SB 853 HB 1161

THE ETHAN SAYLOR CENTER

FOR
SELF-ADVOCATES AS EDUCATORS
AS RECOMMENDED BY
THE COMMISSION FOR EFFECTIVE COMMUNITY
INCLUSION OF INDIVIDUALS WITH
INTELLECTUAL AND DEVELOPMENTAL DISABILITIES
BACKGROUND:

The Governors Commission for the Effective Community Inclusion of Individuals with Intellectual
and Developmental Disabilities recommended the establishment of a new center to support the
coordination and preparation of people with intellectual and developmental disabilities to be active
educators in training programs in various sectors across the state.

For there to be meaningful inclusion, people with intellectual and developmental disabilities must
play a strong and central role in the education of public sector personnel, including law enforcement.

The need for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities as trainers of law enforcement
(both new-entry and in-service for existing officers) as well as in other sectors across the State, such
as hospitals, transportation systems, courts and businesses, exceeds the capacity of the nonprofit
community in Maryland to fulfill.

The Commission reviewed training programs for law enforcement in Maryland and across the
United States and missing was the voice and engagement of people with intellectual and
developmental disabilities.

LEGISLATION TO CREATE THE ETHAN SAYLOR CENTER WOULD:

Create a center housed at a university to recruit, train and support people with intellectual and
developmental disabilities to play a central role in trainings across the public sector, including law
enforcement.

Ensure that people with intellectual and developmental disabilities are an integral and sustained
part of all training about people with disabilities across State government.

Identify and disseminate national, state and local training best practices regarding people with
intellectual and developmental disabilities as trainers and educators, as well as training that
increases awareness, understanding and inclusion of people with disabilities.

Establish a Governing Board for the Center that oversees and monitors the effectiveness of training
programs that include people with intellectual and developmental disabilities.

Be the first in the nation to send a strong message that people with intellectual and developmental
disabilities have a voice and must play a central role in any training about appropriately and
effectively interacting with people with intellectual and developmental disabilities.

NEED TO CREATE THE CENTER IN MARYLAND:

Over 90,000 Marylanders are individuals with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities (I/DD),
such as autism, cerebral palsy, and down syndrome;

Individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities, like all Marylanders, have the right to
full, meaningful, and equal participation in all aspects of community life;

Although individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities may have cognitive challenges,
they have skills, capabilities, and experiences that, when supported and encouraged, enable them to
make meaningful contributions to their families and communities; however, these abilities are often
unrecognized, underestimated, or misunderstood by others;

Robert Ethan Saylor was a 26-year-old Marylander who happened to have an intellectual disability.
Mr. Saylor died on January 12, 2013, in Frederick County in his local communitys movie theater;

Many governmental and non-governmental entities, including law enforcement officials and other
first responders, receive limited training about interacting, supporting, and working with individuals
with intellectual and developmental disabilities;

This lack of knowledge and understanding has a widespread and significantly negative impact on the
inclusion on people with intellectual and developmental disabilities in community life;

True inclusion on people with intellectual and developmental disabilities, whereby people with I/DD
feel welcomed and accepted throughout their communities, starts with people with intellectual and
developmental disabilities having the central role in educating entities that interact with people with
I/DD.

MARYLAND DEVELOPMENTAL DISABILITIES COALITION

People on the Go of Maryland The Arc Maryland Maryland Disability Law Center
Maryland Association of Community Services Maryland Developmental Disabilities Council