GCDD - GEORGIA COUNCIL ON DEVELOPMENTAL DISABILITIES

Welcome to the Georgia Council on Developmental Disabilities

Our website offers you many opportunities to stay informed, connect with our network of friends and join our journey toward developing Real Communities.

Launched in 2010, the Real Communities Initiative is our award-winning signature concept that is receiving national attention for its innovation and diversity. Now called Real Communities Partnerships, they provide cutting edge, intentionally inclusive activities throughout the State with a focus on projects that create opportunities for all people – with and without disabilities – to work together as full partners in the social life and civic development of their communities.

We support grassroots efforts and community activities to promote inclusive neighborhoods throughout Georgia, where each person has the opportunity to contribute and experience Real Homes, Real Careers, Real Learning, Real Influence and Real Supports. At GCDD.org you'll find the latest on legislative updates and disability news, information on advocacy, and stay on top of trending topics and critical issues from the broader disability community via our online publications, Blog, photos, videos, tweets and Facebook posts.

We invite you to learn with us as we engage in the work of Real Communities to offer Georgians a sustainable model of community-centered individual and family support. We look forward to a robust dialogue about applying the principles of Real Communities wherever you go: using person-centered supports, community-centered connections and persistent and reflective learning. We hope you'll journey with us, purposefully involving people with and without intellectual and developmental disabilities in collaborative projects in your communities.

Our efforts are guided by a Five Year Strategic Plan focusing on:

• Researching, analyzing and changing public policy;
• Promoting advocacy on behalf of the developmental disabilities community;
• Creating awareness around relevant issues;
• Funding and implementing programs;
• Adopting best practices that enhance our ability to deliver better results.

While GCDD – a federally funded, independent state agency - does not provide direct services, we often act as a convener for agencies, organizations, individuals, family members and supporters to develop coordinated public policy. Through policy initiatives, public awareness, advocacy programs and community building, GCDD works to bring about social change for individuals and families living with intellectual and developmental disabilities in Georgia.