Expert Update Archives - GCDD Making a Difference Magazine

Expert Update: Untapped Pool of Talent

The Georgia Council on Developmental Disabilities (GCDD) interviewed Emily Myers, region director at Briggs & Associates, a supported employment company that assists people with disabilities with finding employment. We spoke about the state of work for people with disabilities, unemployment among people with disabilities, and what Briggs & Associates does to help individuals find meaningful and accommodating jobs and careers.

disABILITY LINK’s Impact and Strong Links to the Disability Community in Metro Atlanta

disABILITY LINK is a nonprofit organization in Tucker, Georgia that supports Georgians with disabilities by providing five core services of advocacy, information referral, peer support, independent living skills training and transition services. disABILITY LINK has worked under its current name since 2008, providing services and opportunities to those with disabilities in 12 Georgia counties. However, disABILITY LINK’s organizational makeup is something that makes them truly unique.

Parent 2 Parent of Georgia Empowers Parents & Families

In this issue of Making a Difference, Karen Addams, Vice President of Innovation at Parent 2 Parent — an Atlanta-based nonprofit that provides resource navigation and training for people with disabilities and their families — discusses the many services that help educate the community and promote self-sufficiency. Continue reading to learn more about the organization and its impact.

Georgia’s Leadership Education in Neurodevelopmental Disabilities

Mark Crenshaw is the Assistant Director of the Center for Leadership in Disability (CLD) at Georgia State University and the Training Director for Georgia’s Leadership Education in Neurodevelopmental Disabilities (GaLEND) program. The LEND program was originally established 50 years ago

Sustainable Business Models Create Opportunities for Businesses and Employees with Developmental Disabilities

Featuring Jennifer White When people think of a person with a disability, often they do not think that person is able to work or employable. One woman is using her passion and talents to help people with disabilities excel in

Back-to-School Tips from a Parent Mentor

Cheryl Grant has been working with parents of students with developmental disabilities since 2008 when she became a Parent Mentor in Decatur City Schools. Primarily connecting parents with resources in the school and the community, Cheryl also provides parent training

Advocating Beyond Legislative Session: Building Avenues for Change

Featuring Shelley Spivey Being an active advocate isn’t just about protesting, working on legislation, or contacting your representative. It starts small in moments and opportunities that reveal themselves to you daily. It’s about having meaningful, connected conversations with the people

How to Fully Fund the NOW/COMP Waivers Waiting List over the Next Five Years

Featuring Georgia Senator Sally Harrell The Georgia Council on Developmental Disabilities recently sat down with Senator Sally Harrell (D-40) to discuss Senate Bill 208 that proposes to fully fund the NOW/COMP Waivers waiting list which is currently over 7,000+. As

Making Competitive, Integrated Employment a Reality

GCDD interviewed Amy Gonzalez, Project Manager for the Administration on Disabilities (AoD) Disability Employment Technical Assistance, to discuss the ways competitive, integrated employment is becoming a reality for people with disabilities across the country, why employers need to get on

Going Back to School

For students with intellectual/developmental disabilities (I/DD), I don’t think we’ll be able to find many students that haven’t typically had some negative impact around their education for the past two years during the COVID-19 disruptions. For many students, especially if