Maryland Department of Disabilities

What Maryland Department of Disabilities does

The Maryland Department of Disabilities (MDOD) is a Maryland state government agency headquartered at 217 E. Redwood Street, Suite 1300, Baltimore, Maryland, with 29 employees. Established by state authority and operational since at least 2015 (when the Ethan Saylor Alliance was passed), MDOD serves as the central coordinator for disability services across Maryland state government, linking constituents with disabilities to housing, employment, assistive technology, transportation, education, emergency preparedness, and language access resources.

MDOD's core programs include Access Maryland (statewide accessibility initiative), the Attendant Care Program, MDTAP (Maryland Assistive Technology Program) and its AT Loan Program, TAM (Telecommunications Access of Maryland) with Communication Facilitator services for DeafBlind individuals, Section 811 Project Rental Assistance, MPAH/Weinberg Apartments (affordable housing for non-elderly disabled persons at 10-30% of Area Gross Median Income funded by a $7M Harry and Jeanette Weinberg Foundation grant), the Maryland ABLE savings program, Disability Employment Advancement including the Maryland Model Employer initiative, Constituent Services, Transitioning Youth resources, IT Accessibility, and the Ethan Saylor Alliance. Underlying operational technology is non-proprietary: Video Remote Interpretation (VRI) on iPads, Language Line, TAM telecommunications, and Ad Astra-contracted interpreters/translators. Programs are interoperable primarily through case manager and support planner referrals rather than a unified software platform. Compliance frameworks include Title II/III ADA, Section 504, Section 508, Title VI, COMAR 14.33.02, and Maryland House Bill 981 (language access by July 2025).

MDOD operates a non-commercial revenue model; the agency is funded through annual Maryland state budget appropriations and federal grants (notably Section 811) and provides free services to Maryland residents with disabilities. Its go-to-market motion is community-led: services are distributed through direct agency operations, partner state agencies (MDH, DHCD, DLLR, MDEM, DOIT, GOCI, Maryland Behavioral Health Administration, Maryland Division of Rehabilitation Services, Maryland Developmental Disabilities Administration), case manager referrals, and constituent self-service via mdod.maryland.gov. Customer segments include Maryland residents with disabilities, Maryland employers, law enforcement and first responders, transitioning youth, and non-elderly disabled persons needing affordable housing.

Name

Maryland Department of Disabilities

Legal name

Maryland Department of Disabilities

Website

https://mdod.maryland.gov

Company type

Public

Founded year

2015

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

The Maryland Department of Disabilities (MDOD) is a 29-employee Maryland state government agency that coordinates disability services statewide, providing free programs in affordable housing, assistive technology, telecommunications access, employment support, language access, and law enforcement training to Maryland residents with disabilities.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Headquarters

HQ city

Baltimore

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices3 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Others

Revenue model

1. State Government Budget: MDOD is a Maryland state government agency funded through annual state budget appropriations and federal grants. The agency does not generate commercial revenue.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

MDOD is a Maryland state government agency that coordinates disability services and programs across state government for Maryland residents with disabilities. Its core offerings include accessibility initiatives (Access Maryland), personal assistance (Attendant Care Program), assistive technology devices and loans (MDTAP), telecommunications access for Deaf and Hard of Hearing individuals (TAM), affordable housing programs (Section 811, MPAH/Weinberg Apartments), employment advancement resources, language access services, and law enforcement training (Ethan Saylor Alliance). Services are delivered free of charge to constituents through direct agency operations and partner referrals.

Product overview

The Maryland Department of Disabilities (MDOD) operates as a state government agency providing a portfolio of disability services and support programs rather than a commercial product platform. The core offerings include Access Maryland (statewide accessibility), the Attendant Care Program, MDTAP (assistive technology with equipment loans), TAM (telecommunications access), and housing programs including Section 811 and Weinberg Apartments. Employment services support job seekers and employers through the Model Employer initiative, while the Ethan Saylor Alliance provides specialized law enforcement training. The department also delivers language access services, emergency preparedness support, education resources, and constituent services. These programs function as interconnected services coordinated through MDOD rather than a unified software product.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Access Maryland: Program providing accessibility resources and services
• Attendant Care
• MDTAP
• AT Loan Program
• TAM
• Ethan Saylor Alliance
• MPAH
• Maryland ABLE

