Disability Rights Maryland

What Disability Rights Maryland does

Disability Rights Maryland (DRM) is a private, nonprofit 501(c)(3) organization founded in 1977 and headquartered at 1500 Union Ave, Ste. 2000, Baltimore, Maryland. It is the federally designated Protection and Advocacy (P&A) agency for the state of Maryland, providing free legal advocacy services to Marylanders with disabilities. Its work spans investigation of abuse and neglect in institutional settings, individual legal representation, and systemic legislative advocacy across topic areas including adult and children's Medicaid services, mental health, developmental disabilities, special education, supported decision-making, Social Security, voting rights, and the intersection of disability and criminal justice.

The organization operates its core federally funded PAIMI (Protection & Advocacy for Individuals with Mental Illness) program and runs a multi-channel intake operation (phone, toll-free, TTY, in-person, web) supported by a Pro Bono volunteer program and an annual client survey that informs its Legal Advocacy Services Plan. It does not operate a software product; its "technology" is legal expertise and statutory authority rather than a platform. Marketing and community engagement are conducted through the disabilityrightsmd.org website, email newsletter, social channels (Facebook, LinkedIn, YouTube, Instagram), news releases tied to investigations and legislative work, and workshops such as Charting the Life Course for transitioning youth.

DRM's business model is grant- and donation-funded rather than revenue-generating. Primary funding flows from federal authorities — HHS (ACL, SAMHSA), U.S. Department of Education (RSA), and the Social Security Administration (SSA) — supplemented by individual donations channeled through Combined Federal Campaign #76352 and United Way/Maryland Charities Campaign #5178. Services are provided at no charge to clients. The organization is led by Executive Director Meghan Marsh, Managing Attorney Leslie Seid Margolis, and Senior Advocate Tam Lynne Kelley, with governance from a Board of Directors and a PAIMI Advisory Council.

Name

Disability Rights Maryland

Legal name

Disability Rights Maryland

Website

https://disabilityrightsmd.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1977

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Disability Rights Maryland is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit and Maryland's federally designated Protection and Advocacy agency, providing free legal advocacy, abuse/neglect investigation, and systemic legislative representation to Marylanders with disabilities across Medicaid, mental health, education, housing, and voting rights.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Disability Legal Advocacy Services

NAICS

Services for the Elderly and Persons with Disabilities (624120), Human Rights Organizations (813311)

SIC

Services-Social Services (8300)

akta.pro primary industry

Disability Rights & Accessibility Advocacy (BPAGAFAF)

akta.pro secondary industry

Civil Liberties & Constitutional Rights Advocacy (BPAGAFAA)

Keywords

• Disability legal advocacy
• Protection and advocacy
• Disability rights services
• Mental health advocacy
• Special education rights

Headquarters

HQ city

Baltimore

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Infrastructure

Revenue model

1. Federal Government Grants: Primary funding from federal agencies including HHS/ACL, SAMHSA, Department of Education/RSA, and Social Security Administration. These grants fund the Protection & Advocacy programs including PAIMI (Protection & Advocacy for Individuals with Mental Illness).
2. Donations: Accepts tax-deductible donations as a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization. Combined Federal Campaign #76352; United Way/Maryland Charities Campaign #5178.

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

Disability Rights Maryland provides free legal advocacy and protection services to Marylanders with disabilities. As the state's designated Protection and Advocacy (P&A) agency, it investigates allegations of abuse and neglect, represents individuals in legal matters related to disability rights, and conducts systemic advocacy to change laws and policies affecting people with disabilities.

Product overview

Disability Rights Maryland (DRM) is a private, nonprofit 501(c)(3) organization that serves as Maryland's designated Protection and Advocacy (P&A) agency. DRM offers a portfolio of legal advocacy services organized by topic areas including Adult Medicaid Services, Adult Mental Health, Children Medicaid Services, Children's Mental Health, Developmental Disabilities, Disability is Not a Crime, Special Education, Supported Decision Making, Social Security/Medicaid for Working Adults, and Voting Rights. The organization operates its PAIMI (Protection & Advocacy for Individuals with Mental Illness) program as a core federally-funded initiative. DRM also provides Get Help intake services, a Pro Bono volunteer program, educational DRM Videos, and publishes annual reports. The organization does not offer a unified software product but rather delivers legal advocacy services, resources, and educational materials to people with disabilities across Maryland.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• PAIMI Program (Protection & Advocacy for Individuals with Mental Illness)

Quantifiable outcome

• Successfully advocated for $23 million restoration to DDA budget
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers3 records

Segments1 record

Ideal customer profiles1 record

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

Four partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• PAIMI Advisory CouncilcoreOthersMental Health Advisory Council providing guidance on PAIMI (Protection & Advocacy for Individuals with Mental Illness) program priorities and advocacy efforts. Susan Kudus serves as President.
• Maryland General Assembly LegislatorscoreOthersCollaborates with individual legislators to advocate for bills protecting disability rights including child welfare, voting rights, mental health, developmental disabilities, and housing.
• Social Security AdministrationminorOthersFunding partner providing grants that support DRM's advocacy work, including programs helping student beneficiaries of Social Security age 14-21.
• Maryland Department of HealthcoreOthersState agency overseeing DDA and mental health services that DRM advocates against and monitors for compliance with disability rights.

Scale indicators5 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Disability Rights New York: Designated Protection & Advocacy agency for New York state providing legal advocacy for people with disabilities — directly comparable in mandate, federal funding, and statutory authority to DRM.
• Disability Rights California: California's P&A agency delivering legal advocacy and abuse/neglect investigations — same federal designation, services portfolio, and revenue model as DRM.
• National Disability Rights Network (NDRN): Umbrella organization for state P&As including DRM — directly comparable mandate with national scope that sets standards and provides training to members like DRM.
• Disability Rights Texas: Texas's designated P&A agency offering legal advocacy across disability categories — directly parallel structure and funding streams to DRM.
• Disability Rights Pennsylvania: Pennsylvania's P&A agency with comparable legal advocacy, intake services, and federal grant funding model.
• Maryland Legal Aid: Maryland nonprofit providing civil legal services to low-income residents — comparable state-focused legal aid nonprofit with similar funding structure and client base.
• Equip for Equality: Illinois's P&A system serving individuals with disabilities — directly comparable federally-funded state advocacy organization.
• Disability Rights Advocates: National nonprofit legal center advancing equal rights for people with disabilities — directly comparable mission and litigation-based advocacy model operating in multiple states.
• Public Justice Center: Maryland-based legal advocacy nonprofit tackling systemic issues affecting low-income communities — comparable legal advocacy mission and Maryland operating geography.

Broad incumbents

• ACLU of Maryland: Maryland affiliate of the national ACLU pursuing civil rights and liberties litigation — overlapping civil-rights advocacy mandate but with broader civil rights portfolio beyond disability.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/@disabilityrightsmaryland
• Facebookfacebook.com/DisabilityRightsMD
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/disabilityrightsmd
• Instagraminstagram.com/disabilityrightsmd
• Xx.com/DisabRightsMD

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles3 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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M&A

Investments

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Frequently asked questions about Disability Rights Maryland