On A Personal Note

On October 16, 1992, I began working at what was then called the Governor’s Council on Developmental Disabilities. Since then, I have had the honor and privilege of meeting people with developmental disabilities and their families all over this state.

What’s Happening in Washington?

As we round out the end of the fiscal year, action in the nation’s capital is both frenetic and action-packed. Congress is super-focused on passing a historic multi-trillion-dollar reconciliation bill that includes major investments in COVID recovery, infrastructure development, and

Preparing for the 2022 Legislative Session

Georgia’s hot and sticky summer is finally coming to a close. The leaves are changing, the weather is starting to get that nice cool and crisp feeling, and now it’s time to get ready for fall. Here at the Georgia

Making Competitive, Integrated Employment a Reality

The true goal is to make sure that we are moving the needle on competitive, integrated employment (CIE). When we talk about CIE we are talking about an individual with a disability who is working for an employer where they

My Journey to One of My Dreams

Uniting for Change is a grassroots network of self-advocates that is growing the self-advocacy movement in Georgia. Along with family members, allies and supporters, self-advocates work on “uniting Georgians and influencing change by speaking up and taking control of our

The Blossoming of Real Communities

When a Georgia Council on Developmental Disabilities (GCDD) initiative ends, the celebration continues. The work has planted a seed, sown results, and now all can watch the fruits and impact of the initiative multiply as time goes on. So it

Treasure Maps: The Georgia Storytelling Roadshow

Telling Their Own Stories

Treasure Maps showcased the stories of 10 people from across the state with developmental disabilities. The stories are expressions of the storytellers themselves. They chose the stories they wanted to tell, what was most important to them as individuals, as

Students Soar at the EAGLE Academy at Georgia Southern

For his first year of college last fall, Max Champion took half his classes online. This semester, he’s happy to be taking them all in person. Champion, 20, is a student at the Equal Access to Gainful Learning and Employment

Model of Hope

“I’m ready to tell my story! Have you seen any of my movies?” This is how Eric Naindouba, a soon-to-be 14-year-old with cerebral palsy greets us as we meet for the first time in a local McDonald’s. Eric is with

Welcoming Community Movement Adds Think Tank Partner to Coaching Group

TeMaya Eatmon has been chosen as the Think Tank Partner for the Georgia Council on Developmental Disabilities (GCDD) initiative the Welcoming Community Movement (WCM), overseen by Global Ubuntu. Eatmon joins other leaders who are coaching those participating in the WCM