As we look back on the year, we know that you and others are making communities better every day for people with developmental or intellectual disabilities (I/DD). So, GCDD decided to find out what’s working across Georgia in your town.

We used a survey to ask two questions:

1. What’s going well in your community?
2. How has it made the town better for people with I/DD and the local community?

In this article, read some of the stories that have been shared from across the state. And it’s not too late to share yours!

If you’d like to share your community’s story, complete this online form.  

Susannah Hooton
Self-advocate, Oakwood

I am a student at the University of North Georgia (UNG) in Gainesville and the founder and president of a UNG campus club called Accessibility Advocacy Group (AAG). Recently, AAG members planned, created, and opened a new sensory room. The room provides a calm, quiet, inclusive space for all students, especially students with disabilities or sensory sensitivities, to use on campus.

Brandy Locchetta
Faculty member at the University of West Georgia, Carrollton

Recently, through a generous donation from a community donor, the University of West Georgia's Department of Special Education launched The Inclusive Den. The Inclusive Den is a social gathering and peer group for young adults with and without disabilities in the West Georgia community. Each month, we engage in social outings as a group of 20 young adults (about 60% of whom have disabilities). So far, we've done Gilmore Girls trivia at Local Ties, and in October, we will be grabbing dinner at Chick-fil-A and then watching a movie.

The goal of The Inclusive Den is to provide young adults with disabilities opportunities to engage socially with their community in meaningful and fun ways. This program is different from many others because our priority is to engage in social events and outings that are for all young adults and not being "special" or "segregated" events.

We've had such a great time out in our community interacting with our neighbors and friends. The West Georgia community has been excited to welcome our big, energetic group of young people. We've shared smiles, laughs, and competitive stare-downs as we've made memories together. We are excited to continue sharing spaces and places with our neighbors and friends. Most importantly, these young adults with disabilities are having fun and making special memories. Without this program, they wouldn't get to do these activities with friends.

Too often, after aging out of the school system, these young people are left without opportunities to engage in the community and often become isolated and withdrawn. The Inclusive Den's mission is to remove the barriers that young adults with disabilities often experience and to promote social engagement. This is not just for young adults with disabilities, but also for our entire community.

Hailee Miller
Self-advocate, Norcross

This year, Just People is celebrating 30 years of serving adults with developmental disabilities across Metro Atlanta! Over the years, we’ve grown into a thriving community of more than 300 members who live, work, and play with independence and confidence.

Just People has helped make our community more inclusive, connected, and compassionate. We’ve shown what true community integration looks like by providing opportunities for adults with developmental disabilities to live independently, work locally, and participate in social and recreational activities.

Our members are not only supported — they’re active contributors to the places they live and work. Employers and neighbors see firsthand the value of inclusion and diversity, and how friendships naturally form through shared experiences.

Susan J Berch
Self-advocate, Atlanta

One thing I am very grateful for is that my synagogue, Congregation Bet Haverim, had a ramp installed at its building entrance this year. The ramp makes it much easier for members like myself and others who have issues walking up steps.

Laura Owens
Self-advocate, Athens

What I love about my community is that people notice when they don't see you at a place you are usually seen on certain days. Knowing that I have so many friends who care about me, no matter who I am, means a lot to me.

Corinne Smith
Parent of a son with I/DD, Hoschton

ESP Athens Miracle League had its first “Under The Lights” game, where the athletes were cheered on by the UGA baseball team! ESP Athens is an amazing resource in our community, celebrating people with all abilities and creating lasting memories for our families. We are grateful for ESP and all the amazing experiences it gives to our boys!

Wayne Stokes
Professional who works with people with I/DD, Atlanta

The Alumni Association of my high school, Southwest Atlanta High School, sponsors the AAA Readers Program for students in the Mays High School cluster. This includes Peyton Forest Elementary and West Manor Elementary Schools. I have participated as a reading volunteer at these schools to introduce students to new authors and great stories. We have also developed reading pen pals with other students across the country and around the world. I'm having the opportunity to guide young children on a reading journey through the stories we are reading and developing reading projects.

