Viewpoint: Successful Advocacy
This has been a good year! As I write, the 2016 General Assembly is still meeting but we can expect $3.7 million in new funds to increase the rates for the Independent Care Waiver Program. This means that individuals with significant physical disabilities can pay direct support professionals a rate that will allow them to hire quality staff. Many struggle to find attendant care and better rates should help.
The Achieving a Better Life Experience (ABLE) Act will soon become law and provide families a way to save money without endangering an individual’s benefits. Individuals can use the funds in these accounts to purchase a new van, buy supported employment services or pay tuition for inclusive post-secondary education programs like the one available at Kennesaw State University.
Our success came because there was help and support from legislators, individuals, families, advocates and providers. It was a coalition of people working on Employment First, the waiting lists, ABLE and other issues that came together; attended Advocacy Days; and met with their legislators to explain why we needed more money or legislation.
Almost 3,000 people attended the 18th and final Disability Day at the Capitol. As I said there, the Georgia Council on Developmental Disabilities (GCDD) believes our advocacy can be more effective through supporting smaller and more frequent efforts. The purpose of Disability Day was to connect individuals and families with their legislators. This cannot happen when there are 3,000 people gathered at the Freight Depot. Instead, we hope that groups of 25 to 50 people will attend Advocacy Days where they can learn more about the issues and get a chance to speak with their State Senator and Representative. This should help us in building a network of people statewide who have relationships with elected officials and can share their story. We thank all who have attended Disability Day and hope you will attend at least one advocacy day next year.
We can only go so far in our advocacy efforts unless we have elected officials who support our cause. This November, not only will we elect a new President, but many other elected offices will be filled. A coalition of advocacy organizations is working to support efforts to make sure that people with disabilities go to the polls and vote. People with disabilities are the second largest minority and those running for office should take notice that if you want our vote, you need to support our efforts. Make sure you know where the candidates stand on issues important to people with disabilities.
Finally, as this edition goes to print look for information about GCDD’s new strategic plan.
We will need your input to make sure we continue on the right track. I also want to say thank
you to Caitlin Childs who is leaving GCDD after six years. We wish her the best of luck in her future endeavors.
Remember that GCDD is here to assist you. Check out our website and join our advocacy network so that you can stay informed. We hope you enjoy reading this magazine and we want to hear from you. Let us know your thoughts and comments about the magazine by writing to our Editor at
Eric E. Jacobson
Executive Director, GCDD
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