Know Your Rights

Knowing your rights is the first step in being the best advocate for yourself! The following information provides an overview of important federal and state laws that ensure equal opportunity for people with disabilities. As an advocacy organization, the National Federation of the Blind and the National Federation of the Blind of Maryland, played a leading role in the passage of these laws. To find out more about how these laws may apply to you, contact the agencies and organizations listed.

Right to be free from discrimination
Right to free and appropriate education
Right to non-visual access to public information
Right to rehabilitation and training services
Right to parent children
Right to be free from insurance discrimination

You Have the Right to be Free From Discrimination

Americans with Disabilities Act

The major federal law that prohibits discrimination on the basis of disability, including blindness, is the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). In addition to prohibiting employment discrimination (Title 1) this act also ensures participation in public activities, programs, and transportation (Title II), as well as access to public accommodations (Title III). For specific provisions of the ADA visit the ADA web site or call the ADA Information Line at (800) 514-0301.

For employment discrimination violations under Title I of the ADA you should contact the Equal Employment Opportunities Commission. Charges of discrimination may be filed at any EEOC field office, which are located throughout the 50 states and are listed in most telephone directories under "U.S. Government." For the appropriate EEOC field office in your geographic area, call (800) 669-4000 or visit the EEOC web site.

For Title II violations of the ADA that deal with access to public activities (such as education, recreation, health care, social services, and voting) contact the U.S. Department of Justice at the address below. To report violations regarding the use of, and access to, public transportation (such as city buses and rail transit), you may file a complaint with the U.S. Department of Transportation.

U.S. Department of Justice, Civil Rights Division
Disability Rights Section -NYAV
950 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW
Washington, DC 20530
Phone: (800) 514-0301

Office of Civil Rights
Federal Transit Administration
U.S. Department of Transportation
400 Seventh Street, S.W.
Room 9102
Washington, D.C. 20590
Web site: www.fta.dot.gov/ada
Phone: (888) 446-4511

Maryland's White Cane Law

The major state law that protects people from discrimination based on blindness is the Maryland White Cane law prohibiting discrimination in employment, housing, and in public accommodations, and ensuring access to public facilities, streets, sidewalks, and other public places in the State of Maryland. The law includes special provisions for blind and visually impaired pedestrians as it instructs drivers to be observant of blind and visually impaired pedestrians using a white cane or guide dog to navigate public transportation. The law also guarantees a blind person the right to be accompanied by a specially trained dog guide in all public accommodations and on all forms of public transportation. read the Maryland White Cane law in MS Word format.

If you feel your rights have been denied under The White Cane Law, contact the Maryland Commission on Human Relations or the Human Relations Commission for the county in which you live. If the human relations commission finds that discrimination occurred and the employer refuses to settle, the complainant may go to state or federal court for a remedy. Having a state court remedy was added to Maryland law in 2007.

Maryland’s Genetic Information - Non-discrimination in Employment Law (HB 18/SB 2)

HB 18/SB 2 is the state law, enacted in 2001, that prohibits discrimination in the workplace on the basis of genetic information. This law is important because some causes of blindness are genetic.
Read the genetics discrimination law in MS Word format. Read the genetics discrimination law in PDF format.

You have the right to free and appropriate education

Individuals with Disabilities Education Improvement Act (IDEA)

The Individuals with Disabilities Education Improvement Act (IDEA) is the federal law that guarantees blind and visually impaired students the right to a free and appropriate public education. The law specifies that each student must have an individualized education plan (IEP) and outlines the parents’ rights to be involved in the development of the IEP.

For additional information on IDEA, visit the new IDEA web site and the Wrights Law web site. For additional information on how IDEA is being implemented in the State of Maryland, visit the Maryland State Department of Education web site. For additional resources visit the Maryland Disability Law Center web site.

Maryland Laws of specific interest to blind and visually impaired students

Maryland Literacy Rights and Education Act

The Maryland Literacy Rights and Education Act, enacted in 1992, guarantees the right to instruction in Braille reading and writing for blind and visually impaired students. Students must have the opportunity to learn Braille even if they have partial vision. It will be appropriate for some visually impaired students to learn to read both Braille and print. When determining if a student should learn Braille the IEP team must consider the students future literacy needs and whether the student has a medically indicated expectation of visual deterioration. Read the Maryland Literacy Rights and Education Act in MS Word format. For further reading on the Braille literacy issue, see the NFB's article "Braille, Print, or Both?".

Maryland's Non-Visual Access to Instructional Technology Laws

The State of Maryland has enacted two laws that provide non-visual access to instructional technology. In 2002, SB 226 was enacted into law. This legislation insures equivalent access for students with disabilities to the Technology for Education Program, this program is for students in elementary and secondary schools. Read SB 266 in MS Word format or PDF format.

SB 360 was enacted into law in 2005. This law requires all public institutions of higher education in Maryland to adopt non-visual access standards to online learning and the procurement of information technology by January 2007. Read SB 360 in MS Word format or PDF format.

