Take Your Legislator to Work Day 2019 DIY (Do It Yourself)

Tap Into Your Self-Advocacy Power!

October celebrates National Disability Employment Awareness Month (NDEAM), and this year, the theme is The Right Talent, Right Now.

And what better way to bring that message home than to announce the return of GCDD's Take Your Legislator to Work Day! And this year, we are putting the power in your hands!

The annual employment advocacy event provides an opportunity for employees with disabilities to invite their legislator(s) to visit them at work. It allows legislators and decision-makers to see the far-reaching benefits to employers, employees and communities alike of hiring people with disabilities.

It’s also a great way to create opportunities for Georgians with disabilities to form and nurture relationships with their elected officials.

Here’s how you can Take Your Legislator to Work!

Schedule Your DIY (Do It Yourself) Visit

Employer Permission: Your employer must give written permission for your legislator to visit you at work. Use this form for your employer to sign and email to
Identify your senator and representative for your particular district on Open States by filling in your address.
Click on their name or find their contact information on the Georgia State Senate or Georgia House of Representatives page.
Contact Legislator: Use their contact information to send an email to set up a meeting with the senator and/or representative you’d like to connect with. Use this sample copy.
Set up a date and time that works for you, your employer and your legislator. Complete this form before your visit.

Plan Your Itinerary

Plan for a tour that should be approximately 30-45 minutes. Be sure to highlight where you work and what your job responsibilities are, and introduce the legislator to your co-workers.
If you work with a job coach, or receive another form of support, try to include that person in the conversation with the legislator.
Be sure to include your employer and available co-workers in the conversation, as their perspectives will be very important to the legislator.
Although it is important to include the co-workers, the job coach and the employer in the discussion, the visit should be primarily focused on the experience of you as the employee.

On The Day Of the Visit

Be on time to welcome your legislator.

Share with your legislator why employment is important for people with disabilities, why legislators should support bills and efforts that promote competitive, integrated employment for people with disabilities.

Share Your Story with GCDD!

You made the connection. You had the meeting. And now we want to know!

Take a few minutes to complete this form and upload your pictures. GCDD may contact you for further information about your visit to learn more for our next issue!