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<section article="ghu" article_name="Human Services" number="7-114" future_version_removed="true" title_number="7" title_name="Individuals With Disabilities" subtitle_number="1" subtitle_name="Department of Disabilities">
  <level label="a">
    <level label="1">
      <text>The Department is the principal unit of State government responsible for developing, maintaining, revising, and enforcing statewide disability policies and standards throughout the units of State government.</text>
    </level>
    <level label="2">
      <text>In this capacity, the Department shall:</text>
      <level label="i">
        <text>serve as the principal advisor to the Governor on the means and methods available to:</text>
        <level label="1">
          <text>implement and fund support to individuals with disabilities in accordance with the State Disabilities Plan;</text>
        </level>
        <level label="2">
          <text>modify or consolidate support to individuals with disabilities; and</text>
        </level>
        <level label="3">
          <text>collaborate with federal, regional, and local units of government to enhance the effectiveness of the provision and funding of support to individuals with disabilities;</text>
        </level>
      </level>
      <level label="ii">
        <text>annually recommend projects to the Department of Budget and Management for inclusion in the capital budget to promote access to State–owned facilities for individuals with disabilities;</text>
      </level>
      <level label="iii">
        <text>assist units of State government to identify federal, State, local, and private funds available to the State for programs and services for individuals with disabilities; and</text>
      </level>
      <level label="iv">
        <text>provide technical assistance to local jurisdictions in planning and implementing collaborative strategies consistent with the State Disabilities Plan.</text>
      </level>
    </level>
  </level>
  <level label="b">
    <text>The Department shall oversee and administer the following programs and units:</text>
    <level label="1">
      <text>constituent services and ombudsmen programs;</text>
    </level>
    <level label="2">
      <text>the Assistive Technology Guaranteed Loan Program under Subtitle 6 of this title;</text>
    </level>
    <level label="3">
      <text>the Office of Personal Assistance Services, including the Attendant Care Program under Subtitle 4 of this title;</text>
    </level>
    <level label="4">
      <text>Telecommunications Access of Maryland under Subtitle 8 of this title;</text>
    </level>
    <level label="5">
      <text>Telecommunications Devices and Distribution of Accessible Information for Disabled Individuals under Subtitle 9 of this title;</text>
    </level>
    <level label="6">
      <text>the Office of Disability Employment Advancement and Policy;</text>
    </level>
    <level label="7">
      <text>the Maryland Assistive Technology Program under Subtitle 14 of this title; and</text>
    </level>
    <level label="8">
      <text>affordable and accessible housing programs.</text>
    </level>
  </level>
</section>
