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GCDD’s Media Roundtable & Public Forum Receive Media Coverage in Savannah

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The Georgia Council on Developmental Disabilities (GCDD) is holding a media roundtable, its quarterly meeting and public forum in Savannah, GA. Residents of Effingham and Chatham Counties, as well as others are invited to share their ideas and get updates on policy and programs which affect people with developmental disabilities. As the meetings are getting underway, GCDD has gained media coverage in the area. The following are several media coverage articles that have featured GCDD’s meetings:

  • WTOC Online:
    “GCDD Holds Disability Roundtable in Savannah”
    http://www.wtoc.com/story/17388578/ga-council-on-developmental-disabilities-holds-roundtable

    Posted: Apr 11, 2012 6:12 PM EDT Updated: May 02, 2012 10:20 PM EDT

    SAVANNAH, GA (WTOC) -

    Did you know that one in five Georgians has some sort of disability? That is why there is a new effort to help people with developmental disabilities in Chatham and Effingham counties. The Georgia Council on Developmental Disabilities is reaching out through the media to brainstorm for ways to spread the word, focusing on all sorts of issues from basic education to accessible transportation and reforms.

    "We are really interested in the idea of expanding accessible transportation and for us, the CAT Freedom program is a great example of telling people with disabilities that we are going to make it easy and help you get around," said Eric Jacobson, GCDD Executive Director.

    The council holds two roundtables every year outside Atlanta to get feedback and ideas from different communities.

  • Savannah State University
    Posting of GCDD’s Media Advisory
    http://www.tigersroar.com/2012/04/media-roundtable-on-developmental-disabilities-issues/ (This link is no longer active.)

    MEDIA ROUNDTABLE ON DEVELOPMENTAL DISABILITIES ISSUES

    News, Discussion Opportunity With Leaders About Community Life for Georgians with Developmental Disabilities

    WHAT: Media representatives from Effingham and Chatham counties have an opportunity to interact in a roundtable discussion hosted by the Georgia Council on Developmental Disabilities (www.GCDD.org ). Critical and timely quality of life issues impacting people and families living with developmental disabilities will be explored, along with fresh, new ways for effective coverage. Questions and discussion are encouraged.

    Topics include:

    * Accessible Transportation – Various initiatives and proposals are in the public eye, such as accessible taxis and the statewide Transportation Investment Act. Improvements in transportation are of vital concern to all people, including those with disabilities.
    * an overview and update on “Real Communities,” a concept which creates communities that allow persons with developmental disabilities to participate in every aspect of life through RealCareers, Real Homes, Real Learning, Real Influence and Real Supports. GCDD is spearheading this concept with community builders supported inseven projects throughout the state, including one in Savannah. Theconcept uses the ABCD model (Asset Based Community Development) as itscore philosophy for creating strong, welcoming communities.
    * GCDD’s legislative agenda – now that the session has concludedunder the Gold Dome, attendees will hear what reforms have been proposed and which agenda items disability advocates should call to the attentionof local representatives for next year’s session.
    * “The Missing Pages In Your Style Book” – an overview of“People First Language,” a style guide for writing and speaking about people who live with disabilities for journalists and othercommunicators, to illustrate how proper representation in the media canoffset prejudices and perceptions.

    WHY: One in five Georgians has a disability and greater than 50 million Americans have some type of disability as an occurrence of birth, injury or longevity.

    WHO: WHO SHOULD ATTEND: Publishers, Managing Editors, News Directors, Editorial Page Directors, Reporters

    Discussion Leaders and Participants Include:
    * Kim Anderson: Chatham Area Transit (CAT) Freedom mobility services manager
    * Esma Campbell: parent advocate, Armstrong Atlantic State University assistant professor, GCDD advisory member
    * Jake Hodesh: Chatham-Savannah Citizen Advocacy volunteer, Creative Coast founder
    * Tom Kohler: Chatham-Savannah Citizen Advocacy coordinator
    * Valerie Ragland: Chatham Area Transit (CAT) Freedom marketing and communications manager
    * Teri Schell: Forsyth Farmer’s Market co-founder, GCDD community builder
    * Tom Seegmueller: GCDD chair , parent advocate
    * Moderator: Eric E. Jacobson, GCDD executive director

    The Georgia Council on Developmental Disabilities (GCDD), a federally funded, independent state agency, works to bring about social and policy changes that promote opportunities for persons with developmental disabilities and their families to live, learn, work, play and worship in Georgia communities. A developmental disability is a chronic mental and/or physical disability that occurs before age 22 and is expected to last a lifetime. It may require supports in three or more of the following life activities: self-care, language, learning, mobility, self-direction, independent living and economic self-sufficiency. Visit www.gcdd.org for more information.

    WHEN: WED., APRIL 11, 2012: 11:30 A.M. – 1:00 P.M.
    Lunch will be provided.
    Please RSVP by April 9 to: Valerie Meadows Suber, (404) 657-2122

    WHERE: Creative Coast
    15 West York Street, Savannah, Georgia 31401

    CONTACT: Valerie Meadows Suber, Public Information Director
    Georgia Council on Developmental Disabilities
    404-657-2122 (office); 404-226-0343 (mobile)


    Valerie Meadows Suber
    Georgia Council On Developmental Disabilities
    Public Information Director
    Editor-In-Chief, Making A Difference Magazine

  • GCDD interview on The Savannah Morning Show
    http://www.thecoastalsource.com/content/features/goodmorning/story/Georgia-Council-on-Developmental-Disabilities-host/QN3wkxOx_E-3UIvQ_fQBnw.cspx (This link is no longer active.)

    Georgia Council on Developmental Disabilities hosts forum

    The Georgia Council on Developmental Disabilities is hosting a forum in Savannah on Thursday (4/12). Eric Jacobson, the GCDD Executive Director and Esma  Campbell, a GCDD advisory member and professor at Armstrong Atlantic State  University stopped by Good Morning Savannah and talked to Rob about the event  and the progress people with developmental disabilities have made in recent years.

    The  GCDD says that one in five Georgians has some type of disability from birth, injury, or longevity. Jacobson said that 58 million Americans have some type of disability. “Our role is to create the social and policy changes necessary so that people can live in communities that welcome everybody, including those with developmental disabilities,” Jacobson  said.

    Jacobson said that Georgia is currently under a Department of Justice settlement, which will require all people with developmental disabilities to be moved out  of public institutions by 2015. “That means we have to create the home and community based services necessary for them to be productive and independent in their life,” he said.

    The Savannah forum is a way to bring people together to talk about some of the issues affecting the disabled community. Local and state officials will be on hand to gather input from the public. Some of the topics covered will include employment, education, transportation, and housing.

    Jacobson said they will talk about some of the challenges, as well as the triumphs and  try to build on past successes. He said housing has become more accessible for people with disabilities, but many challenges remain. For example, he would like to see new houses built with no-step entrances.

    Campbell’s son has cerebral palsy and other developmental disabilities. She said public forums provide a way for people with disabilities and their families to have their voices heard and learn. “I hope that they will see that there are things in the community going on that are very positive and they will find a  way to connect and hopefully take advantages of some of those opportunities.”

    The forum will be held Thursday night (4/12) from 5:30 to 7:00 p.m. at the Hilton Savannah DeSoto Hotel at 15 East Liberty Street. For more information on the Georgia Council on Developmental Disabilities, you can head to their website at www.gcdd.org.