Synergies Work, a business incubator for people with disabilities, is expanding its offerings to help even more new entrepreneurs start their businesses. Synergies Work was founded by Aarti Sahgal, a parent of a young adult with Down Syndrome. “The last few months have been transformational,” said Sahgal. First known for its i2i (Idea to Incubation) Program, Synergies Work’s mission is to inspire people with disabilities to discover their talents and turn them into sustainable businesses. Synergies Work believes in raising the bar for individuals with disabilities by challenging the soft bi…

The National Business Association says that small businesses are the backbone of our economy. They create two out of every three new jobs in the country. They also make up almost half of all the money and goods that America produces each year. Many organizations support small businesses through funding, connections, and mentorship. But until 2016, none of these groups chose to include business owners who have disabilities. Synergies Work was launched in 2016 to close the opportunity and wealth gaps between the disability and business communities. Founder and CEO Aarti Sahgal wanted to create…

Charlie Miller, GCDD Legislative Advocacy DirectorThe legislative session officially ended on Friday, April 4, 2025 at 10:30 p.m. It wrapped up earlier than usual and without much fanfare, but Georgia's disability community made great strides in advancing strong public policy for the entire state. Georgia has one of the shortest legislative sessions in the country — just 40 working days. That means any bill hoping to become law must be introduced, debated, and voted on within that tight window, and there are many steps between a bill’s introduction and the governor’s signature. In this arti…

Georgians with developmental disabilities, family members, providers, and DD network partners traveled from across the state of Georgia to join the Georgia Council on Developmental Disabilities (GCDD) for its annual Advocacy Days event series at the Georgia State Capitol. The purpose was to meet with lawmakers to champion the rights and well-being of Georgians with intellectual and developmental disabilities (I/DD). GCDD hosts three Advocacy Days each year during the legislative session, where each day focuses on a pivotal issue dedicated to increasing community living and opportunities for…

The Developmental Disabilities (DD) Network is a group of organizations working together to improve services and supports for people with DD in every state. This network is authorized under the Developmental Disabilities Assistance and Bill of Rights Act of 2000 (DD Act) with oversight from the Administration for Community Living (ACL). The DD Network is made up of three partners: State Councils on Developmental Disabilities (DD Councils), University Centers for Excellence in Developmental Disabilities (UCEDDs), and Protection & Advocacy Systems (P&As). These partners are charged wit…

One of the most effective ways to transcend ideas of equity and justice is through the teachings of those who came before us. A movement is only as strong as the lived experience of its advocates and allies. In the world of disability rights, history has laid a solid foundation, but young people are the key to continued progress. “Believe me,” said Javier Cremer, a second-year student at Georgia Tech University’s Excel program, “if I hadn’t become an advocate with a disability, I couldn’t find my true self right now.” Cremer is amongst the few that are a part of the upcoming generation of d…

Every July, the United States celebrates Disability Pride Month. This month is a time for people with disabilities to feel proud of who they are, speak up about their rights, and celebrate being seen and heard in their communities. It is also a time to celebrate the history, strength, and experiences of people with disabilities. Disability Pride Month began when the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) became law on July 26, 1990. The ADA made it against the law to treat people with disabilities unfairly. This included in schools, at work, and in public places like restaurants and buses. Th…