“What’s Happening in Your Town” features the perspectives of people with developmental disabilities about their own experiences in their communities. The column gives them a space to freely share their own opinions and their lived experiences with others. Interested in writing an article? Send an email to .

My name is Natasha Nelson, and I was born in 1989 as the oldest of seven children to Ruby Miller, a single mother living in Rome, Georgia. In kindergarten, I was evaluated and put in the gifted and talented program. But my childhood was a confusing, scary, and lonely time. 

I was a surrogate mother to my siblings while my mother worked to provide for all of us. I was surrounded by people but never understood. I read fiction to escape the reality of my own life. I did this so much that I would walk two miles to the library with all my siblings regularly. I would even walk while reading and sometimes fall into ditches!  

I was socially awkward and had different habits. For example, I sucked my fingers well into adulthood. Despite all this, I did not get a diagnosis until 2023. At that time, my children were diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) and were referred to the early intervention program at the SPARK Foundation for Research. It was then that I was blessed to be diagnosed with ASD, Attention-deficit Hyperactivity Disorder, Obsessive-compulsive Disorder, Generalized Anxiety Disorder, Sensory Processing Disorder, Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder, and Somatic Symptom Disorder. 

Today, I am a disability advocate. I am certified as a:

• Positive discipline educator in the home, classroom, and early childhood education center;
• Family support group facilitator for the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI); and
• Healthy Outcomes from Positive Experiences (HOPE) facilitator.

I currently serve as the Georgia ECHO Autism Stat Early Diagnostic Model Family Advocate. I am a highly decorated veteran and the mother to two autistic Black girls. I am also the founder and CEO of Supernova Parenting. 

Supernova Parenting is a national nonprofit based in Stone Mountain, Georgia. We support families of color who are raising children with intellectual and developmental disabilities (I/DD), mental health needs, or who are neurodivergent. Our goal is to help these families live better lives. We do that by providing education, easy-to-use resources, and strong support. We work for disability justice and fight against racism and ableism at home, in schools, and in the workplace. We believe all families deserve to feel included, respected, and supported. 

Through our innovative NEED System, we work to create a supportive, caring, empathetic, and respectful environment. Our approach has four parts:

• Networking with organizations and advocates; 
• Supporting caregivers of families of color. These families are navigating neurodivergence, intellectual and developmental disabilities, and mental health disorders. We help through both personal and policy advocacy; 
• Empathizing with caregivers' concerns across diverse cultures; and
• Educating through evidence-based information that uses diverse theories and personal stories. 

In 2022, I was chosen by the Autistic Self-Advocacy Network as its 2022 recipient of the Creating Community Together Award. I am a 2023-2024 Georgia Leadership Education in Neurodevelopmental and Related Disabilities program trainee graduate. Recently, the Association of University Centers on Disabilities chose me as one of their Emerging Leaders for 2024-2025. 

Finally, my family and I played a prominent role in the highly honored documentary "Navigating Autism in Communities of Color.” This documentary was produced and directed by the School of History and Sociology and the School of Literature Media and Communication at Georgia Tech, in collaboration with The Color of Autism Foundation. 

You can learn more about Supernova Parenting at https://supernovaparenting.org/. 

“What’s Happening in Your Town” features the perspectives of people with developmental disabilities about their own experiences in their communities. The column gives them a space to freely share their own opinions and their lived experiences with others. Interested in writing an article? Send an email to .

Hi, my name is Ben Oxley and I’m from McDonough, Georgia. When I was a kid, McDonough was a quiet little town, just 20 minutes south of the hustle and bustle of Atlanta. Older people and the generation of folks like me only knew it as a quiet little town where everyone knew everyone. You would find out about local news, like the opening of a new grocery store, just by talking with a friend at your favorite restaurant, as you enjoyed the signature weekly lunch special.

