Strength of a Community
Current Feature Stories
GCDD Helps Those with Disabilities Realize the Importance of Self-Advocacy
The State of Georgia kicked off its legislative session in January, and the Georgia Council on De...
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Summer Fun! Camps Rise to the Occasion with Inclusive Summer Programs
For most kids, summer is one of the most wonderful times of the year. And one thing that makes it...
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Topics
Viewpoint: Our Advocacy is Growing and Making a Difference
By D'Arcy Robb
April 16, 2024
As I sit down to write this, I’m feeling raw. We just wrapped up Georgia’s General Assembly session, and it was a real mix of wins and losses. Win – the developmental disability (DD) rate study. All summer, fall, and
Viewpoint: Gaining Momentum
By D'Arcy Robb
January 8, 2024
At the Georgia Council on Developmental Disabilities (GCDD), we are always driven by our overarching values, and specifically by our public policy agenda. As we gear up to head into another legislative session in 2024, I want to take time
Viewpoint: A Golden Opportunity to Build Georgia’s Workforce and Economy
By D'Arcy Robb
October 4, 2023
I was one of those college students who had no idea what I wanted to be when I grew up. So, after graduation day, I worked a variety of different jobs. I was a childcare worker at a provider agency working with troubled youth. I worked on a political campaign, then did public relations for a community recreation center, then was a television producer. Meanwhile, in my down time I developed a mild obsession with purpose-driven career development. I can’t tell you how many times I took aptitude tests and re-read “What Color is Your Parachute?”
Advocacy Day at the State Capitol Brings IPSE Students to the Spotlight
By Jacob Segura
April 16, 2024
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
Georgia Tech Program Prepares Students to EXCEL at Work
By Jacob Segura
January 8, 2024
Navigating the world of employment after school is often daunting, and for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities (I/DD), this is particularly true. An inclusive post-secondary education (IPSE) program at Georgia Institute of Technology is striving to provide students with
EAGLE Academy Allows Students with Intellectual Disabilities to Soar
By Mara Waldruff and Wes Nelson
October 9, 2023
The EAGLE Academy is a two-year program within Georgia Southern University that provides individuals with intellectual disabilities a chance to gain independence, skills, knowledge and confidence alongside students who do not have intellectual disabilities. The program currently focuses on years three and four of the college experience, meaning the students have either attended other post-secondary programs for one to two years, worked previously, or have been out of high school for a couple of years.
Self-Advocates Speak at the Capitol During GCDD’s Legislative Advocacy Days
By Uniting for Change Collective Leadership Team
April 16, 2024
The Georgia Council on Developmental Disabilities (GCDD) hosted its annual Advocacy Days at the Capitol during the 2024 legislative session, which began in January. Using the power of self-advocates from Uniting for Change, GCDD was able to educate and inform
Uniting for Change Prepares to Advocate for Change in 2024
By Uniting for Change Collective Leadership Team
January 8, 2024
In November, Uniting for Change held a State and Area Leadership Collective retreat in Macon with 80 people attending. During this retreat, we set priorities for 2024 within each workgroup of the four Local Area Networks, and as the Statewide
Georgia Self-Advocates – How We Contribute
By Uniting for Change Collective Leadership Team
September 29, 2023
Self-advocates across Georgia work and contribute to their communities as individual citizens and as members of the growing self-advocacy network, Uniting for Change. When we focus on how everyone has something to contribute, we find ways for people to find and share their gifts and talents.
Nothing About Us Without Us: A Recap of Georgia’s 2024 Legislative Session
By Ryan Shindler
April 16, 2024
The Georgia Council on Developmental Disabilities’ (GCDD) public policy team has made tireless efforts to foster new relationships and educate legislators on the need for policy change that promotes opportunities for Georgians with developmental disabilities (DD) to live, learn, work,
Public Policy for The People: GCDD’s Vision for Georgia’s Disability Community in the 2024 Legislative Session
By Charlotte Densmore
January 8, 2024
Hello! My name is Charlotte Densmore. I joined the Georgia Council on Developmental Disabilities (GCDD) as the Public Policy Director in August 2023. My involvement in disability advocacy originated from my work as a mentor with the EXCEL (Expanding Career,
Public Policy for The People: The Next Legislative Session is Almost Here!
