Accessible Audio for Making A Difference

The Georgia Council on Developmental Disabilities is beginning a new five-year plan. This plan will guide our work for the next five years.

I serve as chair of GCDD’s State Plan Committee and as a member of the Executive Committee. I am also an assistant director and the training director at the Center for Leadership in Disability at Georgia State University.

I have served with GCDD for about eight years. During that time, I have seen how GCDD’s work can help people with intellectual and developmental disabilities and their families.

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 build a more interdependent, self-sufficient, and integrated and included disability community across Georgia.

This project was supported, in part by grant number 2001GASCDD-03, from the U.S. Administration for Community Living, Department of Health and Human Services, Washington, D.C. 20201. Grantees undertaking projects with government sponsorship are encouraged to express freely their findings and conclusions. Points of view or opinions do not, therefore, necessarily represent official ACL policy.

Georgia’s general election is November 3, 2026. Voters can cast their ballot in three ways: voting early in-person, by absentee ballot, or at their polling place on Election Day. 

“With each of these options, there’s planning that has to happen,” said Stacey Ramirez of REV UP Georgia. “Make sure you understand the process and the steps so that your voice is heard and your ballot is counted.” 

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 build a more interdependent, self-sufficient, and integrated and included disability community across Georgia.

This project was supported, in part by grant number 2001GASCDD-03, from the U.S. Administration for Community Living, Department of Health and Human Services, Washington, D.C. 20201. Grantees undertaking projects with government sponsorship are encouraged to express freely their findings and conclusions. Points of view or opinions do not, therefore, necessarily represent official ACL policy.

Georgia State University (GSU), in partnership with the Georgia Council on Developmental Disabilities, is conducting an in-depth analysis of the return on investment (ROI) of the NOW /COMP Medicaid waivers. 

As part of this research study, GSU is hosting listening sessions to gather insights from:

• People and families who currently receive waivers
• People and families who are on the waitlist for a waiver
• Home and community-based services (HBCS) providers including agency representatives and direct support professionals
• State staff who oversee program services, write policy, and manage data.

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 build a more interdependent, self-sufficient, and integrated and included disability community across Georgia.

This project was supported, in part by grant number 2001GASCDD-03, from the U.S. Administration for Community Living, Department of Health and Human Services, Washington, D.C. 20201. Grantees undertaking projects with government sponsorship are encouraged to express freely their findings and conclusions. Points of view or opinions do not, therefore, necessarily represent official ACL policy.

The Georgia Council on Developmental Disabilities (GCDD) hosted a virtual Candidate Forum on September 17, 2026 to help voters understand where candidates stand on disability issues. 

GCDD organized the event with the Georgia Advocacy Office (GAO), Sangha Unity Network, Uniting for Change, Crimminz and Associates, and REV UP Georgia. 

During the Forum, candidates running for Governor, Lieutenant Governor, Attorney General, Labor Commissioner, and State Superintendent of Schools discussed issues important to Georgia’s disability community. Topics included affordable health care, and educational opportunities. The forum also covered voting accessibility and what voters can expect at the polls in November.

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 build a more interdependent, self-sufficient, and integrated and included disability community across Georgia.

This project was supported, in part by grant number 2001GASCDD-03, from the U.S. Administration for Community Living, Department of Health and Human Services, Washington, D.C. 20201. Grantees undertaking projects with government sponsorship are encouraged to express freely their findings and conclusions. Points of view or opinions do not, therefore, necessarily represent official ACL policy.

This October marks the 81st anniversary of National Disability Employment Awareness Month (NDEAM), an annual celebration of the positive impact of people with disabilities in the American workforce. The theme for NDEAM 2026 is “Celebrating Value and Talent.” In Georgia, Advancing Employment is leading NDEAM celebration events.  

Advancing Employment is Georgia’s training and technical assistance center for best practices in employment supports. It works to create and improve employment supports and systems in Georgia so workers with disabilities can find and keep jobs in inclusive workplaces. Advancing Employment supports job seekers with disabilities, employment service providers, and businesses. This helps to make inclusive employment a reality across Georgia. The program is part of the University of Georgia’s (UGA) Center on Human Development and Disability. It is one of UGA’s oldest continuously funded federal programs.

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 build a more interdependent, self-sufficient, and integrated and included disability community across Georgia.

This project was supported, in part by grant number 2001GASCDD-03, from the U.S. Administration for Community Living, Department of Health and Human Services, Washington, D.C. 20201. Grantees undertaking projects with government sponsorship are encouraged to express freely their findings and conclusions. Points of view or opinions do not, therefore, necessarily represent official ACL policy.

