.
21:51I have the pleasure of leading and working alongside
21:55a small but incredibly talented and dedicated staff.
22:00I really consider them part of the team.
22:03They are the team.
22:05Part of our statute that created
22:07the Maryland Department of Disabilities
22:09requires that the secretary or the deputy secretary
22:12have a disability, and as we all know,
22:15that's really important because representation matters.
22:18I'm very excited to have our new deputy secretary,
22:22Anne Blackfield, start at the end of this month.
22:25Both Anne and I have lived experience,
22:28but I also want to say that many of our staff at the department
22:32have disabilities or are close family members
22:35with somebody with a disability.
22:38So this work is really our passion, and it's very personal.
22:42Last week, the CDC released the annual update
22:46of the Disability and Health Data Systems Report,
22:49and it shows that 1 in 4 Americans lives with a disability.
22:55That's approximately 70 million Americans,
22:59and that's approximately 1.5 million Marylanders.
23:03It's often said that disability is the only minority group
23:07that anyone can join at any moment,
23:10be it at birth or by illness, accident, or aging.
23:14Disability issues are everyone's issues.
23:17Thanks to the Americans with Disabilities Act,
23:20commonly known as the ADA,
23:22we have accessible parking spaces, automatic door openers,
23:26and curb cuts for sidewalks most of the time.
23:30These kinds of accessibility features help all of us.
23:33As we celebrate the 34th anniversary of the signing of the ADA,
23:37it is critical that we look back
23:39and that we take stock of all that we have accomplished
23:42in those last 34 years,
23:44but we also must push forward
23:46to make sure that we continue to provide access for all.
23:49I would like to take this moment
23:51to thank my fellow cabinet secretaries who are here
23:54and their staff that have joined us.
23:57I believe that this shows the Moore-Miller administration's dedication
24:00to honoring the rights and the contributions
24:03of Marylanders with disabilities.
24:05In January of this year,
24:07Governor Moore issued Maryland's first ever
24:10digital accessibility policy,
24:12which is being led by the Department of Information Technology,
24:15which ensures access to state-procured
24:18and developed information technology and services.
24:22Thank you, Governor, for your leadership in this area
24:25and your commitment to being a government
24:27that is responsive to the disability community.
24:36MDOD's IT accessibility team works with DO-IT
24:40to test and remediate and retest the state's websites,
24:44publications, and apps
24:46to ensure compatibility with screen readers
24:49and other devices used by people with disabilities.
24:52I'd like to thank DO-IT's Secretary, Katie Savage,
24:55for her leadership and continued commitment to IT accessibility.
24:59She is a visionary leader,
25:02and she's led successful IT teams
25:05in the state and the federal and the local and the nonprofit sectors,
25:09and she became a technologist as a means to serve her community.
25:14So please help me welcome to the podium Secretary Savage.
25:27Good afternoon, everyone.
25:29I just want to start, you know,
25:31thank you, Secretary Beatty, for the kind remarks,
25:33and really I'm so honored to be here with you all today.
25:36This is why I got into technology.
25:38Technology is a means to an end.
25:41We're here to enable all of your goals.
25:43So this is just an extremely proud moment for me,
25:46and I also just appreciate we've had such a collaborative relationship
25:49since we've started on the accessibility policy,
25:52and now today with the plain language EO.
25:54So just really appreciate the partnership.
25:57I want to start by just talking about the scale of the problem here.
26:01There are hundreds of Maryland websites
26:03that provide information, services,
26:06and benefits to over 6 million residents,
26:08and unfortunately the current digital experience
26:11provides varying levels of accessibility
26:14and use language that can be confusing
26:16and filled with jargon, regardless of ability.
26:19Technical or expert-level language
26:22can make it difficult for many residents
26:24to find and access critical information
26:27and services that they need to live safely,
26:29productively, and efficiently.
26:31In addition to the impact this language has on our residents,
26:35it also really challenges the state workforce.
26:38What do you do when you can't find something online?
26:41You pick up the phone,
26:43which can lead to very high call volumes, for example,
26:47in-person visits, and it really puts a burden
26:50on an already burdened state workforce.
26:53We know that many of our residents will be left behind,
26:56as the governor said, if they don't understand
26:58what services are being offered or how to access them.
