GCDD thanks STABLE Accounts Deputy Director Doug Jackson for hosting our Facebook Live Forum on how families and individuals with disabilities can stop spending down their money and save and invest it without losing their Medicaid and SSI benefits! You can view the powerpoint presentation on...

For the third year, Bounce Out the Stigma Basketball Camp came to Gainesville, GA in June. The camp’s mission is to “empower challenged youth to believe they can and erase the stigma from those who believe they can’t.” The camp is open to boys and girls, ages eight to 18, who are diagnosed with...

by Martha Haythorn My name is Martha Haythorn and I am 18. I just finished my senior year at Decatur High School. When I was seven years old, I went with my parents to speak with our senators. And, I have been advocating for people with disabilities ever since. In April, I went to the...

By Jennifer Bosk Among the many challenges parents and caregivers of children with disabilities experience is being understood by communities and the public. Add not speaking or limited understanding of the English language and the problem is compounded. Lola Hernández (left) and Brenda Liz...

Across the country, the movement to employ people with intellectual and developmental disabilities (I/DD) is gaining momentum. For the movement to be successful, bridging different players in the field and bringing them to achieve a common goal is key. Through the University of Georgia’s...

Kelsey Gray moved from St. Louis, MO to Acworth, GA with her mom, dad and 12-year-old sister in November 2015. Kelsey is a 14-year-old student at Awtrey Middle School, where she is in a class with three other students with significant disabilities. Kelsey is happy at school, where she takes...

by Alison Barkoff, Director of Advocacy, Center for Public Representation I’m excited to be back with another installment of What’s Happening in Washington? There’s so much going on with federal policy it’s hard to keep up! When people hear “federal policy,” they usually think about Congress...

With a little over 12,000 citizens, Clarkston, GA is an extremely diverse city active in community engagement. Every year in April, the town celebrates that diversity with the annual Clarkston Culture Fest (CCF), which “highlights the best of what Clarkston has to offer.” Supported by Al-Tamyoz...

by Adrianne Murchison Deborah Hibben had a task at the start of every school year when her daughter Hannah was growing up. She had a conversation with teachers to share what Hannah, who is diagnosed with Down syndrome, responds to, as well as her personality and needs. I would give teachers a...

By Adrianne Murchison Anticipation and butterflies around the first day of school are not exclusive to students. Parents can be anxious about how the day will unfold, as well. Before the first day back, parents of children with developmental disabilities have already been tenacious researchers...