Accessible Audio for Making A Difference

The Georgia Council on Developmental Disabilities (GCDD) invites you to ask our team questions about legislation, supports, services, or other topics that are related to individuals with intellectual or developmental disabilities (I/DD). The following is this month's question and answer. The Question: GCDD community member from Alpharetta asked: Please provide information about programs where...

When people hear the words “public policy,” they often think about legislation, committee meetings, or debates under the Gold Dome. They think about bills and resolutions. I understand why. But for me, public policy has never been about paperwork. It's always been about people. I joined the Georgia Council on Developmental Disabilities in 2024, and now I serve as chair of the Public Policy Co...

The ADA’s Promise: Progress Made, Challenges Remain The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) became law 36 years ago on July 26, 1990. It protects the civil rights of people with disabilities and helps make sure they have the same opportunities as everyone else. The ADA says that people with disabilities should be able to participate fully in their communities. This includes having access to publ...

On June 16th, the Embracing Possibility – Georgia’s Disability Justice Journey exhibit at the Tubman Museum in Macon, Georgia, ended its run. After a year of engaging conversations, collaborations, and community gatherings, this exhibit, which focused on what is possible for Georgians with intellectual and developmental disabilities (I/DD), concluded.  Many groups worked together to make the exhib...

This summer, I want to encourage every Georgian with a developmental disability — and every family member, caregiver, and advocate — to engage with your elected officials. Significant decisions are being made right now in our state legislature, in state agencies, and in Washington. These decisions involve funding levels, program structures, and policies that will directly affect the lives of peopl...

Last month, parents, family members, educators, and friends celebrated the newest college graduates of the Class of 2026.  Across the 10 inclusive post-secondary education (IPSE) programs in Georgia, graduates wore their cap and gown to mark an important life milestone - graduating from college. This year, the IPSE program at Berry College also marked an important milestone. Their first cohort was...

Did you vote in Georgia's May primary election? If so, your work isn't done yet. If you did not vote in the primary election, you can still vote in June’s primary runoff election.  The primary runoff election is coming on June 16, 2026 and your voice needs to be heard. In Georgia, if no candidate wins more than 50% of the votes in a primary, the top two candidates move on to a runoff. Th...

The Georgia Council on Developmental Disabilities (GCDD) is reminding community members that there is still time to review and comment on the proposed 2027–2031 Five-Year Strategic Plan. The public comment period closes on June 19, 2026. Earlier this year, GCDD gathered feedback from across the state through focus groups, town hall meetings, and surveys. Families, self-advocates, providers, and co...

On May 12, 2026, Gov. Brian Kemp signed the state budget for fiscal year 2027. This is the final state budget he will sign as governor since his term as Georgia’s governor ends January 27, 2027. After the General Assembly approved the budget in House Bill 974, Governor Brian Kemp made 157 changes (also called “disregards”) to the budget. These changes cut more than $344 million from the budget, in...

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)...