27:02In January, the governor established the Maryland Digital Service
27:05within the Department of Technology, of Information Technology,
27:09which is being led by my colleague Marcy Jacobs,
27:12who joined our department as the state's first
27:14Chief Digital Experience Officer.
27:16Maryland Digital Service is going to be partnering with agencies
27:20to create consistent and intuitive
27:22digital experiences for all Marylanders.
27:24If you need a guide to access the application or a website,
27:27we didn't do it correctly.
27:29This executive order today will serve as the cornerstone
27:33for clear, understandable websites
27:35and communication throughout the state.
27:37It will ensure that millions of Marylanders
27:39can more easily take advantage of everything the state has to offer.
27:43Through the plain language executive order
27:45and our partnerships with the Departments of Disabilities
27:48and the Governor's Office of Community Initiatives,
27:50we will remove barriers and bring equity to our residents.
27:54To the Department of Disabilities
27:55and the Governor's Office of Community Initiatives,
27:57we at DO-IT thank you for your partnership.
28:01We look forward and thank you for your tireless dedication
28:04to your work and for everything you've done
28:06to make the state more inclusive and accessible.
28:09We look forward to working alongside of you
28:11and leveraging your experience, expertise, and passion
28:14to successfully implement this executive order.
28:17Together, we will ensure that state services are equitable
28:20and that nobody will be left behind.
28:23I'd now like to introduce my colleague, Rachel London,
28:26the Executive Director of the Maryland Developmental Disabilities Council,
28:30which is a statewide public policy and advocacy organization
28:33that creates changes that enable people with developmental disabilities
28:37to live the lives they want with the support they need.
28:40Applause
28:48Good afternoon and greetings
28:50from the entire Maryland Developmental Disabilities Council.
28:54For those of you that don't know,
28:55the council itself is led by people with developmental disabilities
28:59and their families.
29:02I am thrilled to be here today.
29:05Thank you, Governor Moore, for bringing us together.
29:08This is a big day for Marylanders.
29:11Today, Governor Moore is taking more action
29:14to fulfill the promise he made to all of us when he ran for office,
29:19to leave no Marylander behind.
29:22With this executive order, he is showing his commitment
29:25to make Maryland's government more accessible
29:28and inclusive for all of us.
29:30Governor Moore, thank you.
29:32We appreciate your commitment, your leadership,
29:35and we are here with you.
29:37Speaking of leadership, I want to thank my small but mighty staff
29:41and members of the council's executive committee for being here today.
29:46Applause
29:52It was not too long ago that when we talked about access to government,
29:56we only meant access to buildings.
29:59This month, we celebrate the anniversary of the ADA
30:03and all the ways that law has moved us forward,
30:07giving access to places in and out of government
30:11people didn't have access to before.
30:13Today, Maryland is moving forward even more.
30:17This executive order shows Maryland prioritizes access to our government,
30:22not just to the buildings, but to the services, supports,
30:27and resources state agencies offer,
30:30and not just for people with disabilities, but for everyone.
30:35Plain language does increase access.
30:39Plain language is a way of writing so people can understand information
30:44the first time they read it.
30:47When state agencies use plain language in their public documents
30:51and on their websites, more people can access the information they need
30:56and the information they want.
30:59The creation of the Maryland Plain Language Plan
31:02will help state agencies take the steps necessary to make sure that happens,
31:07the steps needed to make sure Marylanders,
31:10those with and without disabilities, can access the information they need and want.
31:16The council has seen this in action.
31:18Three years ago, the council made a commitment to use plain language
31:22to better support our council members
31:25and the people with disabilities, families, grantees,
31:29and other people we work with.
31:32Not only did we relaunch our website, our five-year state plan,
31:37and even our bylaws in plain language,
31:40we worked with different state agencies too.
31:44We partnered with the Developmental Disabilities Administration
31:47to translate their guide to services into plain language.
31:51We worked with the Maryland General Assembly
31:53to create plain language versions of their legislative guidelines.
31:57The result? You've heard it.
32:00Clearer information about services and supports
32:02and more access and opportunity for more Marylanders
32:06to be part of the legislative process.
