The Annual Disability Day Rally Promotes Community Connections and Reaches its 15th Milestone
The following is a feature article from the Spring 2013 Making a Difference.
The Annual Disability Day Rally Promotes Community Connections and Reaches its 15th Milestone
By Becca Bauer
The Georgia Council on Developmental Disabilities' (GCDD) Annual Disability Day rally that started out 15 years ago in a small room in the State Capitol with about 25 people, has evolved into a movement that brings thousands of advocates across the State to promote access, opportunity and meaningful community living for Georgians with disabilities and their families. With nearly 2,500 attendees, the 15th Annual Disability Day rally on February 21, 2013 on the Capitol steps united a record number of supporters in their mission to have their voices heard in celebration of community, advocacy, friendship and achievement.
Ranging from small groups to groups of more than 250, individuals from all over Georgia gathered at the nearby Georgia Railroad Freight Depot to don shirts, make signs for the rally and connect together as one before taking their message to elected officials at the State Capitol.
GCDD Executive Director Eric Jacobson energized the crowd at the start of the rally touching on this year's theme, "What's Your Connection?" borrowed from the US Department of Labor's Office of Disability Employment Policy's (ODEP) national campaign that emphasizes a disability as a universal link that each of us have in common and encourages inclusion in all aspects of life.
"Being connected is about connecting with people in places where you live, where you work, where you play and where you worship," Jacobson exclaimed. "It shows that we are truly connected from all over the State when we come to Disability Day at the Capitol. We can all point to this and say today is about us; it is about our community; it is about our State and it is about what we do to make our place a better place to live."
Introduced by Evan Nodvin, a 34-year-old self-advocate who was recently appointed to the GCDD Council, Governor Nathan Deal addressed the crowd for a second year in a row.
Presenting Governor Deal with an official 2013 Disability Day t-shirt, Nodvin, who serves as a prime example of being connected, independently living, working and participating in the community noted, "I was excited to introduce the Governor. He has always said that people with disabilities should not live in institutions or nursing homes and that people need to have real careers, real homes and real opportunities to be connected, especially in the community."
Governor Deal reaffirmed his support to Georgia's disability community and delivered a message of hope and commitment to work with them on issues including job opportunities and post-secondary education.
Additionally, the Governor was not the only elected official to show his support and address the crowd. Senator John Albers (R-Dist 56), who was accompanied by his son Ryan and recently introduced the bill Ava's Law to support children with autism, rallied the crowd with his words, "someone earlier today came up to me and said, 'thank you for supporting those with disabilities.' I said, you're welcome, but let me correct one thing that is very important, you don't have disabilities, we do."
Representative Scott Holcomb (D-Dist 81) and Representative Alisha Thomas Morgan (D-Dist 39), also came to the rally and let the crowd know they hear them inside the Capitol and are working to move forward on legislation.
"I want each and every person here to know that your voice is powerful," said Thomas Morgan. "I need my colleagues inside to know you can speak for yourself, you can advertise for your own jobs and your own services and the things that you deserve as human beings."
D'Arcy Robb, GCDD's new public policy director and co-coordinator of the Unlock the Waiting Lists! campaign delivered encouraging words on a positive start to the 2013 legislative activity. But, she cautioned there is much more work to be done to truly support real communities and good lives in those communities.
Among the many issues she is tackling this session include more funds to allow people to live in their own homes, support for young people with disabilities graduating from high school to find and maintain real jobs in the community through supportive employment and transportation services, more new independent care waivers and calling on policymakers to avoid making cuts to home and community-based providers.
GCDD is working with the Post-Secondary Inclusive Consortium to identify resources that would expand higher education through a program at the Academy for Inclusive Learning and Social Growth at Kennesaw State University (KSU), which is currently the only program in the State of Georgia that provides a two-year college experience for individuals with intellectual disabilities.
"The key to this program is that it prepares people for real jobs," said Robb. "We are so excited to hear the Governor support this program because this year we are partnering with other organizations and advocates to ask lawmakers for $350,000 that will allow programs like KSU's to be established at four other universities across Georgia. And, this a very exciting prospect."
In conclusion, prompting the crowd to get involved and advocate the best way each person sees fit, Robb noted, "when it comes to legislation, I urge you to get connected and stay connected."
