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GCDD 2019 Annual Report

Voting is one of our most important rights and civic duties as citizens living in a democracy. In Georgia, more than one million people have disabilities and approximately 652,000 are of voting age. GCDD educated voters with disabilities with an informative guide before the November 2018 midterm election. Check out why the disability vote counted.

In October, GCDD thanked Governor Deal on behalf of the all Georgians with developmental disabilities and their families for his support over the last eight years. He attended six Disability Day events at the Capitol and his heartfelt words brought hope and encouragement that Georgia can be a better place to live for all people. Read more about Governor Deal.

In November 2018, Georgia elected Brian Kemp as its new governor, succeeding Nathan Deal. GCDD requested individuals across the state submit ideas and issues that they’d like the new administration to work on that affect individuals with disabilities in letters or emails addressed “Dear Governor ...” Many responses were received and are included here.

Over 280 advocates attended GCDD’s Third Annual Advocacy Days in February and March during the Georgia General Assembly legislative session. Important topics covered were the DD Waiver waiting list, employment, inclusive post-secondary education, direct support professionals and home and community-based services. Read more about Advocacy Days here.

Launched in the summer of 2019, 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, this advocacy project features over 60 stories and an interactive map that shows the reach of the project. Read our stories.

In July 2019, GCDD unexpectedly said goodbye to an amazing, hard-working advocate for people with developmental disabilities. Dawn Alford, GCDD’s Public Policy Director, left a legacy on disability rights and established strong long-lasting relationships with legislators and people across the state. GCDD honored Dawn and her impact in photos and memories.

In 2019, GCDD continued to impact the State of Georgia in ways that benefit everyone. Initiatives included advocacy trainings to community building to educational programs. Check out our interactive map to see the locations of these initiatives, which GCDD supported through targeted funding and strategic collaboration.

Amount per year GCDD spends to support people with developmental disabilities in Georgia
(Period covered: Oct 1, 2018 - Sep 30, 2019)

GCDD continues to serve as an advocate for all persons with developmental disabilities. We are charged with creating systems change for people with developmental disabilities and their families by increasing opportunities for independence, inclusion, integration, productivity and self-determination. View our current Council here.

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© GCDD 2019 Annual Report • GCDD Office of Public Information 2 Peachtree Street NW, Suite 26-246, Atlanta, GA 30303-3142 • 404.657.2126 • emailProtector.addCloakedMailto("ep_beba4480", 1); Click here to download a pdf of the GCDD 2019 Annual Report

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GCDD 2020 Annual Report

Georgia kicked off the 2020 legislative session with a new public policy team – Dr. Alyssa Lee and Charlie Miller. The council approved changes which allowed GCDD to engage with legislators to ensure people with developmental disabilities are considered in ALL policy, focusing on Gracie’s law, DD Waivers, competitive employment and more. Read more here.

Over 650 disability advocates registered to attend the 2020 GCDD Advocacy Days at the Georgia State Capitol – making it the biggest series the DD Council has hosted since inception of the initiative. Four days focused on policies affecting people with disabilities and brought together advocates from across the state to speak with their elected officials.Read more here.

Ten years ago, GCDD’s Real Communities Partnerships began to partner with local groups that worked to support communities who welcomed all to the table and utilized everyone’s gifts and skills. The impact of this effort has expanded into Welcoming Community Dialogue groups who work towards a community that offers dignity and justice for all. Read more here.

The Georgia Developmental Disabilities Network was created to address issues and concerns related to COVID-19 through weekly forums that provide guidance and resources to the people with developmental disabilities across the state. GCDD’s web resource page includes regional, statewide, national and international information regarding the outbreak of COVID-19.

GCDD focused on the 2020 presidential election, which saw key national and state seats up for grabs. GCDD stressed the importance of the disability vote and offered information about accessibility, transportation and what to expect at the polls. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, this campaign season was unlike any in modern history. Read more here.

Across the state, students graduated from the nine inclusive post-secondary education (IPSE) programs across Georgia. Meet our grads as they celebrate this milestone by share their stories and their advice for incoming students or those considering attending an inclusive post-secondary education program. Read more about IPSE programs in Georgia here.

GCDD Legislative Advocacy Director Charlie Miller interviewed Mark Johnson, renowned disability advocate and former director of advocacy at the Shepherd Center, on what it was like to advocate for the Americans with Disabilities Act, what the future holds and his advice for young advocates. Watch the video or read the transcript here.

GCDD’s documentary film, 6,000 Waiting, tells the powerful stories of three Georgians with developmental disabilities impacted by the lack and complexity of state Medicaid waiver funding. With persistence, courage, and self-determination, they fight to access the resources they desperately need to live life on their own terms. Read more or watch the trailer here.

The Five Year Strategic Plan determines how GCDD will allocate funding to create systems change for people with developmental disabilities and family members through advocacy and capacity building. In August and September, GCDD hosted listening sessions and focus groups to learn what issues mattered to them to develop the 2022-2026 plan. See the feedback here.

In 2020, GCDD continued to impact the State of Georgia in ways that benefit everyone. Initiatives included advocacy trainings to community building to educational programs. Check out our interactive map to see the scope of these initiatives, which GCDD supported through targeted funding and strategic collaboration.

Amount per year GCDD spends to support people with developmental disabilities in Georgia
(Period covered: Oct 1, 2019 - Sep 30, 2020)

GCDD continues to serve as an advocate for all persons with developmental disabilities. We are charged with creating systems change for people with developmental disabilities and their families by increasing opportunities for independence, inclusion, integration, productivity and self-determination. View our current Council here.

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© GCDD 2020 Annual Report • GCDD Office of Public Information 2 Peachtree Street NW, Suite 26-246, Atlanta, GA 30303-3142 • 404.657.2126 • emailProtector.addCloakedMailto("ep_1a49cd7a", 1); Click here to download a pdf of the GCDD 2020 Annual Report

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Take Your Legislator to Work Day 2019 DIY (Do It Yourself)

Take Your Legislator to Work Day 2019 DIY (Do It Yourself)
Tap Into Your Self-Advocacy Power! October celebrates National Disability Employment Awareness Month (NDEAM), and this year, the theme is The Right Talent, Right Now. And what better way to bring that message home than to announce the return of GCDD's Take Your Legislator to Work Day! And this...

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