This is a list that will be updated whenever there’s new resources for our Eastern Shore disability community. Please feel free to share ones that you don’t spot here! As of now, it’s only in English, but check back soon!
This was updated June 24th 2026. It’s currently in the process of having new resources added!
If this format isn’t accessible or you want to add resources, please email me at DomTheAdvocate@Gmail.com
If you would like to share this Resource Guide, please use a link to redirect to my website or snd me an email please!
Resource Guides for the Eastern Shore:
- Eastern Shore Homeless Resource: note this is not an accessible document
Maryland State Resources:
Developmental Disabilities Eastern Shore Regional Office:
Telephone: (410) 572-5920
DDA – Eastern Shore Regional Office,
926 Snow Hill Road,
Building 100
Salisbury, MD 21804
Hotlines:
- 211 Maryland: provides resources on housing, food, healthcare, etc. Help is available 24/7 and in 150+ languages. Text is also available. Click here to call or text 898-211 your zip code.
- 988 Suicide & Crisis: provides crisis support for people experiencing mental health emergencies. Help is available 24/7 and in English and Spanish. Text and online chat are also available. The hotline is 100% confidential. Click here to call or text 988.
- National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI): provides resources for mental health, resources, etc. Help is available 24/7 and in English, Spanish and other languages. Text and email are also available. The hotline is 100% confidential. Click here to call, text NAMI to 62640 or click here to email.
- The Deaf Hotline: provides support via ASL for people who are Hard of Hearing and Deaf who are experiencing abuse. Help is available 24/7. The hotline is 100% confidential. Chat and website contact are also available. Click here to call.
- Deaf Crisis Hotline: provides support via ALS for people who are Hard of Haring and Deaf who are experiencing abuse, mental health crime, etc. Help is available 24/7. The hotline is 100% confidential. Video call is also available. Click here to call.
- The Trevor Project: provides crisis support for LGBTQ+ youth from the ages 13-24. Help is available 24/7 and in English and Spanish. Text and online chat are also available. The hotline is 100% confidential. Click here to call or text 678678.
Lower Shore Food Resource Guides:
Maryland Non-Profits and Agencies:
- National Federation of the Blind of Maryland: the Md. chapter of the National Federation of the Blind
Eastern Shore Non-Profits and Agencies:
- Bay Area Center for Independent Living: serves all disabilities
- United Needs & Abilities: serves developmental and intellectual disabilities
- Fello: serves developmental and intellectual disabilities
- Dove Pointe: serves all disabilities
- Shore Up!: serves all disabilities and offers lots of financial resources
- Bay Shore: serves all disabilities
- Chesapeake Housing Mission: serves all disabilities and seniors by building ramps
- Delmarva Community Services: serves all disabilities and seniors
- Easterseals (Delaware & Maryland’s Eastern Shore): serves all disabilities and seniors
- Deaf Independent Living Associates: serves those who are Deaf/Hard of Hearing and helps agencies who want to make things more accessible for the HoH/Deaf community
- Benedictine School: a co-ed residential school caring for students with intellectual, developmental and or multiple disabilities from 5-21
- MAC Inc.: serves people with disabilities, caregivers and seniors
Transportation:
- Paratransit via Shoretransit: serves all disabilities and seniors
- Paratransit via Ocean City, MD: Ocean City Transportation offers Origin-to-Destination service to disabled residents and visitors. This service is available during the same operating days and hours as our fixed-route Coastal Highway bus service
- Wicomico County Medical Assistance Transportation: Maryland Medical Assistance Transportation Program provides rides to those who have active Medicaid and no other means of transportation available to medical appointments
Accessible Beaches:
- Assateague Island: “All visitor centers, most nature trails, bathhouses and wayside exhibits are accessible. The seashore has established two accessible campsites which may be reserved. Contact the Ranger Station at 410-641-3030 for campsite information.”
- Ocean City, MD: to view an entire listing of accessible beaches, please scroll down the listing. Beaches are marked with ‘yes’ and ‘no’ for access
Beach Wheelchair Information:
- Ocean City, MD – Beach Wheelchair Permit
- ADA – Town of Ocean City, Maryland: more info on beach wheelchairs and beach access for people with disabilities
- Sand Helper: available at Assateague, Ocean City, Fenwick, Bethany, Rehoboth, Lewes and Dewey. This is a motorized beach chair and is not free like the manual ones provided on the beach.
