Accessible Audio for Making A Difference

Nandi Isaac reflects on her experiences while being a Council Member for the Georgia Council on Developmental Disabilities.  " I’ve been speaking up for people with disabilities for a long time. Before I joined the Georgia Council on Developmental Disabilities (GCDD), I was already going to meetings and helping out. I was an ambassador for the Special Olympics, and that’s where I found what I...

The Georgia Council on Developmental Disabilities (GCDD) is excited to announce the upcoming ”Embracing Possibility: Georgia’s Disability Justice Journey” exhibit at the Tubman African American Museum in Macon, Georgia. The opening celebration will be held on Sunday, May 18, 2025 from 3:00 to 5:00 PM at the museum, located at 310 Cherry Street, Macon, GA 31201. The exhibit, which will run from May...

The legislative session officially ended on Friday, April 4, 2025 at 10:30 p.m. It wrapped up earlier than usual and without much fanfare, but Georgia's disability community made great strides in advancing strong public policy for the entire state. Georgia has one of the shortest legislative sessions in the country — just 40 working days. That means any bill hoping to become law must be intro...

If I can give you one piece of advocacy advice for 2025, it’s get to know your Congressperson.  As I write these words, a flurry of activity is going on in Washington, DC. President Trump and the 119th Congress have the potential to make major changes to our society and life for Georgians with disabilities and their families. Some of the most important areas of potential change are Medicaid and th...

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 t...

Competitive integrated employment ( CIE), defined in the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act , is a term often used when talking about equal employment opportunities for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities (I/DD). But what does CIE actually look like? CIE means jobs where people with and without disabilities work together, earn fair wages, and have equal opportunities to a...

Everything, everywhere, all at once.  I have never seen the movie before, but that’s how I have been feeling.  Winter is typically our busiest season at the Georgia Council on Developmental Disabilities (GCDD). Public policy is a big part of our work, and during Georgia’s 40-day legislative session this year, we are all in and all over the Gold Dome. I love it, and I am so proud of our community’s...

The Georgia Council on Developmental Disabilities (GCDD) continues to seek public input for its 2027-2031 Five-Year Strategic Plan project. Information gathered from stakeholders across the state will help GCDD form a strategic plan to create systems change for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities (I/DD) and their families. The final plan will guide projects that help the C...

The Georgia Council on Developmental Disabilities (GCDD) is proud to celebrate Developmental Disabilities Awareness Month (DDAM) this March with the campaign We're Here All Year, emphasizing that community, accessibility, and opportunities for people with developmental disabilities should be recognized and championed every day—not just in March, but throughout the year.  The Georgia Council o...

Georgians with developmental disabilities, family members, providers, and DD network partners traveled from across the state of Georgia to join the Georgia Council on Developmental Disabilities (GCDD) for its annual Advocacy Days event series at the Georgia State Capitol. The purpose was to meet with lawmakers to champion the rights and well-being of Georgians with intellectual and developmental d...

“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. This month, Leslie Kate Thornton shares about herself and where she lives in Saint Mary's, Georgia. The Georgia Council on Developmental Di...

Ariel Edwards (LMSW) is the Georgia Council on Developmental Disabilities’ (GCDD) new Program and Policy Specialist whose role focuses on policy research, project management, and initiatives that support Georgians with developmental disabilities. Learn more about Ariel. The Georgia Council on Developmental Disabilities (GCDD) is driven by its Five Year Strategic Plan goals to improve services and...

GCDD Council Chair Lisa Newbern shares her thoughts on GCDD and current changes that will make a difference for people with developmental disabilities.  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 and other developmental disabilities (I/DD). The Council, charged with creating...

The Georgia Council on Developmental Disabilities (GCDD) is excited to announce the start of its 2027-2031 Five-Year Strategic Plan project. The plan is created using input from stakeholders across the state and it sets how the Council will allow opportunities to create systems change for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities (I/DD) and their families. Learn how you can be a...

In May of 2024, Georgia Governor Brian Kemp signed Senate Bill 384, which seeks to develop and administer the State of Georgia as a Model Employer (GAME) Program. The GAME Program establishes a formalized, statewide framework for Georgia state agencies to develop hiring plans, reporting mechanisms, and accountability measures to increase employment and retention opportunities for individuals with...

Public Policy for the People feature article for the Winter 2025 Making a Difference magazine. 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 and other developmental disabilities (I/DD). The Council, charged with creating systems change for individuals with developmental disabili...

Public Policy for the People feature in the Winter 2025 issue of Making a Difference Magazine. 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 and other developmental disabilities (I/DD). The Council, charged with creating systems change for individuals with developmental disabili...

The Include College Corner feature article from the Winter 2025 edition of Making a Difference Magazine, a publication of the Georgia Council on Developmental Disabilities. 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 and other developmental disabilities (I/DD). The Council, ch...

The Expert Update feature article from the Winter 2025 edition of Making a Difference Magazine, a publication of the Georgia Council on Developmental Disabilities. 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 and other developmental disabilities (I/DD). The Council, charged wit...

The GCDD Impact feature article from the Winter 2025 edition of Making a Difference Magazine, a publication of the Georgia Council on Developmental Disabilities. 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 and other developmental disabilities (I/DD). The Council, charged with...

The Self-Advocate Spotlight feature article from the Winter 2025 edition of Making a Difference Magazine, a publication of the Georgia Council on Developmental Disabilities. 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 and other developmental disabilities (I/DD). The Council, c...

The In The Community feature article from the Winter 2025 edition of Making a Difference Magazine, a publication of the Georgia Council on Developmental Disabilities. 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 and other developmental disabilities (I/DD). The Council, charged...

The Viewpoint feature article from the Winter 2025 edition of Making a Difference Magazine, a publication of the Georgia Council on Developmental Disabilities. 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 and other developmental disabilities (I/DD). The Council, charged with cr...

Cover story for the Fall edition of GCDD's Making a Difference magazine. 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 and other developmental disabilities (I/DD). The Council, charged with creating systems change for individuals with developmental disabilities and family m...

Message from GCDD Executive Director D'Arcy Robb.  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 and other developmental disabilities (I/DD). The Council, charged with creating systems change for individuals with developmental disabilities and family members, will work thro...