How You Can Help

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Donations

MDLC is a non-profit organization that serves Maryland residents with disabilities. Our funding comes from federal and state grants, a state contract for legal services, and foundation grants for special projects. We welcome donations from individuals or organizations interested in helping to fund our legal work. Because MDLC is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization, donations are tax-deductible.

For more information about donations, including estate planning gifts, please contact our Executive Director, Virginia Knowlton, at 410-727-6352.  You can also make a donation to MDLC via credit card on our home page using the secure "donate" button. 

Pro Bono Attorney Referral Program

In addition to providing direct legal representation for some clients who need advocacy services with the local special education systems, MDLC also maintains a special education pro bono attorney referral program. Through this program we match those people whom MDLC is not able to serve with attorneys who are willing to provide free legal representation.

If you are an attorney interested in a meaningful pro bono experience, we hope you will join our special education program. We will provide you with free training, materials and on-going technical assistance in the area of special education law in exchange for a pro bono case. You will have the opportunity to designate geographic preference and choose between general special education cases and/or discipline cases involving students with disabilities. All of our clients meet the Maryland Legal Services Corporation low-income guidelines and all involve children who are not receiving the services they are entitled to in order to learn and live independently.

You need not be a litigator as our cases typically involve school meetings and perhaps mediation. Occasionally a case may require a due process hearing, however, we do not ask our pro bono attorneys to commit beyond the due process stage. Whatever course your case may take, knowledgeable MDLC staff attorneys are available to assist you at any time. MDLC is available to train small or large groups of attorneys at a location and time convenient to your group.

If you are an attorney interested in joining our pro bono program or would like additional information, please contact Lauren Kallins, Esq., Pro Bono Coordinator, at 410-727-6352 extension 2506.  We look forward to hearing from you!

Volunteer Parent Advocates Program

MDLC is one of 11 members of the CityWide Education Coalition, a network of organizations that helps parents of Baltimore City special education students. The network was designed to address the many requests of Baltimore City families for assistance with the special education process. One of the key components of the network is the Volunteer Parent Advocate (VPA) program.

VPAs are parents who have first-hand knowledge and experience advocating for their own child's education in Baltimore City Public Schools, and have volunteered to assist other families to resolve special education problems. VPAs are interested community members who can provide telephone support or go to school meetings with family members. The CityWide Coalition provides continuous training and support to assist VPAs in their efforts to help other families.

If you have experience with the special education process, and would like to help parents of Baltimore City Public School System Students, please consider being a VPA.

For more information about the CityWide Coalition please call Pat Halle, MDLC CityWide Coordinator, at 410-727-6352, extension 2501. For more information about the VPA program, to request the assistance of a VPA, or to volunteer as a VPA, please call Families Involved Together at 410-235-5222.