Accessible Audio for Making A Difference

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 challenges in our system: the provider workforce crisis, people stranded in emergency rooms and hospitals, and the long and growing waiting list for the NOW and COMP waivers.

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.

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) because technology is not always designed with their needs in mind.

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.

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 up and speaking out until our community got what it needed. That experience taught me that change can happen when people work together and do not give up.

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) 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-Padilla, family member, Smyrna, GA
• Laraleigh Windom, family member, Cumming, GA
• Steven Wright, advocate, Carrollton, GA

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.

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 be able to use their voice, but not everyone is able to access it."

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 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 explore possibilities all year long instead? 

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.

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.

The project is run by the Center for Leadership in Disability (CLD) at Georgia State University with help from the Georgia Council on Developmental Disabilities (GCDD). The CLD is Georgia's University Center for Excellence in Developmental Disabilities (UCEDD) and works on research, training, and programs that support people with intellectual and developmental disabilities across the state.

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.

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 Georgia's lawmakers meet to make new laws. The work we do to speak up for people with disabilities is becoming more important than ever. The decisions lawmakers make will directly affect people with disabilities, their families, and the programs that help them across Georgia.

This article will help you understand:

• What happens during the legislative session
• How you can get involved
• How to join GCDD's Advocacy Days
• What's happening with federal laws

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.

In this issue, we’ll take a look at the latest developments in the federal government shutdown, where the Georgia Developmental Disabilities Network currently stands, and what’s happening at the U.S. Department of Education. We’ll also gear up for another Georgia state legislative session under the Gold Dome. So get ready as we travel from Washington, D.C. to the Georgia State Capitol on our continued journey of advocacy.

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.

“Without our traditions, our lives would be as shaky as a fiddler on the roof.”

Those are the famous words of Tevye, the main character in Fiddler on the Roof. Without giving any spoilers, I can tell you the story is about a loving family living in very uncertain times. Tevye and his family are trying to honor traditions, support their community and keep a sense of humor at a time of great change. At the end of the year when it feels like the world has been moving at the speed of light, we at GCDD feel like it’s a wonderful time to honor our own traditions and embrace our joy.

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.