The disability rights movement lost one of its visionary leaders when John O'Brien passed away on June 27, 2025. For decades, O'Brien and his wife Connie Lyle O'Brien championed a simple belief: that every person deserves to be fully included in community life. His groundbreaking work changed how we think about disability. It moved goals beyond basic accommodations to pursue full community belonging. Belonging in schools, neighborhoods, and everyday conversations. He emphasized the importance of listening to people with disabilities and their families and learning from their experiences. …

In September, the disability rights community mourned the loss of Shelly Simmons. Simmons was a pioneer for Georgia’s disability movement and served as the Executive Director of the Statewide Independent Living Council of Georgia. She passed away on August 29.  Simmons grew up in Englewood, California, and was diagnosed at 13 years old with Muscular Dystrophy. She was passionate about sports and earned a degree in Sports Communication from California State University. Her goal was to become a sports broadcaster. As her Muscular Dystrophy progressed, Simmons shifted her focus away from…

Brook Kubik, a council member for the Georgia Council on Developmental Disabilities, went to the 2025 Disability Seminar in Washington, D.C. She returned to Georgia with more than policy updates – she came back with a new understanding of the strength of relationships, the importance of advocating with heart and facts, and the power of telling stories that help people connect. The Disability Policy Seminar is held every year in Washington, D.C. It brings together self-advocates, families, professionals and policymakers from across the country to discuss disability-related public policy. This…

Discover stories of courage, creativity, and leadership from people with disabilities in Georgia and beyond. Learn how disability justice connects to Harriet Tubman’s legacy of strength at the Tubman African American Museum in Macon. “Embracing Possibility: Georgia’s Disability Justice Journey” helps change how people think about disability. Through art, interactive activities, and real stories, the exhibit shares the history of disability justice and highlights the strength of people with intellectual disabilities, their families, and communities. Each section shows what’s possible and en…

The "Embracing Possibility: Georgia's Disability Justice Journey" exhibit opened this May at the Tubman Museum in Macon, GA. The opening celebration celebrated the exhibit's goal to change how people think about people with disabilities and honor the work that people with disabilities have done throughout Georgia's history. The opening welcomed hundreds of people from across Georgia to the museum for an evening that combined music, powerful artwork, and meaningful connections in Georgia’s disability community. The event, which was the official launch of this year-long exhibit, featured the G…

The Georgia Council on Developmental Disabilities (GCDD) is excited to announce the upcoming ”Embracing Possibility: Georgia’s Disability Justice Journey” exhibit at the Tubman African American Museum in Macon, Georgia. The opening celebration will be held on Sunday, May 18, 2025 from 3:00 to 5:00 PM at the museum, located at 310 Cherry Street, Macon, GA 31201. Waddie Welcome and the Beloved Community Quilt by Beth MountThe exhibit, which will run from May 2025 through June 2026, aims to redefine how people with disabilities are perceived in society by showcasing their courage, creativity, a…

The Georgia Council on Developmental Disabilities (GCDD) is pleased to announce the addition of four new council members. These Georgians will bring new voices and ideas to the 28-member Council. These members will help make important decisions about services and support for people with disabilities in Georgia. The new members are: Brooke Baumgardner, advocate, Johns Creek, GA Mariana Ortiz-Padilla, family member, Smyrna, GA Laraleigh Windom, family member, Cumming, GA Steven Wright, advocate, Carrollton, GA GCDD is part of a network of 56 Councils across the United States. These Co…

Jacquelyn Daniel, founder of ConnectAbility in Dahlonega is the 2025 Spirit of Kim Unsung Hero Award Winner! This award celebrates individuals who demonstrate selfless service to Georgia's intellectual and developmental disability (I/DD) community. The winner shows the same giving spirit as GCDD's late Office Manager Kim Person. Kim worked for the Council for 19 years and passed away suddenly in July 2023. Jacquelyn Daniel with Kim Person's mother, Barbara GoldstonThe award recognizes individuals who make an impact, often behind the scenes, to advance GCDD's mission of promoting social and p…

Rena Harris is the Georgia Council on Developmental Disabilities’ (GCDD) new Chief Program Officer. Rena will lead efforts across Georgia to improve services for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities. She will make sure their voices are heard and that the agency's work represents all of Georgia's disability community. With more than 25 years of experience in disability rights and human services, Rena brings deep expertise in policy advocacy, community engagement, and organizational leadership. She holds an undergraduate degree in Psychology and a master’s degree in Applied…

Ariel Edwards (LMSW), is the Georgia Council on Developmental Disabilities’ (GCDD) new Program and Policy Specialist whose role focuses on policy research, project management, and initiatives that support Georgians with developmental disabilities. Ariel oversees GCDD’s inclusive post-secondary education (IPSE) programs and the Georgia Inclusive Post-Secondary Education Consortium (GAIPSEC). In this role, Ariel will also analyze policies to inform recommendations for systems change that includes working with GCDD’s public policy team and oversee the implementation of Georgia as a Model Employe…

The Georgia Council on Developmental Disabilities (GCDD) is in the final phases of gathering input for its 2027-2031 Five-Year Strategic Plan. Information gathered from stakeholders across the state will help GCDD form a strategic plan to create systems change for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities (I/DD) and their families. The final plan will guide projects that help the Council influence public policy at both state and federal levels, support capacity building through technical assistance and grants, facilitate discussions on creating change, and promote…

Something special is happening in Macon, Georgia, on Sunday, April 12, 2026. An exciting event called Reimagining Schools, Neighborhoods & Faith Communities to Include All Children and Youth will take place from 2 to 4 PM at the Tubman Museum, located at 310 Cherry Street. This free event brings together some powerful organizations all working toward the same goal — making sure every child and young person feels like they truly belong. The groups behind it include the Center on Human Development and Disability at the University of Georgia (CHDD UGA), the Georgia Council on Developme…

The Georgia Council on Developmental Disabilities (GCDD) continues to seek public input for its 2027-2031 Five-Year Strategic Plan project. Information gathered from stakeholders across the state will help GCDD form a strategic plan to create systems change for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities (I/DD) and their families. The final plan will guide projects that help the Council influence public policy at both state and federal levels, support capacity building through technical assistance and grants, facilitate discussions on creating change, and promote public aware…

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…