Then the community slowly realized that the small restaurants and other familiar places were disappearing, and that friends we once shared that lunch special with had moved on. Big chain stores like Walmart, Kroger, and Target replaced the spaces where those small businesses once stood. Traffic picked up and more housing was built. We realized those weekly down-home lunch specials were a thing of the past, as the big city moved closer to McDonough.

Growth is good for the overall infrastructure of the community because it brings more tax revenue. At the same time, it also makes those of us with disabilities feel left out. Many feel that they are not considered in the planning for this growth. There is no more talk of the great conversations we used to have when sharing lunch specials. Now many of us can only sit at home with a friend and remember where you used to go every Taco Tuesday to catch up on what’s happening. People with all types of abilities need to be a part of the conversations during this time of growth in our once small town.

So where do we start to become a part of that conversation? We come together to talk about the things that need to be done to include people with disabilities – to remind the city to always consider people first when building something new. And there is still work to be done within the areas that were built before the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). For example, we can start by making repairs to the beautiful McDonough Square. Those repairs should include making it accessible. We also need to advocate for accessible walkways, like installing ramps and repairing sidewalks. Changes like this will allow everyone to attend events with family and friends, such as the annual Geranium Festival held at the Square.

For me, I will continue to improve my skills as an advocate and put myself in a position to represent my town of McDonough and give a voice to the voiceless. For example, I am taking the things I learn from the guests I have on my podcast and share them with others. I’m taking every opportunity to serve in leadership roles of organizations. Right now, I’m on the board of directors for All Terrain Georgia to ensure that people with disabilities can feel the breeze when they hit the hiking trail for their first time – just like anyone else. And one day, I hope to be a national advocate to show the spirit of the great down-home lunch specials, and make sure the conversations never go away.

Working together should be at the forefront of what it means as a community to make a town for everyone to enjoy. When people with disabilities have a seat at the table, the impact goes far beyond warming the spirits of those around them. Instead, these conversations create lasting warmth and meaningful change that touches the soul of entire communities forever.

Zoe-Rebekah Bostic from Grovetown, GA Speaks about Her Goals and How She is Engaged in Her Community

My name is Zoe-Rebekah Bostic, and I am an Autism Champion. I am more than my disability. I am a student, daughter, sister, content creator, cheerleader, soon-to-be published author, and a dedicated member of my community. I want to remind readers that you can do it. Don’t let anyone tell you that you’re not good enough. People with disabilities matter, we have a voice in this world, and we have the power to make a difference.

I am still in high school and will graduate in May 2027 and I'm really excited about it. After high school, I plan on attending one of Georgia’s Inclusive Post Secondary Education (IPSE) programs. I want to explore other IPSE programs before making my final decision. So far, I’ve visited the University of Georgia’s (UGA) Destination Dawgs IPSE Program and three other IPSE programs to learn more about their programs to see if they’re a good fit for me. My mom and I plan to visit more colleges to find the best option for me. My goal is to be a teacher. I hope to become a Special Education teacher, just like my favorite teacher, Mrs. Hinds.

I am demonstrating independence and self-advocacy in my life today. I make my own decisions about what’s best for me, such as choosing where I want to go to college and what I want to study. I also choose what type of activities I want to participate in. I also talk to other students about supported decision-making and the importance of using their voices. I also volunteer and participate in school activities to show others that they can achieve their goals while also working to make the world a more inclusive place. 

Additionally, I am an active member of my community. I volunteer with Lasagna Love, where I make lasagna for families each month. I also serve as an usher and participate in the Women’s Ministry at my church. At school, I’m involved in the Buddy Club and Student Council as a youth advocate. As a content creator, I share my personal story to inspire others and show them that they can achieve anything they set their minds to.

My goals and dreams include learning how to drive so I can drive independently to school. I also plan to go to college to become a teacher, get married, and have children. I hope to live next door to my mom so she can help watch my children when I go to work, and we can still spend time together because we’re best friends.

