Advocacy Days 2020

Due to growing concerns of COVID-19 and to keep our advocates' health and safety at the top of our minds, we have made the difficult decision to cancel our final Advocacy Day on March 18, 2020. This day will not be rescheduled due to logistical and calendar restraints.

Please review this guidance from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and Georgia Department of Public Health to keep yourself and your family safe and healthy.

Thank you for understanding,

Georgia Council on Developmental Disabilities

March 18 – School-to-Prison Pipeline (SToPP) – Advocate to keep African American Males in Special Education classes from being Pushed out of School and into the Criminal Justice System. CANCELLED

Join GCDD at the Capitol during the 2020 legislative session to learn about policies affecting people with disabilities and join advocates from across the state in speaking with elected officials about these very important issues. We need your help to educate Georgia’s lawmakers about topics important to our community. Join Us for Breakfast! We'll be offering breakfast at 8:30 AM again before the program starts at 9:00 AM, so don't be late!

What to Expect Each Advocacy Day: Each day kicks off at 8 AM at the Central Presbyterian Church, across from the Gold Dome, where leaders from GCDD and other organizations will train and teach advocates how to approach legislators, make a connection and discuss the topics that are important to you. After the interactive training, advocates and leaders will head over to the Gold Dome to meet with legislators. Event ends at 12:15 PM.

Typical Advocacy Day Agenda

8:15 AM – Kick off at the Central Presbyterian Church (across from the Georgia State Capitol) 201 Washington St SW, Atlanta, GA 30334
8:15 AM – 8:30 AM – Arrival & Registration
8:30 AM – Breakfast is served!
9:00 AM – 10:00 AM – Advocacy Day Orientation
10:00 AM – 10:15 AM – Walk over from the church to the Gold Dome (Georgia State Capitol)
10:15 AM – 12:15 PM – Visit with Legislators “at the Ropes”

Find Your Legislator: Your Georgia state representative and state senator represent your district in the Georgia General Assembly. Additionally, it's important to know what committees they sit on and what bills they have sponsored in the past. Find Your Senator and Representative Online using Open States

Team Lead Volunteer Training: Geared at preparing advocates to take a leadership role at GCDD’s Advocacy Days, Team Lead Volunteers will learn how to navigate the Georgia State Capitol and support attendees in speaking with their legislators. This is a great opportunity for anyone interested in honing their advocacy skills and supporting others to raise their voice! Interested? Visit our Team Lead Volunteer page.

FAQs

Are there ID requirements to enter the event?
Bring photo identification. You will need it to pass through security in the Capitol.

What are my transportation/parking options for getting to and from the event?

MARTA:
Take Blue line to Georgia State MARTA Transit station and use the MLK Jr. Drive exit. Head right on MLK Jr. Drive for 1.5 blocks. Central Presbyterian Church will be on the corner of MLK Jr. Drive and Washington Street.

Parking options:
The cost of parking varies depending on the lot but is at minimum $10 and can be up to approximately $20. To pay, you must have either the exact change or a credit/ debit card. Go to the link below to find the available parking options for the general public near the Gold Dome and the Central Presbyterian Church. There is not available parking at the church itself. https://gba.georgia.gov/general-public-parking

Capitol Lot Daily
218 Capitol Avenue, Atlanta, GA
Operated by Elite Parking.
Located on Capitol Avenue near the State Capitol.

Memorial Lot
Operated by Elite Parking.
80 Memorial Dr, S.W., Atlanta, GA
Located at the corner of Memorial Drive and Capitol Avenue.
No height restriction.

Pete Hackney
162 Jesse Hill Jr., Drive, Atlanta, GA
Operated by the Georgia Building Authority.
Located at the corner of Jesse Hill Jr. Drive and Decatur Street.
In lane pay stations accept credit cards only 6 AM-7 PM.
Maximum height: 8' 2".

Steve Polk Parking Lot
65 Martin Luther King, Jr. Drive, Atlanta, GA
Operated by Elite Parking.
Located near Underground Atlanta & Georgia Railroad Freight Depot.
No height restriction.

Where can I find a map of the area around the Gold Dome and Central Presbyterian Church?
http://www.parking.gba.ga.gov/t2/GBAParkingMap.pdf

What can I not bring into the event?
Weapons are not allowed in the State Capitol. Please leave all knives, guns and other such items at home.