The Georgia Council on Developmental Disabilities (GCDD), along with partners the Georgia Advocacy Office (GAO), Sangha Unity Network, and REV UP Georgia, will host the 2026 Candidate Forum on disability issues at 6:00 p.m. Thursday, September 17, 2026 virtually via Zoom.

The purpose of the 2026 GCDD Candidate Forum is to invite individuals who are running for public office to speak on issues of importance to Georgia’s disability community. Georgians with intellectual and developmental disabilities(I/DD), their families, and community members will have the opportunity to hear from candidates running for public office. Affordable health care, educational opportunities, voting access, and more continue to present challenges for Georgians with 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 systems change for individuals with developmental disabilities and family members, will work through various advocacy and capacity building activities to build a more interdependent, self-sufficient, and integrated and included disability community across Georgia.

This project was supported, in part by grant number 2001GASCDD-03, from the U.S. Administration for Community Living, Department of Health and Human Services, Washington, D.C. 20201. Grantees undertaking projects with government sponsorship are encouraged to express freely their findings and conclusions. Points of view or opinions do not, therefore, necessarily represent official ACL policy.

I am the Chair of the Grants Selection Committee for the Georgia Council on Developmental Disabilities. This work has taught me something important: a grant is never just a grant.

On paper, a grant can look like numbers, forms, deadlines, and money. But behind every dollar is a real chance to make life better for people with developmental disabilities across Georgia.

That is why this work means so much to me.

GCDD gives out grants to fund projects. These projects help build a Georgia where people with disabilities can live, work, learn, talk with others, and take part in their communities in ways that matter to them.

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 build a more interdependent, self-sufficient, and integrated and included disability community across Georgia.

This project was supported, in part by grant number 2001GASCDD-03, from the U.S. Administration for Community Living, Department of Health and Human Services, Washington, D.C. 20201. Grantees undertaking projects with government sponsorship are encouraged to express freely their findings and conclusions. Points of view or opinions do not, therefore, necessarily represent official ACL policy.

College is a big change for anyone. For autistic students, it can bring challenges that other students do not face. Challenges such as knowing how to study, when to ask for help, how to make friends, or how to manage daily life. Emory University’s Emory Oaks program meets those challenges head-on, with one-on-one support, practical tools, and a community where autistic students belong.

“Autistic students face many of the same challenges as other college students,” said Kelsey Bohlke, Assistant Director for Emory Oaks. “The difference is that neurotypical students often seem to pick up on how things work without being directly taught. Autistic students can benefit from having those things explained more clearly, whether it’s how to handle academics, find strategies that work for them, or learn how to study. Many of our students didn’t need to study in high school, so college may be the first time they’re learning how.”

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 build a more interdependent, self-sufficient, and integrated and included disability community across Georgia.

This project was supported, in part by grant number 2001GASCDD-03, from the U.S. Administration for Community Living, Department of Health and Human Services, Washington, D.C. 20201. Grantees undertaking projects with government sponsorship are encouraged to express freely their findings and conclusions. Points of view or opinions do not, therefore, necessarily represent official ACL policy.

What is the DOJ memo? 

On June 18, 2026, the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) released a letter about enforcing disability rights. The letter is called a memorandum, and it was written by the DOJ's Office of Legal Counsel. 

The memo is about a 1999 Supreme Court case called Olmstead v. L.C. & E.W. L.C. (Lois Curtis) and E.W. (Elaine Wilson) won the case, which said that people with disabilities should be able to get care in their own homes and communities, as long as it's “appropriate” for their needs. Disability advocates call this the integration mandate.

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 build a more interdependent, self-sufficient, and integrated and included disability community across Georgia.

This project was supported, in part by grant number 2001GASCDD-03, from the U.S. Administration for Community Living, Department of Health and Human Services, Washington, D.C. 20201. Grantees undertaking projects with government sponsorship are encouraged to express freely their findings and conclusions. Points of view or opinions do not, therefore, necessarily represent official ACL policy.

Find out what's happening in Georgia! Here are some events that may be of interest to individuals with developmental disabilities and their families. 

Do you know of an upcoming event that others may be interested in? Send the information to [email protected].

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 build a more interdependent, self-sufficient, and integrated and included disability community across Georgia.

This project was supported, in part by grant number 2001GASCDD-03, from the U.S. Administration for Community Living, Department of Health and Human Services, Washington, D.C. 20201. Grantees undertaking projects with government sponsorship are encouraged to express freely their findings and conclusions. Points of view or opinions do not, therefore, necessarily represent official ACL policy.