Topics Archives - GCDD Making a Difference Magazine

Community Champions: Elite Squad Works to Change Perspectives on People with Disabilities

There are many aspects to consider when it comes to being a champion for the disability community, whether it is providing care and support, offering a social network, or strengthening the voices of people with disabilities. Elite Squad Inc., founded

Expert Update: Advancing Employment to End Subminimum Wages

In the life of a person with disabilities, few skills are as essential to success as the ability to advocate. One must learn to ask for basic needs and standards of care; in some cases, they must advocate for larger

Closing the Gap: How One Organization is Empowering Georgians with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities with Inclusive Technology

Mark Friedman, Ph. D., and Ruther-Marie Beckwith, Ph. D., of Blue Fire Inc., a grantee of the Georgia Council on Developmental Disabilities (GCDD), have recently done extensive research through the Georgia Technology White Paper with two objectives: to identify the

Georgia State University’s IDEAL Rewrites the Narrative of The College Experience

Established in 2016 at the Center for Leadership in Disability within Georgia State University’s (GSU) School of Public Health, the Inclusive Digital Expression and Literacy (IDEAL) program was founded to provide students with intellectual disabilities (ID) the same academic, social,

Advocacy in Georgia Heats Up in the Summer!

Uniting for Change self-advocates will continue their work during the summer months this year. Many will work hard to advocate for voting rights for the disability community in Georgia. Uniting for Change will also be represented throughout Georgia by getting

Election Season Officially Underway!

Hello Advocates! How in the world are you doing? We have officially celebrated our nation’s 248th birthday. The hamburgers are cooked, and fireworks have gone off, and now it is time to get ready to do one of the most

Viewpoint: The Olmstead Decision Celebrates 25th Anniversary

What were you doing in 1999? I graduated from high school. Interestingly, Georgia self-advocates Lois Curtis and Elaine Wilson were making history. You may or may not know their stories. Lois and Elaine both had disabilities. They spent years cycling

G is for Georgia - GCDD Virtual Road Tour

GCDD’s Equitable Dinners “A Seat at the Table” Event Provides a Transformative Conversation Around Equity, Disability and Support During the 2024 Legislative Session

The Georgia Council on Developmental Disabilities (GCDD) Equitable Dinner event, “A Seat at the Table: A Transformative Conversation Around Equity, Disability and Support” attracted capacity crowds for in-person and virtual sessions this past February. Presented by GCDD, Equitable Dinners, L’Arche

Advocacy Day at the State Capitol Brings IPSE Students to the Spotlight

On January 24, 2024, the Georgia Council on Developmental Disabilities (GCDD) hosted its annual Inclusive Post-Secondary Education (IPSE) Advocacy Day at the Georgia State Capitol. The event serves as an opportunity for students with intellectual disabilities (ID) to advocate to

The Importance of Self-Advocacy During the IEP Process

For children with disabilities, school can be a stressful and overwhelming time. The Georgia Council on Developmental Disabilities (GCDD) sat down with Leslie Lipson, an attorney and director of the Georgia Coalition for Equity in Education, to discuss how students,