When it comes to inclusive education in Georgia, the Georgia Coalition for Equity and Education (GCEE) is changing how families advocate for children with disabilities in schools. This organization is making sure their voices are heard.  Leslie Lipson, Lipson AdvocacyLed by longtime disability rights attorney Leslie Lipson, founder of Lipson Advocacy, GCEE was launched in 2015. The launch came in the wake of a major civil rights investigation into Georgia’s segregated school program known as GNETS, or Georgia Network for Educational and Therapeutic Supports. The U.S. Department of Justi…

June 22, 1999, marks a pivotal moment in the history of disability rights in the United States—the Supreme Court's landmark Olmstead Decision was made into law. Two Georgian self-advocates Lois Curtis and Elaine Wilson, who lived with developmental and psychiatric disabilities, argued that it was discrimination to unjustifiably isolate people in institutions when they could live in the community.  This ruling has significantly influenced the lives of individuals with disabilities, aiming to ensure their right to live in community settings rather than being unnecessarily institutionalize…

The push for comprehensive reforms in services for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities (I/DD) is gaining renewed momentum in Georgia. At the heart of this effort lies the Innovation Commission Bill, an ambitious piece of legislation introduced by State Senator Sally Harrell (D-District 40) aimed at addressing longstanding issues in the I/DD community. As the bill prepares to make its way through the legislative process once again, its proponents are reflecting on the challenges, progress, and the vision for a future where the needs of this vulnerable population are me…

Georgia Options Executive Director, Pamela Walley, and daughter, Callie, pose for a selfie“The world will be missing out if we don’t do what is necessary. And we clearly have shown that what is necessary are these Direct Support Professionals,” remarked Pam Walley, executive director of Georgia Options. “We're going to miss out on the contributions of a lot of really talented, wonderful, giving, creative, amazing people,” she added. Walley’s work at Georgia Options helps support people with disabilities in their homes and in the community. But, just like other disability support organizatio…

Carla’s Story of Independence, Dignity, and the Power of Support For many Americans with disabilities, Medicaid is more than just a healthcare program—it's the foundation for a life of independence, stability, and hope. Carla Geeslin, a self-advocate in Macon, GA, relies on Medicaid services and recently shared her story and the critical role this support plays in her life and the lives of countless others. “Life’s been good,” Carla said. “I get to see a doctor and I have a place to live.”  Routine healthcare and stable housing are things many take for granted, but they are made pos…

Session is out and we are in the middle of summer, but the perfect time to advocate is now. We’ve experienced many changes over the past few months. These include funding shifts at the federal level to key developments within the Department of Education. Now is the time to speak up for what matters most. Speak up for both federal and state issues. Georgia has started talking about how to handle the problems that are coming. This is especially important because no one knows exactly what will happen next. The Georgia state legislature has finished their work for the year. Since then, the Ge…

For most kids, summer is one of the most wonderful times of the year. And one thing that makes it pretty awesome is summer camp. There was a time when children and young adults with developmental disabilities (DD) didn’t have access to the same summertime activities as many others. However, more programs are emerging to give everyone enjoyable experiences while adding the life skills of self-confidence, leadership, and character building. In the U.S., summer camps are a $3.5 billion industry, with about 26 million school-aged kids (about a third of the population) attending for at least a we…

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…

New technology is changing quickly, and many people find it hard to know how to use it safely or well. Tools powered by artificial intelligence (AI) can make everyday tasks easier and support independence. At the same time, they can raise concerns about false information, privacy, and access. These challenges are often even greater for people with intellectual or developmental disabilities (I/DD) because technology is not always designed with their needs in mind. Mark FriedmanDisability advocates in Georgia and across the country are working to make sure new technology helps people with disa…

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…

March is Developmental Disabilities Awareness Month, a national campaign that began in 1987. It reminds us that people with intellectual and developmental disabilities (I/DD) are important members of our communities and should be fully included in all parts of life—school, work, recreation, and community activities. In this article, you will read about a young woman with I/DD who is living the life she chooses. She is building an independent and meaningful life with support from her family and the services provided by a Medicaid waiver. Mia Nobbie is a person with I/DD who leads an active…

The Georgia Council on Developmental Disabilities (GCDD) completed its information gathering process for the 2027-2031 Five-Year Strategic Plan. The feedback collected from across the state helped build a new strategic plan aimed at creating systems change for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities (I/DD) and their families. The final plan decides how GCDD will spend funding on advocacy and capacity-building activities. As part of the process, GCDD conducted focus groups, large townhall meetings and shared surveys with families, self-advocates, and providers to identify wher…