It doesn’t take 20/20 vision to recognize that things cost money. As the State of Maryland prepares for its next fiscal year, which may include less federal funds, its government looks to cut costs — as well as raise taxes. Maryland House Bill 352 looks to add, among other things, a 75-cent delivery fee to most retail goods.

As a blind Marylander, the eruption of delivery services after the pandemic has been an incredible improvement to the quality of my life. My eyesight, courtesy of childhood cancer and macular degeneration, prevents me from being able to operate a motor vehicle on Maryland’s roads. This is a rule I find perfectly fair. You don’t want me behind the wheel of a bumper car, let alone a four-door sedan. But with the advent of all these delivery services, I feel a small level of independence has been granted to me. I no longer need to ask a friend to pick me up something after work or coordinate a store trip with a family member. All I need to do is click a few buttons on a screen. And like magic, my goods are on my doorstep.

There are over 100,000 other blind Marylanders in a similar situation as I am. We rely on these deliveries for essential goods in our households. And it’s not just those with visual impairments. Residents with a variety of disabilities, physical, sensory and cognitive, have been able to thrive with these services. Now, Maryland wants to charge me more for my independence.

Gov. Wes Moore’s election website highlights the needs of Maryland residents with disabilities, as well as steps his administration plans to take in order to help not only us, but Maryland’s economy as a whole, prosper. It emphasizes that the nearly 670,000 Marylanders with disabilities are more likely to live in poverty or be unemployed.

I believe this new fee, inadvertently, does the complete opposite of helping us prosper. Marylanders with disabilities will end up paying this fee more often. Not out of convenience, but rather, out of need.

It’s important to recognize that a delivery fee isn’t the only area where Marylanders with disabilities face higher costs. Living with a disability often means spending more money on everyday necessities that others might take for granted. From transportation to health care, and from adaptive equipment to accessible housing, the financial burden is real and significant.

Transportation remains a major expense. For those who cannot drive, like myself, rideshare services, paratransit and taxis become essential but costly alternatives. Public transportation, while available, doesn’t always provide the flexibility or accessibility needed for day-to-day errands. Adding a delivery fee only increases these transportation-related expenses.

Accessible technology and adaptive equipment come with steep price tags. From screen readers for the visually impaired to specialized keyboards and wheelchairs, these essential tools can cost hundreds or even thousands of dollars. Insurance often doesn’t cover these items, making them out-of-pocket expenses for many.

Health care expenses are also higher. Regular medical appointments, therapies and medications quickly add up. For those with disabilities, these are not optional costs — they are crucial for maintaining health and independence.

Even housing presents extra challenges. Accessible housing options are limited and often come at a premium. Renovations to make a home wheelchair-accessible or safe for someone with a visual impairment can be expensive. All these factors contribute to why people with disabilities are more likely to face financial hardship.

When Maryland proposes a fee on delivery services, it adds to an already lengthy list of extra costs that disproportionately affect those with disabilities. This isn’t just an inconvenience — it’s a barrier to independence.

I understand the need for Maryland to maintain a balanced budget for the infrastructure, services and protections we all share. But that balanced budget should be built on taxation that is as fair as possible. This new fee isn’t fair.

For someone like me, who can’t drive to the store because I had cancer, Maryland is effectively asking me to pay more for my independence. And that is a price no one should be forced to pay.

Andrew Lingelbach lives in Baltimore County and is vice president of the South Perry Hall Boulevard Improvement Association.