By Charlie Miller
October 9, 2023
Fall is in the air, the leaves are changing, holidays are right around the corner and my favorite time of the year is almost here. That's right, the legislative session! From the second week of January to mid-March or later in the spring, Georgia State legislators come together at the state capitol, or what we like to call “the Gold Dome,” to work on the state budget for the upcoming year, and pass laws that affect Georgians like you and me.
Telehealth Survey Reveals Improvement Measures Needed for Georgia’s Disability Community to Access Health Care Services
By Jacob Segura
January 8, 2024
With the expansion of telehealth and similar methods of virtual care, many people, particularly people with disabilities, may have questions about the efficacy and availability of telehealth. A study at the Morehouse School of Medicine’s (MSM) National Center of Primary
Emergency Preparedness Grant Supports Listening Sessions Across Georgia
By Mara Waldruff
September 28, 2023
Life can change in an instant. From a loved one falling ill, to a natural disaster in your hometown, to a pandemic shutting down the world, emergencies can strike any time, any place and anyone. And, when it comes to people with disabilities, medical, situational and mental health emergencies can be even more critical and difficult to navigate. For example, a person who uses a wheelchair is more likely to experience a crisis if a building’s elevator breaks down, such as Naomi Williams’ son, Noah, who uses a wheelchair. He also has significant medical needs and requires full-time support, so a broken elevator can cause a dangerous situation for him and his caregivers.
WheelChariot Strives to Improve Businesses’ Accessibility and Services
By Gunter Schroeder
July 12, 2023
With the rise of online reviews through websites like Yelp! and Google, WheelChariot, an online platform based in Atlanta, Georgia is getting in on the trend to help the disability community by providing business reviews based on accessibility.
The Importance of Self-Advocacy During the IEP Process
By Jacob Segura
April 16, 2024
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,
Expert Update: In Their Own Words
By GCDD
January 8, 2024
As the Georgia Council on Developmental Disabilities (GCDD) gets ready to advocate at the 2024 Legislative Session, we wanted to share the expertise of the people with developmental disabilities across Georgia on what they have and what they need to
Expert Update: Untapped Pool of Talent
By Jacob Segura
October 4, 2023
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.
Building an Advocacy Network
By Mara Waldruff
July 12, 2023
“There is such beautiful potential,” said Teresa Heard as she looked proudly at her son, Derek Heard. Teresa had recently helped Derek start his own graphic design business. “It's just getting the doors open to get people to realize a person's potential,” she added.
Practical Examples of Supported Decision-Making
By GCDD and John McCarty & Hannah Hibben
April 17, 2023
Supported decision-making (SDM) is a tool that allows people with disabilities to retain their decision-making capacity by choosing supporters to help them make choices. A person using SDM selects trusted advisors, such as friends, family members, or professionals, to serve as supporters. Self-advocates John McCarty and Hannah Hibben share their experience of how Supported Decision Making impacts their life and why it's important.
A Greater Sense of Independence
By Adrianne Murchison
January 9, 2022
Living Independently is an article series by the Georgia Council on Developmental Disabilities (GCDD). The series will cover self-determination and self-direction. Participant self-directed services are growing in popularity as an avenue that can offer an increased autonomy for some individuals
A Desire for Independence
By Adrianne Murchison
October 13, 2021
Living Independently is an article series by the Georgia Council on Developmental Disabilities (GCDD). The series will cover self-determination and self-direction. Jenny Pryor lives an active life working in a Kroger supermarket, hiking on her off days or sometimes catching