Public Policy for the People: Advocacy Is More Important Than Ever

Hello advocates! How are you doing?!

My name is Charlie Miller, and I work at the Georgia Council on Developmental Disabilities (GCDD). My job is to help people speak up for disability rights. I'm excited to share this January newsletter about what's happening in Georgia's government.

The holidays are over, and it's almost time for one of my favorite events: the 2026 Georgia State Legislative Session. This is when Georgia's lawmakers meet to make new laws. The work we do to speak up for people with disabilities is becoming more important than ever. The decisions lawmakers make will directly affect people with disabilities, their families, and the programs that help them across Georgia.

This article will help you understand:

• What happens during the legislative session
• How you can get involved
• How to join GCDD's Advocacy Days
• What's happening with federal laws

Most importantly, this is your invitation to show up, speak out, and make sure lawmakers think about the disability community when they make decisions.

Let's get ready to advocate together!

Getting Ready for Georgia's Legislative Session

Every year, Georgia has a legislative session. This is when state representatives and senators travel to Atlanta to debate new laws and decide how the state will spend money. These state lawmakers are different from members of Congress. Georgia legislators work part-time, which means they only meet for a short time each year.

The Georgia General Assembly starts meeting in the second week of January and usually ends in late March. They only meet for 40 days, which is one of the shortest sessions in the country. Because time is short, lawmakers have to work fast. They look at hundreds of bills, but only a few actually become laws.

During those 40 days, legislators vote on things that affect our daily lives, including:

• Voting rights
• Jobs and employment
• Education
• Healthcare
• Medicaid waiver services that help people with developmental disabilities

Because there isn't much time, lawmakers really need to hear from the people they represent. They need to know what matters most to their communities.

This is where you come in.

As an advocate, you can help your local lawmaker understand how their decisions affect real people. To make this easier, use our Find Your Legislator tip sheet on how to find and meet with your legislator. It helps you find your representatives and even gives you a script to help you contact them.

GCDD is always here to help you get ready. We can help you write a message, understand a bill, or plan a visit to the Capitol. One of the best ways to advocate is to build a relationship with your local legislator. You are the expert on your own life, and lawmakers learn a lot when they hear directly from you.

GCDD Advocacy Days

Advocates at the Capitol During Last Year's Advocacy DaysGCDD is excited to announce our 2026 Advocacy Days! This is an important part of our work every year. We bring together advocates, self-advocates, family members, and community partners to talk directly with lawmakers about disability issues that matter most.

Each Advocacy Day focuses on specific topics that affect our community. Last year, hundreds of advocates came to the Capitol across three different days, and together we made real change. Because you spoke up, Georgia became a leader in ending subminimum wages (very low pay) for people with disabilities.

That success didn't just happen. It happened because advocates showed up, shared their stories, and asked for change.

This year's Advocacy Days are:

• January 28: NOW and COMP Waiver Day
• February 4: K-12 Education Day
• March 4: Choose Your Own Adventure Day

Each day is a chance to learn, get involved, and advocate with others who care about disability rights. Watch for the Advocacy Day link so you can join us at the Capitol and make a real difference in your community.

GCDD will also share information throughout the session about other ways to get involved, including hearings, meetings, and opportunities to share your opinions publicly.

Why the State Budget Matters

One of the most important jobs of the Georgia General Assembly is passing the state budget. Georgia's budget is over 37 billion dollars, and it affects every person in Georgia. It pays for our roads, public schools, police and fire departments, and most importantly for us, disability services and supports.

Medicaid waiver programs like NOW and COMP are run by two state departments: the Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Disabilities and the Department of Community Health. These programs need enough money to work properly. They help people with disabilities live, work, and take part in their communities.

Right now, more than 8,000 people with disabilities in Georgia are on a waiting list for services. The budget decisions made during this session will decide whether that list gets longer or shorter.

The House and Senate will hold public meetings and budget hearings. We strongly encourage advocates to attend these meetings or contact their legislators directly. We need to make sure lawmakers understand how important it is to fund programs for the disability community. This is a time when our voices together can really make a difference.

Federal Policy Update

At the federal level (the U.S. government in Washington, D.C.), the past year has been uncertain. In our last update, we were in the middle of the longest government shutdown in United States history, with many important issues still unresolved. Right now, there is a temporary funding plan in place to keep the government running through the end of January, but there's still a risk of another shutdown.

Federal legislators are working to keep the government open. What happens at the federal level can affect state programs, funding, and services that support people with disabilities. GCDD will keep watching these developments and sharing updates with you.

Wrapping It Up

Caring about your community and speaking up for it go hand in hand. Advocacy is not something you can just watch from the sidelines. You can't sit back and expect change to happen on its own.

We would love to have you at the Capitol this session, advocating with us and reminding lawmakers why the disability community needs to be heard on these important issues. When we work together, we make sure that disability voices are not just included, but are at the center of the conversation.

Advocacy is more important than ever. Over the past year, our community has come together to make real progress, and we're going to keep pushing forward in 2026. Stay connected, stay informed, and stay involved. Together, we can make sure that public policy truly works for the people.