2016 Leadership in Advocacy Award

December 6, 2016

The Leadership in Advocacy Award is presented to an outstanding individual or family member who has exhibited exceptional leadership and self-advocacy skills in the area of intellectual and developmental disabilities.

Mat Rice

Maryland Center for Developmental Disabilities
Kennedy Krieger Institute

In Appreciation of Your Advocacy, Leadership, and Service

"As both a professional leader at the MCDD and an articulate self-advocate, Mat brings a unique and powerful blend of perspectives to the work of UCEDDs. Mat has played a leadership role in advancing the legislative platform of People on the Go of Maryland for the past five years. His leadership was also instrumental in the historic passage of the Ken Capone Equal Employment Act in Maryland this year, which ends the discriminatory practice of subminimum wage for people with disabilities. Mat has effectively educated elected officials, provided testimony in Annapolis, and worked behind the scenes with disability advocates and concerned families to move this dialogue forward. He has also advocated for legislative action around a number of other priorities, including: the ABLE Act, closing institutions, reliable transportation, increasing wages for direct support staff, accessible housing, and community integration. Through Mat's leadership, People On the Go has had a voice in Maryland politics."