WHEREAS, in 2014 the State of Maryland established a new Statewide Personnel System, a central data sharing and storage system called the HUB; and
WHEREAS, the HUB includes a multimedia web portal to facilitate mandatory training, an electronic time keeping system, and allows seamless sharing of data among agencies, reducing paper and travel costs; and
WHEREAS, in 2016 legislation was enacted to create the Commission on Innovation and Excellence in Education to make recommendations for legislative and policy initiatives that will increase the availability of innovative educational opportunities, and make adequate and equitable the funding for State public education; and
WHEREAS, in 2014, the Maryland State Board of Elections (SBE) selected and certified the Election Systems & Software (ES&S) ExpressVote ballot marking device (BMD) as the new accessible voting system to be used throughout Maryland starting in 2016; and
WHEREAS, in 2014, the Maryland State Board of Elections (SBE) selected and certified the Election Systems & Software (ES&S) ExpressVote ballot marking device (BMD) as the new accessible voting system to be used throughout Maryland starting in 2016; and
WHEREAS, Federal law mandates that students with disabilities, including the blind, receive a free and appropriate public education in the least restrictive environment and each student must have an Individualized Education Plan; and
WHEREAS, Maryland State laws require blind students be taught Braille, receive access to instructional technology, and be provided accessible textbooks and materials in a timely manner; and
WHEREAS, a desire to explore the subjects of Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math (STEM) is not limited to sighted students; and
WHEREAS, organizations such as First® LEGO® League, “challenges kids to think like scientists and engineers,” and solve real-world problems while learning how to build and program autonomous robots; and
WHEREAS, one of the core principles espoused by First® for their competitions is that of inclusion, “we respect each other an embrace our differences,”; and
WHEREAS, for generations blind employees have worked effectively in jobs that required travel by using mass transit and other forms of public and private transportation; and
WHEREAS, some Maryland State job postings include language that states that applicants may need to possess a valid Maryland driver’s license to be eligible for the position though the position’s essential functions do not involve operating an automobile or other mode of transportation or vehicle, for example positions like clerks, administrative assistants, and other program personnel; and
WHEREAS, the Maryland Library for the Blind and Physically Handicapped (LBPH) is a cooperating Network Library in the National Library Service (NLS) for the Blind and Physically Handicapped, Library of Congress System; and
WHEREAS, on October 1, 2019, NLS changed its name to National Library Service for the Blind and Print Disabled; and
WHEREAS, NLS took this action to more clearly communicate to government officials and the general public the audience that it serves; and
WHEREAS, in today’s society, everyone is expected to obtain a college degree because it is a passport to a successful life for both sighted and blind students; and
WHEREAS, if blind students are to be successful in higher education, they must have nonvisual access to textbooks, teacher communication, and other class resources; and
WHEREAS, because of advances in technology, nonvisual access is not only readily achievable, but also can be provided at the same time as the publication of print material; and
WHEREAS, the Maryland Transit Administration (MTA) within the Maryland Department of Transportation (MDOT) operates essential services that allow citizens to participate in all aspects of community life; and
WHEREAS, On June 30, 2020 MTA announced RESTORATION OF SERVICE IN RESPONSE TO COVID-19 Stage-2 Recovery Guidelines effective July 12, 2020; and