Eighth Annual Georgia Disability History Symposium to Focus on Georgia's Impact in the Disability Movement
Written by Tianna Faulkner on .
September 9, 2025 - (Atlanta, GA) – The Georgia Council on Developmental Disabilities (GCDD) in collaboration with The Richard B. Russell Library, the University of Georgia’s Institute on Human Development and Disability (IHDD), and the Georgia Disability History Alliance (GDHA) will celebrate the 8th annual Georgia History Disability Symposium, entitled “The Promise of IDEA at 50: Where Do We Go From Here?,” October 15, 2025 in Athens, Georgia.
Annually the event brings together disability advocates, scholars, researchers, archivists, public officials and organizations to highlight Georgia’s significant contributions to the disability rights movement and explore important topics in disability rights history. This year’s symposium will celebrate 50 years of the landmark Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA). IDEA, originally passed in 1975, transformed education by guaranteeing free, appropriate public education for children with disabilities.
The event will include a full day of presentations around inclusive education and transitioning into adulthood, including a presentation by this year’s keynote speaker Emmy award winning documentarians Dan and Samuel Habib, directors of “The Ride Ahead” and “My Disability Roadmap.” The symposium will bring together both emerging and established Georgians who have made important impacts around the state.
This is a free event, but registration is required. Lunch will be provided for participants attending in person, including vegan and vegetarian friendly, with gluten-free options; an allergen list will be made available. Breakfast will not be served at this year’s event. This year’s event is also hybrid for participants to engage online. The event will begin at 9:00am. The registration deadline is Friday, October 10, 2025. Communication access real-time translation (CART), audio description of print materials, and ASL will be provided. Parking is also available for off-campus visitors. Requests for additional accommodation or assistance must be received at least one week before the event. For more information or for questions, visit https://www.fcs.uga.edu/ihdd/2025-disability-symposium, contact or call 706-542-8719.
About the Georgia Council on Developmental Disabilities: GCDD’s mission is to bring about social and policy changes that promote opportunities for the wide spectrum of diverse Georgians with developmental disabilities and their families to live, learn, lead, work, play and worship in their communities.
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