Summer 2014: Around GCDD

GCDD Welcomes Jhai James to Team

Jhai James joined the Georgia Council on Developmental Disabilities (GCDD) staff in May as the public information program associate and social media coordinator. She works closely with Public Information Director and Editor-in-Chief of Making a Difference Valerie Meadows Suber to implement all aspects of the GCDD public information and public relations programs. James is a Georgia native and graduate of Columbus State University, where she was recently employed to coordinate all aspects of social media for the division of Continuing Education. She is pleased and greatly honored to be involved with an organization that works to bring about social change for individuals and families living with intellectual and developmental disabilities in Georgia.

"Since becoming a member of the GCDD team, I have learned so much about commitment, strength and perseverance while developing a passion that grows more deeply rooted each day for our community," James said. "I am thrilled to be in a position to contribute to the Council's ongoing growth and success."

James started her professional career working in broadcast production with WRBL-TV, a CBS network affiliate in Columbus, GA. She has held positions with Amaryllis Productions, a theatrical company based in New York, NY; Harpo Studios in Chicago; and Tribune, Inc. in Orlando, FL. James also worked as a communications specialist with Georgia Council for the Arts where she managed website development, coordinated social media strategy and wrote a variety of materials.

Caitlin Childs Speaks on Panel on Disability Justice

On Saturday, May 3, Real Communities Organizing Director Caitlin Childs represented GCDD at The Special Education Assembly: a disability justice dialogue at Community Grounds Café in Atlanta. Childs spoke about Real Communities and its efforts in the community as a disability justice initiative; how disability rights and disability justice are intertwined with civil rights; and the connection between special education and disability justice. The panel also consisted of Candall Heard for All About Developmental Disabilities, Sukie Glick from disABILITY LINK, Talley Wells from Atlanta Legal Aid and David Payne of the Restorative Justice Project.

Tags: Making a Difference, Around GCDD