Viewpoint: Be Inspired
Dear Readers,
The summer is a good time for taking in the arts, whether in Georgia or wherever you may choose to vacation. This edition of Making a Difference will explore various forms of artistic expression by people with and without disabilities. For many of us, our talents and desires draw us to the arts such as painting, photography, theatre, creating jewelry, music, drama and dance.
In addition to the entertainment and esthetic values, we take a look at how Georgians are discovering that the arts are an excellent catalyst for building community and creating social change. Social change was celebrated by the disability community on June 23, at the Carter Center as we marked the 15th anniversary of the US Supreme Court Olmstead decision, the landmark legislation which originated in Georgia and forever impacted disability rights in America. We heard from speakers and panelists such as Talley Wells of the Atlanta Legal Aid Society, Eve Hill of the US Department of Justice and Georgia Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Disabilities Commissioner, Frank Berry, as well as Olmstead plaintiff, Lois Curtis.
Inside this edition of our magazine, you can find the fourth installment of Talley's series on the Olmstead decision, Eve's Expert Update on the US Department of Justice Settlement Agreement with the State of Georgia, the beautiful folk art of Lois and a reprint of the poem, "Lois and Elaine" by Gail Bottoms, former People First of Georgia president and former member of GCDD.
Finally, many of us have been excited by the opening of the National Center for Civil and Human Rights in Atlanta last month. The New York Times called the opening of the Center "the main event" when it crowned Downtown Atlanta as one of "52 Places to Go in 2014." Atlanta has always been designated as the center for so much of the civil rights activities in the United States.
Now we have a place to tell the many stories about people who have struggled for basic civil and human rights including people with disabilities. The Center will house exhibits that reflect the years and hard won battles of the Americans with Disabilities Act and the United Nations Convention on the Rights of People with Disabilities. Beginning with the cover photo of this magazine, we take an in-depth look at how the Center is including people with disabilities in its exhibits and message.
Do not sit around and waste your summer. Get out and be a part of the many exciting things happening throughout our State. We hope you enjoy reading this magazine and we want to hear from you. Let us know your thoughts and connections to the civil rights movement by writing to our editor .
Eric Jacobson
Executive Director, GCDD
Tags: GCDD, Making a Difference