Highlights from the 14th Annual Disability Day at the Capitol in the Spring MAD 2012
My Life is FOR REAL
Disability Day is an annual rally sponsored by the Georgia Council on Developmental Disabilities (GCDD) on the steps of the State Capitol to promote access, opportunity and meaningful community living for Georgians with disabilities and their families.
My Life is FOR REAL, the theme for this year's rally, means that people with disabilities should have the same opportunities as others to have a meaningful life and contribute to the communities where they live, learn, work, play and worship. It also means that individuals who need support should have access to quality home and community-based services.
Despite rainy weather on February 16, advocates from across the State arrived to kick off the event at the nearby Georgia Freight Depot, where Disability Day supporters enjoyed breakfast, collected their t-shirts, added their names to the 2012 Disability Day signature banner and created signs to make their voices heard and seen during the rally.
The pre-rally event also featured voter registration, information on the Transportation Investment Act (a 1% sales tax on the ballot in July), signing of the Children's Freedom Initiative declaration to move children out of nursing facilities and a look into the many sponsors who contributed to the success of Disability Day including a preview of the Abilities Expo.
GCDD also showed screenings of their public awareness video series, "Voices Beyond the Mirror," which was created to commemorate the 40th anniversary of the Developmental Disabilities Bill of Rights Act and offers a thoughtful look into the everyday realities of people living with different types of disabilities.
After rallying at the Capitol, supporters returned to the Freight Depot to gather with other advocates, their families, friends and State legislators to share a catered lunch by Subway and reflect on the day.
14th Annual Disability Day at the Capitol
By Carmel Garvin Hearn
The Georgia Council on Developmental Disabilities (GCDD) Annual Disability Day has been held at the Georgia Capitol on a day in February for the past 13 years. In recent times, the event has fallen on a beautiful day with fair weather and clear blue skies. This was not one of those days.As February 16, 2012 dawned, a steady drizzle blanketed the Atlanta area. But the weather seemed to have little effect on the 2,000 advocates at this 14th Annual Disability Day. In spite of the weather, they came together and were strong in their mission to have their voices heard by legislators meeting under the Gold Dome.
Disability Day supporters made their way from across town and across the State. Several travelled solo, while others arrived in groups, accompanied by caregivers and advocates.
They first massed at the Georgia Railroad Freight Depot (a restored 1870s building on the Capitol Hill Complex) to make signs to display at the rally and sign the Children's Freedom Initiative, a declaration affirming a child's right to live in a permanent, loving home.
"I want these kids to have a great life and be in their loving homes with their families more than anything," said Lyndzi Vaughn, co-president of the Partnerships for Success student club at Hall County's Flowery Branch High School. "They should not be in nursing homes at all. That's wrong and not a way to treat your loved ones."
Vaughn, along with Co-President Joseph Martinez and another member of the club, Nick Dyson, would later introduce Disability Day's keynote speaker, also from Hall County, Governor Nathan Deal.
"It's an amazing relationship," said Martinez of his fellow group members including some with and others without disabilities. "We all love one another and help each other out in different ways. If they're in need of something, then we're there for them always."
It's fun to be with my friends," affirmed Haley Hickman, another member of the club. "We usually play games. On Thursday we sell ice cream."
The advocates made their way from the Depot shortly before 11 AM, marching, rolling walkers, steering wheelchairs or maneuvering canes through puddles and a light rain to the Capitol building. As the rally began, chants rang from the crowd in unity.
"Real choice, real communities."
"Unlock the waiting lists!"
"My life is for real."
"Nothing about us without us."
"For 14 years, Georgia's Disability Movement has gained momentum, thanks to the families, advocates and people with disabilities who care enough to come from across the State and join together as one united voice on Disability Day," said GCDD Executive Director Eric E. Jacobson opening the rally.
Jacobson was pleased to announce that Georgia's governor and the top executive for the American Association of People with Disabilities (AAPD) in Washington, DC were among the dignitaries who addressed the large crowd assembled there to ensure that disability should be on everyone's agenda.
"Real choice, real communities. That is what it is all about," said Mark Perriello, president and CEO of the AAPD, as he addressed the assembly. "That is why we're here today. It is about equality; it is about freedom and it is about the choices we all have as Americans to live our lives how we see fit and where we see fit. We are here today telling our elected officials that our voices need to be heard and that together we are stronger and more powerful as a community. It is so amazing to see all of you here today making sure that message is heard."
Perriello pointed out that there are more than 50 million people with disabilities in the US, making Georgia's disability advocates part of a potentially powerful national voice.
The power of taking action and engaging lawmakers was not lost on this crowd. Several lawmakers addressed the group including Governor Nathan Deal himself.
"Our team is hard at work expanding resources including waivers to move individuals with developmental disabilities out of our hospitals; waivers to care for those currently living in the community and to increase family support," said Deal. "We are strengthening our networks of crisis care with mobile crisis teams and crisis respite homes, while focusing on providing immediate, high quality and person-centered care."
