Disability Day At The Capitol 2007
ATLANTA, GA (February 19, 2007) - The significance of the annual Disability Day At The Capitol, sponsored by the Governor's Council On Developmental Disabilities (GCDD¬) and partnering agencies, goes well beyond the swelling crowd of 1600 expected for what has become the largest annually scheduled public gathering during the official legislative session. Numerous volunteers and sponsors collaborate to make it a success. Few are aware how invigorated the socially, economically and culturally diverse Georgia disability advocacy community is, unless they see it first hand at events like Disability Day At The Capitol
Since 1998, people with disabilities come to Disability Day from across Georgia to organize on a grass roots level and to advocate for public policy that levels the playing field for children and adults who would otherwise remain vulnerable.
We march from the Gold Dome to the Georgia Freight Depot to break bread with our legislators and fellow citizens; taking time to share, encourage and celebrate each other. It is a day when no one is excluded and every conceivable segment of society is represented. Actually, we are everyone.
It was not until I lost most of my eyesight in mid career and returned to my profession newly identified as a person living with disability that I became aware of GCDD and Disability Day. I came upon a more complete understanding of the disability community two years ago when I joined the GCDD staff. I realize now this community has existed in my midst all along without my taking proper notice as a "typically abled" woman. There is a pressing critical need for greater public awareness and improved public perception of the lives of people with disabilities and their families so often hidden in plain view of the general public. My work calls upon me to gather and disseminate information and stories about real people and families who routinely apply extraordinary measures just to maintain what some may take for granted as normal lives. For a relative newcomer to disability, it is an interesting, worthwhile education. I am learning, once again, that, first and foremost, people are people. I am learning the ropes.
Whether through the natural occurrences of birth and aging, or as a result of accidents or war, more than one in five Americans live with some type of disability. Indirectly, society as a whole is significantly affected by disability through personal relationships, social service organizations and related industry.
An outcome of the networking that goes on at Disability Day is the strong relationships Georgia disability advocates enjoy with their state legislators and other government officials. Many lawmakers make it a point to attend.
This year's Disability Day theme is, "Make It Real" because people want to have Real Careers, Real Homes, Real Learning, Real Influence, and Real Supports – A Real Life.
Among GCDD's list of public policy priorities are the Unlock The Waiting Lists! Campaign calling for funding of slots for community based services for nearly 7,000 persons who languish on lists waiting for vital supports; 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.
Falcons' quarterback D.J. Shockley and National Disability Institute Director Michael Morris, among others, will speak at the 9th annual Disability Day, February 22. Shockley will share his story of two siblings who have a developmental disability called Fragile X Syndrome. He will also speak about the importance of family support during the outdoor rally on the Capitol steps, scheduled between the breakfast and lunch sessions at the Freight Depot.
Middle school students from The Epstein School in Sandy Springs have volunteered to assist blind and visually impaired persons as sighted guides at the event. Other Epstein students will help people with various disabilities make signs for the rally march and serve as information ambassadors.
GCDD partnered with the Center for the Visually Impaired in Atlanta to train these students who were most intrigued by the cool talking GPS system with refreshable Braille display that allows a blind person to navigate and keep notes in the same portable device.
It was new to the students. In a question and answer session they were open, curious and thoughtful. "Were you afraid when you became blind," one student asked. "Yes," I responded," but after a while I learned what I could do. "
Each Disability Day the Governor's Council On Developmental Disabilities (GCDD) provides this opportunity to honor "fallen soldiers," build relationships, celebrate community, push for inclusion and advocate for the right to participate fully as contributing members of society.
Adapting to living as a visually impaired person has been hard. The ease of mobility and independence that came with driving my car is no longer. Now I travel using a white cane to feel the ground in front of me for clearance as I walk. But this has not come without its gifts. While the process of adjustment is arduous and ongoing, educating myself and others often brings a particular poignancy to otherwise ordinary, every day social interaction. Many have their own stories to tell. Truth is, we all essentially live as fully as we can, the best we can. Whatever our abilities, who can expect to do more? Why would anyone want to do less?
