GCDD Summer in Full Swing
The following article is the Viewpoint article from the Summer 2013 Making a Difference magazine. Click here to read the entire magazine.
GCDD Summer in Full Swing
It's summer time and I am always reminded of the Martha & The Vandellas song, "Dancing in the Street" – "Callin' out around the world, are you ready for a brand new beat? Summer's here and the time is right for dancin' in the street." It's the time of year when kids are out of school, people go on vacation and everyone takes a breath before the fall and the hustle and bustle begins again.
Well that's how it used to feel anyway. Nowadays it seems there is little time to slow down and that is true for us at the Georgia Council on Developmental Disabilities (GCDD). This edition provides a hint to what is going on in preparation for the fall and even winter for the legislative session. However, we didn't want to miss out on the summer fun, and we offer some ideas and tips for thinking about how to access some of the many activities available such as going to camp or participating in sports activities. More and more, organizers of these activities are finding ways to welcome kids with disabilities into their programs to participate with their typical peers. It is the way things should be – kids playing with kids.
For others it's also the time of year for preparing for college, maybe for the first time. In Georgia, 19 students with disabilities at Kennesaw State University have had the opportunity to participate in the college experience. Now, thanks to the legislature and the work of advocates, more students will get the opportunity for Inclusive Post-Secondary Education, as additional colleges and universities will begin developing the supports necessary for students with disabilities to be a part of campus life.
For GCDD, the summer means we are organizing a summit for students with and without disabilities to come together and learn about how they can create change in their communities. We hope that a group of kids can show us what it means to join together and make places that are better for everyone.
Additionally, GCDD's Real Communities Initiative will be expanding this fall. Over 100 people attended three workshops to learn how they can join this Initiative, and GCDD staff will be meeting with groups over the summer to determine if they are the right fit.
Finally, there's been much controversy about "Ava's Law," a bill that would require insurance companies to cover autism therapies for children with disabilities, and we provide an overview on the different stances. Therapies can be quite expensive and many parents are looking for alternative ways to pay for them. However, many are concerned about some of the therapies that are currently being used. This is legislation that will be debated in next year's legislative session, so let your representatives know what you think.
There is a lot happening so stay tuned to Making a Difference and through GCDD's website and Facebook page. We hope you enjoy reading this magazine and we want to hear from you. Let us know what you like or don't like by writing to .