After years of talking about closing state public institutions for people with developmental disabilities, by 2015 the doors will be closed forever. "As we envision that day in 2015, where no person is locked away because they have a developmental disability, it is very appropriate that we stand here today and hear from our legislators, our Governor and other folks about what we are doing to make sure that is the reality," said Jacobson.
Over the past year, new leadership has emerged in the disability community that has been dedicated to moving forward and leading the way for positive change in the community.
Frank Barry, commissioner of the Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Disabilities (DBHDD), joined the rally and updated the crowd on the progress made by his agency so far. "We have moved almost 900 people off the waiting list since July 1, and people who have been desperately needing services have received those services," said Barry. However, with over 7,500 people still remaining on waiting lists, Barry noted, "But we will still do better. Your voices are being heard, but we need to do even more. We have never had a Governor and a legislature that have been more supportive of what we are trying to accomplish and we need to take advantage of this day."
Along with Commissioner Barry, Greg Schmieg, executive director of the newly formed Georgia Vocational Rehabilitation Agency established last year by Governor Deal, touched on his vision for Georgia and the need to improve the employment of people with disabilities.
According to Schmieg, the United States Senate conducted a study 22 years after the passing of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), and the results were very discouraging. "Currently the unemployment rate among people with disabilities across our country is 70%," he said. "The earning potential of person with a disability who does get a job is two-thirds that of non-disabled worker. A person with a disability is three times more likely to end up in poverty. And do you know what my answer is? That is just not acceptable!"
Energizing the crowd, Schmieg made his message ring loud and clear leading the crowd in the chant, "everybody who wants a job should have a job."
Additionally, Jacobson spoke on the highly publicized case of Warren Hill, a man with an intellectual disability scheduled to be executed right here in Georgia the night before the rally. Although Hill was declared to have an intellectual disability, to take a person off the death penalty under current law in Georgia, that person must prove beyond a reasonable doubt that he/she has intellectual disabilities.
Proving the great power of public advocacy, Hill was granted a stay of execution at the last minute, but Jacobson noted there is still a vital need to work with partners in both the human rights and developmental disability community to get the State legislators to initiate the lower standard of proof that most other states operate under.
"The advocacy efforts for Warren Hill show that we are a powerful group and if we are willing to work together, if we are willing to have a common message and work as a team, there is nothing that can stop us," added Jacobson. "We need to continue to make sure that no person with an intellectual disability is ever executed in the State of Georgia.
The rally also offered an opportunity to recognize seven fallen soldiers, Georgia's disability advocates who passed away in 2012. Rabbi Analia Bortz of the Congregation Or Hadash, who is at the forefront of ensuring social justice issues are part of the congregation's everyday efforts and that the Jewish community is working to make sure that synagogues are welcoming and accessible to anyone who wants to attend, led the crowd in honoring their memories.
"We would also like to remember those who have perished while in institutions and nursing homes though we do not know their names," said Bortz. "Today, we remember the ones who don't have a voice anymore to claim their rights."
"We all have disabilities in one way or another and we are also skilled in other areas," she added. "Special needs is about asking the entire society to listen to the needs of unique and special people. I am grateful to God for making me understand that I have to bring awareness to each one of us to make sure that we are all part of this society that embraces us from the ranks in institutions to the access to buses to schools, to healthcare, to jobs. That is why we are all here today."
After the rally concluded, those in attendance returned to the Freight Depot in a unity march to gather with other advocates, their families, friends and State Legislators including Senator Nan Orrock (D-Dist 36), Senator Vincent Fort (D-Dist 39) and Representative Tommy Benton (R-Dist 31), to share a catered lunch and
reflect on the day.
There was also an awards ceremony held at the post-rally event to honor and celebrate the work of several of Georgia's self-advocates.
Georgia's Outstanding Self-Advocate of the Year Award was created in loving memory of Natalie Norwood Tumlin, who passed away in 2005. This award is presented annually at Disability Day by the Tumlin family, with assistance from GCDD, to recognize a self-advocate who demonstrates leadership qualities and brings self-determination to Georgia. This year Ken Mitchell, advocacy coordinator of DisABILITY Link and a strong believer in independent living, transportation advocacy and a mentor to numerous children since 1992, was recognized with this honor.
