Brief History & Funding

MDLC is Maryland’s designated Protection & Advocacy (P&A) agency and a member of the National Disability Rights Network.  As such, MDLC is part of a nationwide network of organizations working to advance the rights of people with disabilities.  Congress established the P&A System in 1975 in response to squalid conditions in institutional facilities for people with disabilities.  In creating and funding the P&As, Congress granted us unique statutory authority to conduct investigations of suspected abuse and neglect of individuals with disabilities in facilities.

MDLC receives federal funding from several agencies under the following grants:

Protection & Advocacy for  Developmental Disabilities (PADD)
Protection & Advocacy for Individuals with Mental Illness (PAIMI)
Protection & Advocacy for Individual Rights (PAIR)
Protection & Advocacy for Assistive Technology (PAAT)
Protection & Advocacy for Beneficiaries of Social Security (PABSS)
Protection & Advocacy for Traumatic Brain Injury (PATBI)
Protection & Advocacy for Voting Access (PAVA)

In addition, MDLC is a proud grantee of the Maryland Legal Services Corporation (MLSC).

Maryland Legal Services Corporation Logo

MDLC has been fortunate to receive funding for our work from various private foundations.  Current and recent grants have been provided by Baltimore Community Foundation, the Harry & Jeanette Weinberg Foundation, the Jacob & Hilda Blaustein Foundation, and the Aaron and Lillie Straus Foundation.  MDLC currently has a grant from the Maryland Developmental Disabilities Council as well.

MDLC’s governing Board of Directors financially supports the organization with 100% participation.

MDLC also relies on – and is grateful to receive – charitable contributions from individuals donors like you to make possible our advocacy for individuals with disabilities who are unable to afford the legal assistance they need.  Please consider making a donation to MDLC today, and remembering us in your estate planning as well.  We accept financial contributions online – please see our home page.  Thank you for your support!