Maryland's Non-Visual Access to Textbooks

HB 710 was enacted into law in 2006. This law contains provisions for the on-time delivery of accessible textbooks for blind and visually impaired students in elementary and secondary education. "Beginning on July 1, 2007, the Instructional Resources Center shall make reasonable efforts to provide the instructional materials in specialized formats to students who are blind or visually impaired for use on the first day of classes each year." This law implements the accessible textbook provisions of the 2004 IDEA.

If you have questions about obtaining specific textbooks, contact:
Linda Rosendall, Manager
Instructional Resource Center for Students with Visual Impairments
The Maryland School for the Blind
Bledsoe Building
3501 Taylor Avenue
Baltimore, MD 21236
Phone: 410-444-5000 extension 1713.

Read Hb 710 in MS Word format. or Read HB 710 in PDF format.

To read more about the implementation of this law go to COMAR (Code of Maryland Regulations) and read section .01 Textbooks and section .04 State Administration.

In 2007, SB268/HB1056 was enacted into law. This law extends provisions for the on-time delivery of accessible textbooks to blind and visually impaired students in post-secondary education. Beginning with the term in September 2008, the Maryland State Library for the Blind and Physically Handicapped will receive electronic files from publishers and coordinate their delivery to students. Read in SB 268/ HB 1056Word format or in PDF format.

Maryland's Standards for Instruction in Braille Reading, Writing, and Math

In 2010, HB 413 and SB 230 were enacted into law. This legislation instructs the Maryland State Department of Education to create standards for students from pre-kindergarten to meet in Braille reading, writing, and mathematics. These standards must be created by September 1, 2012.

Read HB 413 (section G) in MS Word Format or Read HB 413 (section G) in PDF Format

Maryland Parental Rights in the IEP Process

Parents have the right to review assessments, reports and other educational documents five business days before an IEP is convened. Parents also have the right to receive a copy of the completed IEP five business days after the meeting. All documents must be provided in an accessible format. These rights are outlined in HB 269 and SB 540, which were enacted into law in 2010. Read HB 269 in Word format. Read HB 269 in PDF format.

You Have the Right to Non-Visual Access to Maryland Government Public Information

HB 592/SB 607 was enacted into law in 2000. It provides non-visual access to information technology and information technology services used in Maryland state government. Read HB 593 / SB 607 in Word format or in PDF format. To view the regulations that implement this law or the non-visual access standards created because of this law, visit the MD Department of Information Technology web site.

You Have the Right to Rehabilitation and Training Services

Rehabilitation Act

The Rehabilitation Act is the Federal law that provides state vocational rehabilitation, supported employment, independent living, and client assistance programs. It also authorizes training and service grants administered by the Rehabilitation Services Administration.

Federal law guarantees client involvement in every step of the rehabilitation process. Important choices you need to make include: choosing your employment or independent living goal, identifying the services you need, and deciding where you will go to receive those services. You and your counselor together develop an individualized plan for employment or IPE. You have the right to have a copy of the plan in the format of your choice. Your plan can be amended if you need additional services or your employment goal changes. Since no services can be purchased without a signed plan, the better you are prepared when you meet with your counselor, the faster your services can be provided.

All assessments conducted by your rehabilitation agency are free. You may request that an interpreter be provided at all meetings with your counselor.

You have the right to choose a person to accompany and assist you throughout the rehabilitation process. If at any point in the process, you do not agree with a decision made by the counselor, you may attempt to resolve your concerns with the counselor’s supervisor. You may also seek assistance from the client assistance program (CAP) and/or from any other advocate at any time in the rehabilitation process. You always have the right to file a formal appeal and to request formal mediation.

Click here for more information on the Rehabilitation Act.

Maryland Rehabilitation Services

The Maryland Department of Education, Division of Rehabilitation Services provides leadership and support in promoting the employment, economic self-sufficiency and independence of individuals with disabilities. The Office for Blindness & Vision Services publishes A Guide to Rehabilitation Services and Resources for Individuals who are Blind or Severely Visually Impaired.

For additional information, contact the Office for Blindness & Vision Services at:
2301 Argonne Drive
Baltimore, MD 21218
Phone: 410-554-9277
Toll free: 866-614-4780

Click here for specific information on DORS policies and procedures or click here for information on the Client Assistance Program.

You Have The Right To Parent Children

In 2009, HB 689 / SB 613 was enacted into law. This law prohibits discrimination on the basis of disability against parents, guardians or caregivers who are involved in adoption, custody, or Children in Need of Assistance (CINA) cases. Read HB 689 / SB 613 in Word format or Read HB 689 / SB 613 PDF format.

You Have The Right To BE Free From Insurance Discrimination

In 2008, legislation was enacted to prohibit discrimination on the basis of genetic information in long-term care insurance. Read HB29 / SB18 in Word format or Read HB29 / SB18in PDF format. Legislation has also been enacted to prohibit discrimination on the basis of Blindness in life insurance.

Disclaimer

www.NFBMD.org does not provide legal consultation or legal advice. If you are in need of legal assistance please contact an attorney who specializes in disability law.