Falcons’ Quarterback D.J. Shockley and Disability Advocate Michael Morris to Address Disability Day “Make It Real” Rally - More than 100 students provide community service support
ATLANTA, GA (Feb. 20, 2007) – Over 1,600 Georgians with disabilities, their family members and supporters are expected at the 9th annual "Make It Real" Rally on Thursday, Feb. 22 (Washington Street Side Capitol Steps), sponsored by the Governor's Council On Developmental Disabilities (GCDD). Advocate Michael Morris, director of the National Disability Institute; Atlanta Falcons' quarterback D.J. Shockley; and, Anil Lewis, president of the National Federation of the Blind of Georgia will address Georgia's largest gathering of disability advocates.
"Disability Day is an important event, not just for individuals with disabilities but for families, supporters and all people who care about the rights of others," said Atlanta Falcons' quarterback D.J. Shockley. "Before my brothers were diagnosed with Fragile X Syndrome, we had not even heard of this disability. Events such as this help to raise awareness and create greater possibilities for those with developmental disabilities, their families and the community," Shockley concluded.
Thursday's event, led by GCDD Chair Tom Seegmueller and Executive Director Eric E. Jacobson, is sponsored by GCDD with support from a host of advocacy groups. The day begins with a 9:30 a.m. breakfast at the Georgia Freight Depot where advocates from across Georgia will convene to network and prepare for the 11 a.m. "Make It Real" rally on the Capitol steps to be followed by a 12:30 p.m. lunch at the Georgia Freight Depot with legislators from both sides of the aisle.
As an integral part of Disability Day more than 100 young people, with and without disabilities, will work together to provide community service, some from as far away as Hall and Barrow counties. Fifteen of the students from The Epstein School in Sandy Springs were selected for a special certification and received Orientation and Mobility Training conducted by The Center for the Visually Impaired. Their training included frank discussion and exchange surrounding the instructional video "What to do When You Meet a Blind Person."
"We chose the 'Make It Real' theme because people with disabilities want real careers, real homes, real learning, real influence, real supports – a real life. This is our message to Georgia lawmakers," said GCDD Executive Director Eric E. Jacobson.
Among GCDD's list of public policy priorities are the Unlock The Waiting Lists! Campaign calling for funding of services for community based supports for nearly 7,000 persons on waiting lists; Money Follows The Person (MFP) will allow people to leave state and private institutions and nursing homes and move into the community with the necessary services, and The Children's Freedom Initiative which insists all children belong in homes with families and seeks to prevent any child from growing up in an institution. On Disability Day legislators have the opportunity to hear real stories from their constituents about how these issues affect them. Constituents will sign a banner on display at the Depot which will be replicated as a giant post card and sent to each of their legislators.
A Developmental Disability is a severe, chronic mental and/or physical disability that occurs before age 22 and is expected to last a lifetime. It limits a person in three or more of the following life activities: self-care, language, learning, mobility, self-direction, independent living and economic self-sufficiency.
GCDD is a Federally-funded state agency charged with creating systems for change for people with developmental disabilities and their families, with a goal to increase independence, inclusion, integration, self-determination and productivity through activities such as public policy research and analysis, project demonstrations, advocacy and public information.
