Topics Archives - Page 15 of 16 - GCDD Making a Difference Magazine

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The Arc Georgia Celebrates the Completion of the Tomorrow’s Leaders Pilot Program

It’s almost spring, and Martha Haythorn is trying to decide where to go to school. She’s already been accepted to Georgia Tech, but she’s waiting to hear back from Clemson University before making her decision. “I am graduating and going

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Real Communities Celebrates 10 Year Anniversary

Ten years ago, the Georgia Council on Developmental Disabilities’ (GCDD) Real Communities Partnerships began with a goal to partner with local groups that worked to support communities who welcomed all to the table and recognized and utilized everyone’s gifts and

Photo of the White House with sky blue background. Spring 2020.

What’s Happening in Washington? Federal Disability Policy Updates

It’s been another busy few months on the federal policy front, both with ongoing fights against harmful policies but also opportunities to advance disability priorities, and we have more recently been actively involved in the response to the COVID-19 pandemic.

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Parents Navigate Georgia’s K–12 Education Supports: IDEA, IEPs and Students’ Rights

Viviana Fernandez purchased a home in Snellville when her son, Cameron, was entering the first grade. Shortly after enrolling him at Britt Elementary, she received a call advising that he be moved to a separate school for kids with disabilities.

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The Accessibility of the New Voting Machines

From the initial fact-finding process to the end result, leaders in the disability community are giving a big thumbs-down to the new Georgia voting booths as election season is here. While the Georgia primary election has been rescheduled to June

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2020 Legislative Session Recap

This has been one of the most interesting legislative sessions we have seen in modern times. Between Governor Brian Kemp’s first installment of recommended budget cuts and the threat of COVID-19, the Georgia Council on Developmental Disabilities (GCDD) has been

Picture of Eric Jacobson for Spring Viewpoint Issue

KEEP MOVING FORWARD

At the time of this writing, the world has come to a standstill because of COVID-19. Over 10,000 Americans have lost their lives to this illness, and hundreds of thousands are sick. People with disabilities who experience health-related issues such as heart, lung or kidney disease need to take extra precautions because they may be at increased risk of contracting COVID-19 and subsequently falling ill.

Telling Our Stories

GCDD’s Storytelling Project paints a picture of the complex systems of support that enable people with developmental disabilities to live their best lives. Spanning Georgia’s 56 state senate districts, these stories feature at least one individual who resides in each

Photo of Todd and Alan Schatten caring for a horse.

The Boys

Everyone in their family, and most other people who know them, refer to Todd and Alan Schatten as “The Boys.” With an easy smile and an even easier manner, they are two of the nicest men you will ever meet.

Caucasian man holding a younger caucasian girl in his arms.

Communicating with People First

People First Language (PFL) is a way of communicating that reflects knowledge and respect for people with disabilities by choosing words that recognize the person first and foremost as the primary reference and not his or her disability Geared towards