Maryland Department of Health
Developmental Disabilities Administration

Technology First

​​About​​ > Focus Areas >​ Technology First​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​

On August 15, 2022, Maryland became a Technology First State through a governor's proclamation. This means Maryland is committed to empowering all Marylanders with disabilities to have access to technology that will help them live, work and play in their communities. 
Maryland Technology First logo  

Technology First is defined as: 
A “framework for systems change where technology is considered first in the discussion of support options available to individuals and families through person-centered approaches to promote meaningful participation, social inclusion, self-determination and quality of life.” (Tanis, 2019)​

DDA Waiver Services

Remote Support ServicesRemote Support Services provides support and monitoring in a person's home through an off-site electronic support system. This helps increase a person's independence by reducing or replacing the amount of staffing a person needs, while ensuring their health and safety. Examples include emergency alert sensors, two-way communication devices, remote monitoring, and voice-activated appliances.
​Assistive Technology and Services ​“Assistive Technology” or “AT” is software, equipment, or a system that helps a person to be as independent as possible and to live, work, and play in their community. Examples include assistive technology assessments, iPads, weighted spoons, screen readers, apps for creating social stories, GPS maps, and scheduling software and apps.

Frequently Asked​​ Questions​​

How do I identify my technology needs?
Talk to your friends, family, and other team members about what your wants and needs are. Once you talk to people you trust, reach out to your Coordinator of Community Services (CCS) about scheduling a team meeting to talk about your options and to see if a technology assessment might be helpful for your planning.

Once I have identified what I need, how do I get the services?
Congratulations on finding technology that can help meet your needs. Please share that information with your CCS who can help create or revise your person-centered plan (PCP) to include Assistive Technology Services.​

Where in my PCP should I document my technology needs?
Technology can be identified in your PCP in a variety of locations depending on your needs. For example, you may use technology at home and in the community, so that should be documented in the applicable Focus Area Exploration sections. If technology is being used to support a health and safety need, you should also identify that on the risks page of your PCP. There is also a Technology section, which includes space for you to describe the technology you use throughout your day.​​


Maryland R​esources

  • Maryland Inclusive Housing Assistive Technology Navigator​​ - ​Developed in partnership with the DDA, the Assistive Technology Navigator is a resource list which will assist people to think about how technology can make living on their own a possibility: ​mih-inc.org/assistive-technology-navigator​​
  • Maryland Technology Assistance Program (MDTAP) - Offers assistive technology (AT) libraries across the state, AT demonstrations, consultations, short-term device loans, a high-tech AT Reuse Center, training, webinars and a low-interest financial loan program: mdod.maryland.gov/mdtap/Pages/MDTAP-Home.aspx​
  • Access Maryland - Works closely with project engineers, architects, and construction managers to ensure that individuals with a range of physical disabilities can fully interact and engage with buildings, parks, universities, and other state-owned facilities across the state of Maryland: mdod.maryland.gov/accessmd/Pages/Access-Maryland-Home.aspx
  • Maryland State Department of Education’s Division of Rehabilitation Services (DORS) - Provides funding for work-related technology, e.g., desktop or portable video magnifiers, note-taking devices and specialized software: dors.maryland.gov/consumers/WTC/RTS/Pages/AT.aspx
  • Arc Tech Toolbox - A place to find, share, rate and review technology for people with intellectual or developmental disabilities: Tech Toolbox™ (thearc.org)
  • Maryland Department of Transportation - Maryland Transit Administration’s Mobility Link All Access - MDOT MTA Mobility has expanded its service to customers with Mobility All Access, an online desktop and mobile phone software application that significantly enhances previous online services like ride-bookings, lookups and trip cancellations. Mobility All Access replaces PassWeb, the prior application used to book mobility trips, and expands its capabilities for use on smartphones: Mobility All Access | Maryland Transit Administration​
  • Kennedy Krieger Assistive Technology Clinic - Combines innovative technologies and the expertise of specialists to allow children and adults to enjoy many of the same activities as their peers: Assistive Technology Clinic | Kennedy Krieger Institute​
  • Home Modification Self-Help Guide - Provides information and resources about home modification: peoples-law.org/home-modification-self-help-guide​​​

Additional R​esources​

Tech Tuesdays Webinar Series

Thumbnail image of the Maryland Technology First Day Proclamation from 2023​