Accessible Audio for Making A Difference

I always look forward to Spring – crisp morning air, blooming flowers, warmer-but-not-yet-hot weather, opportunities to renew and refresh, and the hope and plans that come when seasons change.  For GCDD, we are moving forward with purpose to approve our next five-year strategic plan that will carry us from 2027–2031. We completed the information-gathering phase, which included focus groups, town h...

The Georgia Council on Developmental Disabilities (GCDD) completed its information gathering process for the 2027-2031 Five-Year Strategic Plan. The feedback collected from across the state helped build a new strategic plan aimed at creating systems change for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities (I/DD) and their families. The final plan decides how GCDD will spend funding on ad...

As Georgia prepares for the 2026 election cycle, one message remains true – the disability vote counts. For people with disabilities, their families, and those who support them, voting is more than a civic responsibility. It is one of the best ways to influence the decisions that shape everyday life. Policies passed at the state and federal levels determine access to healthcare, education, employm...

The Georgia Healthcare Policy Center (GHPC) at Georgia State University is researching whether the money spent on services for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities (I/DD) is worth it.  This is also known as the return on investment, or ROI.  These services are funded through NOW/COMP Waivers. The study aims to show lawmakers and the public the real benefits of this funding, both...

On April 2, 2026, Uniting for Change (U4C) held a voting workshop for self-advocates with disabilities across Georgia. The workshop helped people get ready for the May 19, 2026 primary election. The goal was to teach people with intellectual and developmental disabilities (I/DD) the basics of voting. This included why voting matters, how the process works, and how to take part as a self-advocate....

My name is Martha, and I have a pretty amazing job. I am the first young woman with Down syndrome to work at the Georgia state capitol. Yes, you read that right. The first . And honestly? That is not just a fact. It is a gift. So what do I actually do all day? Well, for starters, I deliver donuts. To the Governor. To the Lieutenant Governor. I mean, come on. Who gets to do that?! I also help get t...

As Georgia’s temperatures rise and summer approaches, families across the state begin searching for ways to enjoy the outdoors. But for many Georgians with intellectual and developmental disabilities (I/DD), planning a day of summer fun often comes with an extra question: Will this activity be accessible?  People with disabilities have worked hard to make more places accessible. Accessible means t...

Election season is here! This year, Georgia voters will choose their next Governor, US Senator, US representatives, and many other leaders. These elections matter a lot for people with disabilities. First come the primary elections. In a primary, voters pick which candidates will represent each political party. Primaries don’t always get as much attention as the big general election — but they are...

School discipline plays a big role in whether students stay in the classroom and are connected to learning. According to the Georgia Conflict Center (GCC), students with intellectual and developmental disabilities (I/DD) are disciplined more often than their peers. Data shows Black students with I/DD face the highest discipline rates of all.  Too often, that discipline means students are removed f...

March is Developmental Disabilities Awareness Month, a national campaign that began in 1987. It reminds us that people with intellectual and developmental disabilities (I/DD) are important members of our communities and should be fully included in all parts of life—school, work, recreation, and community activities. In this article, you will read about a young woman with I/DD who is living the lif...

Hello advocates, how in the world are you doing!! We’re excited to bring you the March edition of our Public Policy for the People article. Y’all… we are heavy in session. When the House and Senate are moving at full speed, it can feel like drinking from a fire hose. The number of bills, the hearings, the amendments, the late nights—it’s a lot. But don’t worry. We’ll help you stay cool when the bi...

Something special is happening in Macon, Georgia, on Sunday, April 12, 2026. An exciting event called Reimagining Schools, Neighborhoods & Faith Communities to Include All Children and Youth will take place from 2 to 4 PM at the Tubman Museum, located at 310 Cherry Street.  This free event brings together some powerful organizations all working toward the same goal — making sure every child an...

