July is Disability Pride Month. It is an opportunity to celebrate the 36th anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act, learn more about disability rights and culture, and recognize the advocates, stakeholders, and grassroots organizers who continue to fight for the rights of people with disabilities every day. The ADA was signed into law on July 26, 1990, and remains a landmark civil rights law that promotes equal opportunity for people with disabilities.

It is also an opportunity to state clearly and plainly: disability rights are civil rights. People with disabilities have the right to be fully included in society without unnecessary barriers.

At MVLS, we know that the path to accessing justice is not equal for everyone. According to the Legal Services Corporation’s Justice Gap research, 82% of low-income households with a disability had at least one civil legal problem in the past year.

Legal and systemic barriers in housing, consumer, tax, family, estate planning, and education matters can deeply affect people with disabilities. These barriers can make it harder to remain housed, protect income, resolve debt, plan for the future, or access needed services.

Looking for a way to celebrate locally? Baltimore’s 4th Annual Disability Pride Arts Fest will take place on Saturday, July 18, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Enoch Pratt Free Library’s Central Library. The free, accessible event will feature disabled artists, resource organizations, mini art workshops, and live performances.

While we recognize the inequities that exist, MVLS strives to support people with disabilities throughout our legal programs. Our mission is to remove barriers to justice through free civil legal services, community engagement, and advocacy for equitable laws.

MVLS provides legal help in areas including:

Consumer Issues 

• Bankruptcy, debt collection, and contracts 

Criminal Record Relief 

• Expungement, shielding, and vacatur 

Estate Planning & Administration 

• Wills, probate, life estate deeds, financial powers of attorney, and advance medical directives 

Family Law 

• Adoption, custody, divorce, guardianship, and name changes or birth certificate corrections 

Housing 

• Deeds, foreclosure, ground rent, landlord-tenant issues, and tax sale 

Income Tax Law 

• Audits, collections, Earned Income Tax Credit denials, refund claims, and innocent spouse relief 

Special Education 

• IEP meetings, school discipline meetings, expulsion hearings, and dispute resolution 

Get Help

MVLS Intake Team: 410-547-6537
Hours: Monday–Thursday, 9:00 a.m.–12:00 p.m.
Online Intake: Free Legal Help

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Authored by Payton Aldridge, Special Education Staff Attorney at Maryland Volunteer Lawyers Service, where she supports families navigating education-related legal issues and barriers to access.