Products and services

• Access Maryland Statewide accessibility initiative that works to make state programs, services, and information accessible to people with disabilities.
• Attendant Care Program Program providing personal assistance services to help individuals with disabilities live independently in their communities.
• MDTAP (Maryland Assistive Technology Program) Program that provides assistive technology devices and services, including the AT Loan Program that loans equipment to individuals with disabilities.
• TAM (Telecommunications Access of Maryland) Program providing telecommunications equipment and services for Marylanders with hearing or speech disabilities, including Communication Facilitator services for DeafBlind individuals.
• Section 811 Project Rental Assistance Project-based rental assistance program that links affordable housing with services and supports for people with disabilities, where tenants pay 30% of income for rent.
• MPAH - Weinberg Apartments Rental housing initiative funded by The Harry and Jeanette Weinberg Foundation providing affordable, accessible housing for non-elderly disabled persons at 10-30% of Area Gross Median Income.
• Disability Employment Advancement Employment program helping people with disabilities find and maintain employment, with resources for both job seekers and employers including the Maryland Model Employer initiative.
• Constituent Services Direct assistance program helping Marylanders with disabilities navigate state services, benefits, and resources.
• Maryland ABLE Tax-advantaged savings program for individuals with disabilities, allowing them to save money without losing eligibility for benefits.
• Ethan Saylor Alliance Training program that trains self-advocates to educate law enforcement and first responders on interacting effectively with individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities.
• Law Enforcement Training Curriculum Training curriculum for law enforcement on intellectual and developmental disabilities, approved by the Maryland Police and Correctional Training Commissions.
• Transitioning Youth Resources for youth with disabilities transitioning from high school to adulthood, employment, and independent living.
• Language Access Services Language access services providing interpretation (ASL, foreign language) and document translation to ensure Limited English Proficiency individuals and people who are Deaf/Hard of Hearing can access state services.

Named customers3 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature2 records

Partnerships

13 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• The Harry and Jeanette Weinberg FoundationcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner$7M in grants provided through the Affordable Rental Housing Opportunities Initiative for Persons with Disabilities. The Foundation partners with the State of Maryland to provide capital grants for owners of eligible rental housing developments to designate units for very low-income persons with disabilities at 10-30% of Area Gross Median Income.
• Maryland Department of HealthcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerMDH is a partner in the housing initiative and provides ongoing support for tenants through mental hygiene staff. MDOD qualifies eligible households and refers potential tenants to property managers.
• Maryland Department of Housing and Community Development (DHCD)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerDHCD provides financial assistance through its Multifamily Rental Housing Programs and pays the remainder of rent directly to landlords under the Section 811 program.
• Ad AstracoreTechnology or IntegrationState-contracted interpreter and translation services company used by MDOD for written document translation and in-person language interpretation services.
• Maryland Department of Emergency Management (MDEM)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerMDOD's Director of Emergency Preparedness Policy is activated during emergencies and works in partnership with MDEM to provide Whole Community Response, ensuring people with disabilities receive accommodations during emergencies.
• Department of Information Technology (DOIT)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerMDOD partners with DOIT on the state's Plain Language Initiative, creating strategic plans for accessible public-facing documents and websites.
• Governor's Office of Community Initiatives (GOCI)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerMDOD partners with GOCI on disability-related initiatives and community programs.
• Maryland Police and Correctional Training CommissionscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerThe Ethan Saylor Alliance training curriculum has been approved by MPCTC and meets entry-level training objectives 09.15-09.21 for law enforcement training on interacting with people with intellectual/developmental disabilities.
• Maryland Division of Rehabilitation ServicesminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerReferral partner for employment services for people with disabilities.
• Maryland Developmental Disabilities AdministrationminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerReferral partner for developmental disability services.
• Maryland Department of Labor, Licensing and Regulation (DLLR)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner agency for employment-related resources and job seekers.
• Maryland Behavioral Health AdministrationminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner agency for behavioral health-related disability services.
• America's Job CentersminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorEmployment resource centers referenced for job seekers with disabilities.

Scale indicators3 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• Texas Health and Human Services Commission - Disability Services: Texas state agency overseeing disability-related services including employment, housing supports, and assistive programs through HHS. Comparable multi-program disability-services coordination mandate at the state level, though embedded in a larger HHS umbrella.
• New York State Office for People With Developmental Disabilities (OPWDD): State-level agency responsible for coordinating services for New Yorkers with developmental disabilities, including housing, employment, and community living supports. Most comparable in mandate, programmatic scope, and coordinating role across multiple state departments.
• Florida Agency for Persons with Disabilities: Florida state agency administering home and community-based services, housing, and employment supports for persons with developmental disabilities. Closely aligned state-level disability services coordinating mission with comparable programmatic breadth.
• California Department of Developmental Services: California state agency that administers California's developmental disabilities services system, including housing, employment, and community-based supports. Closely comparable state-coordinating-agency structure and multi-program service portfolio to MDOD.
• Pennsylvania Office of Developmental Programs: Pennsylvania state office administering intellectual disability and autism services, including home and community-based waivers and employment supports. Comparable in coordinating role between state agencies and service providers.

Broad incumbents

• Administration for Community Living (ACL): U.S. federal agency that funds and coordinates disability, aging, and community-living services across states. Operates at a broader geographic and functional scope but addresses the same disability-services coordination function MDOD performs at the state level.

Others

• National Disability Institute: National nonprofit focused on financial inclusion and economic empowerment for people with disabilities, including ABLE savings program promotion. Comparable mission-adjacent work to MDOD's Maryland ABLE program and employment-advancement initiatives.
• The Arc of the United States: National community-based organization advocating for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities. Operates Maryland and other state chapters and addresses overlapping housing, employment, and community-living service gaps similar to MDOD programs.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights5 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/MDDisabilities
• Facebookfacebook.com/105423909499726
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/maryland-department-of-disabilities

Compliance7 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles2 records

Subsidiaries2 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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M&A

Investments

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Frequently asked questions about Maryland Department of Disabilities