Accepting his award, Mitchell declared, "Thank you to the Tumlin family for even considering me for this award. We are all advocates. We are just everyday people living every day."
Additionally, the Samuel Mitchell Lifetime Achievement Award, created to honor the memory of Samuel Mitchell, an influential self-advocate who passed away in 2008, was awarded to Yvette Sangster, director of advocacy education at the Georgia Advocacy Office (GAO) and a nationally known disability advocate. Presented by Cheri Mitchell, wife of the late Samuel Mitchell, Mitchell brought Sangster to tears as she presented her with the award and said, "no one deserves this award more than Yvette. She has truly given her all."
After 15 years, with both long-time attendees and first timers, the annual Disability Day rally continues to thrive and each year is filled with more progress and hope. "I come back each year because I want to help myself and I want to help others," declared Krishna Goel, a sixth time attendee. "I am proud of myself and I am proud to be a part of this community."
Sidebar:
Thanks to Our Disability Day Sponsors:
Albany Advocacy Resource Center • Another Chance Customize Services, Inc. • Autism Society of Georgia • Brain & Spinal Injury Trust Fund Commission • Delmarva Foundation – GA Quality Management System • Fulton County Equal Employment • GAAPSE • Georgia Advocacy Office (GAO) • Georgia Association of Community Care Providers • Georgia Association of Community Service Boards • Georgia Council for Exceptional Children • Georgia Financing & Investment Commission • Kaleidoscope • Shepherd Center • SILC of Georgia, Inc. • The Arc of Bleckley County • The Arc of Georgia • United Cerebral Palsy • View Point Health Developmental Disabilities Services
What's Your Connection?
Since the Georgia Council on Developmental Disabilities' (GCDD) Annual Disability Day hit a milestone this year, it seemed fitting to share its theme with the US Department of Labor's Office of Disability Employment Policy's (ODEP) national campaign, "What's Your Connection?" celebrating the 10th anniversary of Disability.gov.
There are 57 million individuals with disabilities in the United States, and they are all connected to the people around them in some way. The "What's Your Connection?" campaign emphasizes a disability as a universal link that each of us have in common and encourages inclusion in all aspects of life. From sons and daughters, sisters and brothers, parents and grandparents, coworkers, neighbors and friends, we are all connected to each other in some way whether you have a disability or not.
As part of the national campaign, ODEP launched the "What's Your Connection?" initiative on October 30, 2012 to invite people nationwide to submit a captioned photograph or video that answers the question, "What's your connection to disability?" spark conversations and build support for inclusion of people with disabilities in the workplace and in communities. The campaign will run until July 31, 2013. For more information or to submit a "What's Your Connection?" piece, visit www.disability.gov/home/newsroom/what's_your_connection.
At the 15th Annual Disability Day, Partnerships for Success (PFS), a high school-based program designed to promote relationships between young people with disabilities and their peers through leadership building, recreation and social activities, community service and other shared experiences that allow all students to make contributions to their school and community at large, set up a booth at the Georgia Freight Depot for the pre-rally to share how its clubs were staying connected and participating in the "What's Your Connection?" campaign.
Over 226 students, leaders and adults from PFS representing schools in various counties including Flowery Branch High, West Hall High, North Hall High, Chestatee High, East Hall High, CW Davis Middle, Project Success at the Lanier Career Academy, Apalachee High, Colquitt County High and Woodland High came to the pre-rally to interact with the crowd and discover how others were connecting in the community, as well as showcase works that they had already submitted to the national campaign. Although the students have until July to submit stories to the "What's Your Connection?" campaign, PFS received about 30 stories to feature at its booth for Disability Day.
"We live in a diverse world where it is essential for all students to learn acceptance and tolerance. It is important for students with and without disabilities to connect with each other and see what they have in common so they can fully understand the meaning and importance of inclusion," said Cindy Saylor, PFS program coordinator who promoted the "What's Your Connection?" theme at Disability Day. "The relationships we form are key to helping us connect with others in our community."
Dottie Adams, GCDD's individual and family supports director, worked with PFS to engage with attendees at Disability Day and created an interactive wallpaper board allowing people to share insight on questions including "What is your connection to disability?" "What is your connection with disability?" and "How are you connected in the community?"
From young kids to adults, attendees filled the wallpaper and contributed to exploring the Disability Day theme.