- Assateague: “Beach wheelchairs with balloon tires are available for use on the oceanside beaches in Maryland and Virginia. These beach wheelchairs are not self-propelled and need someone to push the chair. For more information please check at the Toms Cove Visitor Center in Virginia, (757-336-6577) or the Ranger Station in Maryland (410-641-3030).”
Accessible Running and Biking:
- Team 360: they host running events, so people with disabilities can participate in running events. It’s open to all disabilities.
Accessible Equestrian Riding and Therapy:
- 4Steps: serving people with disabilities of all ages. Click the site to learn more. To read an article to learn more, you can click here
Accessible State Parks:
- Maryland’s Universal Disability Pass: lifetime pass for a person with a disability and companion to have free entry to state parks
- Maryland Accessible Easy Nature Trails: information on accessible trails – including Assateague
Accessible Parks Playgrounds:
- Donnie Williams Inclusive Playground – Salisbury, Md.: first in Wicomico, very accessible and offer things such as adaptive sports
- Northside Park – Ocean City, Md.: the playground is accessible
Family and Children Resources:
- Lower Shore Child Care Resource Center: connects parents, caregivers, and families with resources for children 3 years and under
- Parents Place of Maryland: (helps families that are navigating IEPs, complex education systems, advocacy, etc)
- Md. Coalition for Inclusive Education: helps with families, advocacy, etc)
- PACER Center: helps with families, advocacy, etc
- American Council on Rural Special Education: focuses on enhancing the issues in rural communities and advocacy
ADA Information:
- Mid-Atlantic ADA Center: for our Maryland region
Respite Charities:
Caregiver Resources:
National Disability Orgs:
- National Organization on Disability: helps with hiring, training, etc.
- American Association of People with Disabilities: helps with jobs, advocacy, voter information, scholarships, etc
- NMD United: serves those with neuromuscular disabilities
Medicare and Medicaid Resources:
- cms.gov: official Government website
Employment Resources:
“Way2Work Maryland is a partnership between the University of Maryland’s Center for Transition and Career Innovation (CTCI) and DORS, the Division of Rehabilitation Services through the Maryland State Department of Education. It is a project designed to improve the academic and career success of students with disabilities in Maryland through work-based learning experiences. The project serves students with either an Individualized Education Program (IEP) or a 504 Plan who will complete high school with a diploma or certificate in 2019 or 2020.”
Youth Resources:
- Maryland Transitions: a website for Maryland youth transiting into adulthood with various resources
- Maryland Transitions Guide: this guide for youth with disabilities transiting into adulthood is translated in many languages
College Resources:
This waiver is available for Maryland residents who are receiving disability benefits from one of the following retirement systems:
- Social Security Administration: Supplemental Security Income (SSI) or Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI)
- Railroad Retirement Board
- A Federal Retirement/Pension System for former federal employees receiving total and permanent disability
The waiver covers up to 12 credit hours per term for courses designated as part of a degree or certificate program that leads to employment, and 6 credits if you are enrolled in credit courses for any other reason. Continuing education courses that lead to employment, including life skills instruction, are also eligible. A course must have space available with at least 10 regularly-enrolled students.
The tuition waiver covers tuition charges not covered by other financial assistance (last dollar funding after any grants and scholarships are applied). You are responsible for fees and the cost of books/supplies.
Click here for the link.
Local Committees:
Salisbury Disability Advisory Committee: click here for the link
Financial Assistance:
- findhelp.org: search for available resources in your area by zip code
Housing:
- MyHousingSearch.com: search for affordable housing; this website has options for each county in the state of Maryland
- Housing Rights for People with Disabilities: “People with disabilities who want to buy or rent a home are protected against discrimination by the federal Fair Housing Act. People with disabilities receiving assistance through government-operated housing programs are also protected under the Americans with Disabilities Act . Maryland also prohibits discrimination against people with disabilities in housing. See State Government Article 20-701- 20-710 and COMAR 14.03.04.01-16. Some local governments have also passed anti-discrimination laws; check with your local government.“
- HomeAbility: this is a special loan designed to assist Maryland homebuyers with disabilities to finance their home purchase
The Girl in The Pink Wheelchair 