Hobbies and awards I have recently been recognized for include learning how to sew. I also have a passion for drawing and dancing and enjoy cheerleading, bowling, and solving my Rubik’s Cube. I am part of a competitive cheer squad, and we are national champions. I am also a cheerleader for my school football team and a Special Olympics athlete. In my spare time, I compete in pageants to inspire others who are like me. I am proud to have been named 4-H Volunteer of the Year for two years in a row. I love helping others and advocating for a world where all abilities are celebrated and making the world more inclusive.

In addition to my family, the people who support me in my community include my Cheerleading “Squad,” which includes my school supporters, IEP team, teachers, tutor, and therapists – my private speech and occupational therapist. They help me work toward my academic and independent living goals. I have an incredible team of medical doctors who support me and ensure I receive the best medical care. I cannot forget about my dentist and her team. They are the best and they keep my teeth pearly white. I also have an amazing team at my local YMCA who support my physical goals and are teaching me how to swim. My church family plays a big role in my spiritual growth, and my cheer sisters help me learn teamwork.

Follow me on Instagram to see what I am up to at @zoetheautismdiva.

“What’s Happening in Your Town” features the perspectives of people with developmental disabilities about their own experiences in their communities. The column gives them a space to freely share their own opinions and their lived experiences with others. Interested in writing an article? Send an email to .

My name is Leslie Kate Thornton. I'm from Saint Mary's, Georgia, near the Georgia/Florida state line. Beautiful coastal landscapes and a strong sense of community are all around me. Living near Florida allows me to experience the best of both states, from the charming southern hospitality of Georgia to the vibrant culture and beaches of Florida. I have always been passionate about community engagement and assisting individuals to make a positive impact. Throughout my career, I have worked with various organizations and initiatives that aim to create meaningful change. I am excited to share my experiences and insights with you. I want to inspire others to act in their communities.

One of the most significant barriers is education. Professionals think they have all the education they need to know about what I am incapable of. I have realized through my experience that it seems these professionals are trained to deal with non-disabled people, and that customization and fairness are such foreign concepts to many educators that it seems incomprehensible to them.

My goal in life goal is to let people know they are wonderfully made, loved, and have a purpose. Additionally, my goal is to ensure that everyone, regardless of physical or mental abilities, is afforded the same opportunities to live their best life. I’m passionate about people with disabilities having real lives, jobs, genuine relationships, and making real decisions. A key aspiration of mine is to introduce viable and accessible services to southeast Georgia, enriching the lives of individuals in our community. We have a rather large community of people with disabilities without access to services. I want to break the graduation-to-couch cycle. I believe that everyone deserves the chance to thrive and contribute to society in meaningful ways.

By providing accessible services in southeast Georgia, we can help individuals with disabilities to live fulfilling and independent lives, breaking the cycle of limited opportunities and dependence. As someone who represents myself and my community, I am steadfast in my commitment to fostering an environment that includes and is more supportive for individuals with disabilities. By coming together through collaboration, encouragement, and support, we can strive to build a society that is fair where everyone can achieve their full potential. With conviction, I believe southeast Georgia has the potential to become a model that includes and gives everybody access, inspiring other Georgia communities to follow suit.

Together, let's remove barriers and promote understanding to create a more welcoming and supportive environment for all individuals to thrive. While this community has many proactive individuals, raising awareness remains a significant challenge that we must address. Let's work to increase awareness and education about the needs and abilities of individuals with disabilities to assist our community to make meaningful changes that benefit everyone. Additionally, providing resources and support for individuals with disabilities can help ensure that they have equal opportunities to participate fully in community life. Together, let's work to foster a culture of acceptance and including everyone to build a stronger, more cohesive community that values and embraces all its members.

Thank you for taking the time to read about my passion for including and ensuring everyone in southeast Georgia has access. I hope to set a new standard for fairness that includes everyone in our community.