32:09We also collaborated with the Motor Vehicle Administration.
32:12The MVA's Driver's Manual and Learner's Permit tests are now in plain language,
32:18making it easier for all new drivers to understand the rules of the road.
32:23Writing in plain language also makes information easier
32:27to translate into other languages.
32:30This is what we mean when we say that plain language benefits everyone.
32:35In fact, after a manual and test were written in plain language,
32:39the MVA translated them into nine additional languages,
32:44including American Sign Language.
32:47Council Chair DeSapp will go into a little more detail about this in a minute,
32:51but we are proud to say that since the plain language tests were rolled out late last year,
32:57the MVA has seen a 15% increase in people passing the test.
33:04What a huge impact.
33:13So many more people can now access the freedoms that a driver's license brings.
33:18Employment, education, things to do for fun, and so much more.
33:24Plain language really does help create access for all.
33:28Today, Maryland has declared the importance of accessible, inclusive government.
33:33We are signaling to communities across Maryland and all across the country
33:38that accessible, inclusive government and communities should not be optional.
33:44We are so thankful to Governor Moore and his administration for the work you have already done.
33:50And for today, as you recognize the impact of plain language and sign this executive order,
33:56we are committed to our continued work together to make a more inclusive Maryland
34:02where people with and without disabilities live, learn, work, and play together.
34:09Now, I am very happy to introduce DeSapp, our Council Chair, the mom of Lauren Sapp,
34:16soon to be two-time Paralympian with developmental disabilities.
34:21She is an incredible advocate whose passion leads to change,
34:25not just for her son, but for all Marylanders with disabilities.
34:30Hi. Good afternoon, everyone.
34:41One thing that we left off, Megan is actually my Vice Chair for the Maryland Developmental Disabilities Council.
34:49So she really digs into this work.
34:55So Rachel gets it from both sides, just so you know.
34:59When my son Lawrence was in the 11th grade, he wanted to get his driver's license.
35:04I asked that it be added to his IEP as a goal so that he could begin developing the skills needed
35:09to successfully complete the license requirements.
35:12He graduated from high school in the spring of 2020 when COVID was new to us
35:17and the world was open to doing things differently.
35:21Virtual learning afforded him the opportunity to attend a driver's education program
35:27with an instructor willing to read the test to him in plain language.
35:32He passed the written portion of that class the first time with a B average.
35:38For him to take the driving portion of the class, he needed to have his driver's permit.
35:43We went to our local MVA several times where my son had no success in passing the test.
35:49We switched to another MVA location 45 minutes from our home.
35:54And after months of going back forth weekly, he was still unable to pass the test,
35:59even with supportive MVA staff.
36:02People kept asking me how he was able to pass the driver's education test and not pass the permit test.
36:09If the content for both tests came from the same book.
36:13This was perplexing to me as well.
36:16One critical thing that I was able to deduce was that the MVA tests weren't written
36:22or verbally translated in a language that my son could understand.
36:26Once my reasonable accommodation request was granted, he passed the written test on the very next try
36:34and was able to complete the driving portion of his driver's education class again on the first try.
36:46I later learned that the MVA was considering rewriting the driver's manual and test in plain language
36:52to make the test more accessible to all Marylanders, not just those with disabilities.
36:59As a mom, this made my heart smile because this was not my intention.
37:04But as the chair of the Maryland Developmental Disabilities Council,
37:09it made me very, very proud to see how the council was ready to quickly assist
37:14in moving the needle of inclusivity in areas not traditionally known to be challenged.
37:19My son has his first appointment next week to take the driver's test
37:23in hopes of getting his Maryland driver's license.
37:26This rite of passage for many is a direct path to increased independence for people with disabilities.
37:32His chances for gainful employment, post-secondary education, independent housing,
37:39and meaningful relationships will increase exponentially due to the work of the people in this room
37:45in accommodating his need for plain language in both written and spoken communication.
37:51Governor Moore will now afford many more Marylanders the access to information
37:56by simply asking for it to be written in plain language.
38:00This lets me and others know that we are moving into a more accessible future
38:05and I am definitely along for the ride, hopefully in my son's car.
38:51It's done.
39:35Bring that to Paris with you.