Accessible Audio for Making A Difference

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...

Article from the Fall 2024 edition of the Making a Difference magazine for the Self-Advocacy Spotlight feature. 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 devel...

Article from the Fall 2024 edition of the Making a Difference magazine for the Public Policy for the People feature. 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...

Article from the Fall 2024 edition of GCDD's Making a Difference Magazine from the Include College Corner feature. 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 wi...

Article from the Fall 2024 edition of the Making a Difference magazine for the GCDD Impact feature. 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 dis...

Article from the Fall 2024 edition of the Making a Difference magazine for the Expert Update feature. 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 d...

Article from the Fall 2024 edition of the Making a Difference magazine for the In The Community feature. 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 developmenta...

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 through various advocacy and capacity building activities to...

Elite Squad Inc., founded in June 2023 by Dorinda Peterson and Amy Hines, is an advocacy and social connection group in metro Atlanta dedicated to changing societal perspectives on how people interact and engage with people with disabilities. The group accomplishes its mission by hosting and leading various social events for people of all backgrounds to meet, learn various life skills, and have a...

Tracy Rackensperger is faculty member of the University of Georgia (UGA) Institute on Human Development and Disability (IHDD). She serves as the resource and outreach manager for the Advancing Employment program, a technical assistance center for best practices in employment support, particularly concerning employees with disabilities. The program aims to transition workers out of subminimum wage...