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MCAR (Maryland Coalition of Advocates for the Retarded*)
is a statewide coordinating coalition which seeks to advocate for individuals with mental retardation and/or developmental
disabilities (MR/DD) and work for accountability, choice and quality in a wide range of services for those individuals and
their families. We advocate for a variety of quality residential settings including independent living, family homes, community
group homes, and the four Maryland state residential centers: Holly (Salisbury), Potomac (Hagerstown), Rosewood (Owings Mills)
and Brandenburg (Cumberland).
Some MCAR members have family members who reside in the community while others have
family members who reside at the residential centers. We differ from the ARC and other organizations who have an adamant "close
all institutions" attitude. We recognize the need for, and we advocate for, a range of options and a continuum of care in
Maryland which will allow each person to live in the setting that best suits his individual needs at any particular time in
his or her life. MCAR opposes across the board downsizing and closure of SRCs.
A key component in the issue is the
right to CHOICE. Individuals who thrive in a community setting should be given the opportunity to reside in their own communities
while persons with more involved disabilities who may require the complex medical, behavioral, social and personal care that
is best offered through a residential center should also be given the choice of living at an SRC -- where they will receive
the most appropriate level of care. Modern and up-to-date residential centers are staffed by qualified and dedicated people
who offer the highest quality of loving care in home-like settings. MCAR believes that it is important to recognize that there
are a variety of disabilities and degrees of disabilities. Consequently, we advocate for a variety of residential options.
(*MCAR respects that today's politically correct terminology should refer to the individual rather than the condition.
In selecting a name, it was necessary to be concise -- the name MCAR is not intended to minimize the importance of the individual
or to place emphasis on any particular disability. MCAR believes in the "people first" concept and respects the abilities
and individual needs of each and every person.)
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