Pop quiz! How many NOW/COMP waivers does Georgia *urgently* need? Between 50 and 500 We don’t know 1,217 The answer is C. The state urgently needs 1,217 new NOW/COMP waivers. How do we know? Because we have the data. During 2025, GCDD staff and Council members were part of a group that worked closely with staff from the Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Disabilities (DBHDD). Part o...

The Georgia Council on Developmental Disabilities (GCDD) works to support inclusive education, employment, housing, and advocacy for Georgians with intellectual and developmental disabilities (I/DD). On February 4, 2026, self-advocates, parents, educators, and other community members met with lawmakers during GCDD’s Education Advocacy Day to share their experiences with inclusive education in Geor...

Being a self-advocate means speaking up for myself and for others. It means standing up for my rights and asking for what I need and want. It also means helping to make sure other people are heard, too. One of my first memories of advocating was with my friends during council meetings of the City of Fitzgerald and Ben Hill County. We spoke about the need for public transportation. We kept showing...

New technology is changing quickly, and many people find it hard to know how to use it safely or well. Tools powered by artificial intelligence (AI) can make everyday tasks easier and support independence. At the same time, they can raise concerns about false information, privacy, and access. These challenges are often even greater for people with intellectual or developmental disabilities (I/DD)...

For the past two and a half years, the Georgia Council on Developmental Disabilities (GCDD) has had the privilege of working alongside leaders across Georgia’s intellectual and developmental disabilities (I/DD) community as part of the Georgia Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Disabilities (DBHDD) I/DD Workgroup. Together, we set out to confront three of the most critical challenge...

Discover stories of courage, creativity, and leadership from people with disabilities in Georgia and beyond. Learn how disability justice connects to Harriet Tubman’s legacy of strength at the Tubman African American Museum in Macon. The Georgia Council on Developmental Disabilities (GCDD) is driven by its Five Year Strategic Plan goals to improve services and supports for people with intellectual...

The Georgia Council on Developmental Disabilities (GCDD) is launching a new feature column for Making A Difference magazine called “Ask GCDD Anything!” Through this column, GCDD will provide more education, information, and resources for Georgia’s developmental disabilities community on topics that are important to YOU!  The Georgia Council on Developmental Disabilities (GCDD) is driven by its Fiv...

Decisions made during Georgia’s legislative session affect the daily lives of people with intellectual and developmental disabilities (I/DD) and their families. These decisions shape whether someone can get help at home, whether a student can stay in an inclusive classroom, and whether people can access the healthcare they need. These choices are not just about policy—they affect real people every...

My name is Charlie Miller, and I work at the Georgia Council on Developmental Disabilities (GCDD). My job is to help people speak up for disability rights. I'm excited to share this January newsletter about what's happening in Georgia's government. The holidays are over, and it's almost time for one of my favorite events: the 2026 Georgia State Legislative Session. This is when...

Project SETA: Students Enhancing Their Advocacy is a one-year training program that helps young people build strong skills in speaking up for themselves and being leaders. It was first made for students in college programs that include everyone, but it has grown to help anyone ages 14 to 26. Students chosen for this program get training and support in advocacy, leadership, and being professional....

What if in 2026, we forget about resolutions? Instead, what if we embrace this year as one full of possibilities? Hear me out. A resolution sounds so ... limited. And likely to fail. Plus, why is there pressure to pick just one? I don’t know about you, but in my work and personal life, I want to accomplish more than one thing this year! So, what if instead of declaring a single resolution, we expl...

Whether she is acting, directing, or speaking up for people with disabilities, Jessica Cowell, who has cerebral palsy, knows how to use her voice. She loves being on stage and is dedicated to making sure everyone feels included and welcome. "Ever since I was in preschool, I was told it was important for me to use my voice as a person with a disability," says Cowell. "Everyone should...

The Georgia Council on Developmental Disabilities (GCDD) is pleased to announce the addition of four new council members. These Georgians will bring new voices and ideas to the 28-member Council. These members will help make important decisions about services and support for people with disabilities in Georgia. The new members are: Brooke Baumgardner, advocate, Johns Creek, GA Mariana Ortiz-Padill...