Press Releases

Georgia Council on Developmental Disabilities to Provide More Insight on Federal Disability Policies

September 12, 2018 (Atlanta, GA) – Advocates across the country worked diligently to prevent the federal government’s attempts to significantly cut or restructure Medicaid. Information about the cuts and caps to Medicaid were prevalent thanks to traditional and social media coverage; however, with many other federal policies that isn’t the case.

To increase the flow of information about federal disability policies, the Georgia Council on Developmental Disabilities (GCDD) has tapped Alison Barkoff, Director of Advocacy for the Center for Public Representation (CPR), to pen a new column in their quarterly magazine, Making a Difference.

Barkoff’s “What’s Happening in Washington?” will provide insight on the many federal policies that impact the lives of people with disabilities – including over one million Georgians – like congressional bills and federal agency actions and will also cover topics like Medicaid, the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), home and community-based services (HCBS), Employment First and other support programs.

“I hope this column will be a way for me to share this information with Georgia’s statewide disability community,” she said. “As the sister of a self-advocate, who serves on the [GCDD] Council, I always want to support him and my family in finding ways to impact the important policies that effect our lives.”

Barkoff is the sister of GCDD Council member and self-advocate Evan Nodvin, who has Down syndrome.

Working out of CPR’s Washington, DC office, Barkoff works on policy and litigation related to community integration and inclusion, including Olmstead, Medicaid, employment, housing and education.

She was appointed to serve on the federal Advisory Committee for Competitive Integrated Employment of People with Disabilities and is a co-chair of the Long-Term Services and Supports Task Force of the Consortium of Citizens with Disabilities (CCD).

Read the latest column that appeared in the Summer 2018 issue of GCDD's Making a Difference magazine.

About the Center for Public Representation: The Center for Public Representation (CPR) is dedicated to enforcing and expanding the rights of people with disabilities and others who are in segregated settings. CPR uses legal strategies, advocacy, and policy to design and implement systemic reform initiatives to promote their integration and full community participation. Working on state, national and international levels, CPR is committed to equality, diversity and social justice in all its activities. https://centerforpublicrep.org/

About the Georgia Council on Developmental Disabilities: The Georgia Council on Developmental Disabilities (GCDD) is the State's leader in advancing public policy on behalf of persons with developmental disabilities. Its mission is to bring about social and policy changes that promote opportunities for persons with developmental disabilities and their families to live, learn, work, play and worship in Georgia communities. www.gcdd.org

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Hillary Hibben, Media Relations Director
Georgia Council on Developmental Disabilities
404.657.2121 (office) | 470.698.3062 (cell)