The rally is the one of the largest opportunities for the disability community to communicate important issues and needs to legislators. Other policymakers in attendance included Rep. Carl Rogers (R-Dist 26), Sen. John Albers (R-Dist 56) and Rep. Sharon Beasley-Teague (D-Dist 65).
"We need to support our communities, and the disability community is one I have supported in my 20 years in the General Assembly," said Beasley-Teague. "We need to do more and help those with disabilities so they can have a whole life and get around in their communities."
"When you don't come and share your needs and represent yourself, you will be forgotten," said Rogers in a nod to the huge turnout at the rally. "I tell folks, if you think somebody is representing you at the State or US Capitol but you haven't been involved, you are probably wrong. You have to show your presence and be engaged."
The rally was also a chance to acknowledge fallen heroes, as well as present outstanding advocacy leaders with awards for their hard work. Dr. Gerald Durley, recognized civil rights leader and pastor of the historic Providence Missionary Baptist Church of Atlanta, honored advocates who had recently passed away by reading the names of 48 of those he called "fallen soldiers" in the battle for disability rights.
Additionally, Margo Waters, disABILITY LINK independent living coordinator, was honored with the Georgia Outstanding Self-Advocate of the Year Award – In Loving Memory of Natalie Norwood Tumlin; and Joseph D. Frazier, Metro Fair Housing Services, Inc. president, was recognized with the Samuel Mitchell Lifetime Achievement Award.
Jacobson and GCDD Chair Tom Seegmueller led the rally program, which provided an update on the status of legislation and addresses a number of public policy priorities, including:
• The Unlock The Waiting Lists! Campaign calling for funding of community-based services for over 6,000 persons on waiting lists for vital supports
• Transportation Investment Act (TIA) Referendum
• Children's Freedom Initiative
• Proposals to help people receive the supports they need to live and thrive in the community
"I think today's activities were amazing. Even with the rain, the street was packed. People were engaged," Jacobson reflected as he made his way back to the Freight Depot with the crowd following the rally." The message for Disability Day is that you can't forget the people with disabilities and many of us need supports in order to live life like everybody else. That message was clear from the chants and the speakers. That message went right into the halls of legislature."
SIdebars:
Making the World a Better Place
Georgia's disability community has become a powerful voice. But, according to Mark Perriello, guest speaker for the 14th Annual Disability Day, Georgia's disability advocates can become even more powerful.
"We can't be satisfied with the status quo," explained Perriello. "The time has come for more of us to run for and win elected office. The time has come for us to make sure we have a seat at the policymaking table whether it's here in Georgia or in state capitols across the country."
Perriello, who is president and CEO of the American Association of People with Disabilities (AAPD) in Washington, DC says that running for elected office as a person with a disability is the same as running for office like anyone else.
"Ultimately we're all qualified for these jobs," he remarked. "We know the issues and we know what it takes to make America succeed. It's about taking that leap of faith."
Perriello suggested the best way to get started is to volunteer on a campaign. "You can see what it takes to raise the money, knock on doors, make phone calls and turn people out on Election Day. It's a great place for people to learn and work in general. Those fortunate to have their candidate win office often end up in the decision-making seats. Being part of a campaign is an important avenue into the corridors of power."
Citing AAPD as the nation's largest cross disability membership organization, fighting every day in Washington, DC to make the world a better place through good policy for people with disabilities, Perriello encouraged those who may be interested in running for office or joining a campaign to contact the organization. For more information, please visit http://www.aapd.com/.
The Children's Freedom Inititative
The Children's Freedom Initiative (CFI) is a collaborative effort to ensure that children who live in facilities are given the chance to live with permanent, loving families. At the 14th Annual Disability Day, hundreds of attendees signed the CFI's "Declaration of a Child's Right to Live in a Permanent, Loving Home" petition, which states:
We, the undersigned, believe that all children have the right to grow up in permanent, loving homes. We believe that all children can thrive in the community with the appropriate supports and encouragement. Additionally, children have a right to be treated with dignity and respect. We believe that no child should be subjected to segregation and congregation under the guise of treatment services. Children should not grow up in institutions or nursing facilities. Therefore: To safeguard the right that all children have to grow up in their communities, all Georgia children should be free from institutionalization and shall be afforded the supports to grow up in permanent, loving homes.
The CFI involves a coalition of advocates dedicated to creating a Georgia in which no child resides in a facility and plans to reach this goal through legislation, litigation, coalition-building, telling children's stories, elevating the issue and requesting resource allocation in the budgets of various departments. The group is supported by the Georgia Developmental Disabilities Network, which receives funding from the Administration on Developmental Disabilities, and includes the Georgia Council on Developmental Disabilities (GCDD), the Institute on Human Development and Disability at the University of Georgia (IHDD), the Georgia Advocacy Office (GAO), and the Center for Leadership in Disability at Georgia State University (CLD)
To sign the CFI, please visit www.gcdd.org/cfi-declaration/petitions/declarations/cfi-declaration.html
