July 2025

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 Gifted Harmony Choir and performances by Dean Brown. Their talents created an atmosphere of joy and celebration that perfectly captured the spirit of the disability rights movement in Georgia.

Participants left the opening celebration with renewed energy and thoughts on disability. One attendee said that the exhibit "helped restore a bit of my faith and humanity.” Other attendees described feeling "joy and renewed" after experiencing the exhibit for the first time. Many visitors said that the displays made them think about "the endless possibilities that exist in the disability community."

The exhibit shows how disability justice has grown in Georgia while highlighting the ongoing work needed to create a truly inclusive society.

Gillian Grable from the Institute on Human Development and Disability at the University of Georgia is a member of the exhibit organizing committee. "Seeing the community come together to celebrate our shared history and picture our future together was exactly what we hoped for," said Grable. "This exhibit isn't just about the past. It's about people seeing themselves as part of a movement for inclusion. The excitement in the room tonight shows that Georgia is ready to support our disability community."

Attendees felt the opening celebration was a success, showing the need in Georgia's communities for real stories of disability experiences and history. The goal of the exhibit is to create a lasting impact that extends far beyond the walls of the Tubman Museum.

The "Embracing Possibility" exhibit will remain at the Tubman Museum through June 2026 giving visitors to the museum an opportunity to engage and learn more about Georgia’s history. The extended run ensures that school groups, families, and community organizations can see the exhibit within the year.

There is more planned programming to support the exhibit. That includes family days and book readings featuring authors who have contributed to disability literature and advocacy.

The event was made possible through the generous support of the following partners:

• The Arc Macon
• Center for Leadership in Disability
• Crimminz & Associates
• Derek’s Doodles
• Georgia Advocacy Office
• Georgia Council on Developmental Disabilities
• Inclusion Press
• Institute on Human Development and Disability at the University of Georgia
• Otis W. Butler Youth Foundation
• Sangha Unity Network
• The Shefa Fund
• Southern Poverty Law Center of Georgia
• Tubman African American Museum
• Walton Options
• Wesley Glen Ministries
• Wesleyan College
• Dr. Beth Mount, Val Bradley, Bob Herrin, Sally Lockwood, Cynthis Moe and many other disability advocates throughout the state of Georgia

For more information about the exhibit, follow GCDD’s social media channels or visit https://tubmanmuseum.com/embracing-possibility/ or www.gcdd.org for upcoming Embracing Possibility events.

Guardianship isn't always the answer. Supported Decision Making is an alternative to guardianship. Some people with disabilities might need limited guardianship or conservatorship. But many people with disabilities don't need it. There are often better ways to get support.

My son was put under guardianship. This affected our whole family. Looking back, we didn't need guardianship at all. Here is our story.

John is one of my five children who is autistic and does not use his voice to communicate. Because of his disability, his inability to talk or communicate broadly, and his significant daily support needs, we were unsure of the future. As John grew up, one of our fears was that some medical emergency would occur and that we would not be able to make decisions for him. His pediatrician told us that we needed to get guardianship of John before he turned 18. There is a lot of pressure on parents of children with disabilities to take away their rights through guardianship. Before John turned 18, we consulted with an attorney who told us (incorrectly, as we later discovered) that because John could not reliably communicate with a wide audience, we should be his guardians. I’m embarrassed to admit that we became John’s guardians based on this person’s recommendation.

Several years after the guardianship began, John learned to communicate by pointing to letters on a laminated board. This changed John’s life, and it changed his ability to specifically state his desires. John was clear on not wanting to be under guardianship. Although he made many of his own decisions, he felt less than a whole person because he lacked rights that most other people enjoy.

When John was 24 years old, he terminated his guardianship. For John, the process was not that difficult since he had gained the use of written communication. For many others, it is very difficult to get out from under guardianship.

In John’s letter to the probate judge, he stated his reasons for wanting to terminate his guardianship: “I am really no different than any other 24-year-old man. My hopes and dreams are that I can live independently in a place that I choose with whomever I choose. The same is true of what type of work I do. It's my choice to be a public speaker. I already make my own medical decisions thanks to the view that my parents have of me as an adult. I want employers and doctors to recognize that I have the right to decide what work I do and what medications I take. I want them to work with me accordingly.”

People with disabilities can and should have the opportunity to make their own decisions. Supported Decision Making was John’s pathway to terminating his guardianship. Supported Decision Making is a way for people with disabilities to get control over their lives. The concept is simple. All people, all ages, all races, all socioeconomic levels get support when they are making decisions. Think about an important decision you made recently. What was it about and who did you talk to when you needed more information or just wanted to bounce alternatives around? The idea of Supported Decision Making for people with disabilities is to formalize that process that we all use.

A person with a disability may need to have more or different support depending upon the situation. The most important aspect is that the person with a disability decides what areas they need help with and what kind of help they need. Decisions are not made for them, they are made by them. By making the guardianship discussion one of the first we have about people with disabilities transitioning to adulthood, we do them a great disservice and strip them of their personhood.

Before guardianship is considered, Supported Decision Making should be introduced and the person with a disability should be given chances to create a support network that will help them to make decisions. You can learn more from “I Decide Georgia” at https://idecidega.org/.

For many people with disabilities, finding independence, purpose, and a full life in the community can be a daily challenge. Centers for Independent Living (CILs) are community-based, non-residential organizations who help people who want to overcome these challenges. CILs are run by people with disabilities. Their philosophy is to support the goals of people with disabilities to live independently and find their voice as self-advocates. They are committed to helping people with disabilities live meaningful lives.

“We want to give individuals with disabilities a sense of purpose and let them know that there are other ways to live and embrace your disability for what it is,” said Shelly Simmons, Executive Director of the Statewide Independent Living Council of Georgia (SILC). “Individuals are uniquely made, and in that uniqueness, they are able to serve their community in special ways.”

The independent living movement started in the early 1970s with a group of University of California at Berkeley students with disabilities They founded the Berkeley Center for Independent Living. The goal of the center was to help people with disabilities speak up for themselves and make their own choices.

“A life with a disability used to be considered not worth living by the general public,” said Simmons. “People would provide you with some services and expect you to stay out of sight and out of mind. The pioneers of the independent living movement wanted more out of life.”
CILs provide five core services for individuals with disabilities:

• Individual and systemic advocacy
• Independent living skills training
• Peer mentorship
• Information and referral
• Transition support

Shelly Simmons, Executive Director of the Statewide Independent Living Council of GeorgiaThese services aim to equip people with disabilities with the necessary life skills for all stages and situations. This includes transitioning from schools or nursing homes, living independently as adults, and other life changes. Simmons herself is a living example of the benefits of a CIL.

“My disability took effect in my late 20s, when I received my first wheelchair,” explained Simmons. “I really didn’t know what I could do, wanted to do, or even how to make anything happen. I was referred to vocational rehab, which sent me to a center for independent living. That’s where I started to gain my voice.”

Simmons, a California native, began her career at an independent living center after college, where she discovered the power of advocacy. She later moved to Georgia, starting as a volunteer on the SILC board and eventually rising to executive director. Now Simmons can help other individuals with disabilities find their voices. However, she cautions that the path forward for CILs is not certain, particularly due to obstacles such as funding cuts.

“With the current administration, we don’t know what independent living will look like,” said Simmons. “I would love to see expansion; we have nine centers in Georgia, but those centers serve 159 counties, so there is certainly a need. However, we must ensure we have the funds necessary to provide quality services from qualified individuals and to pay these individuals equitably.”

Although not a part of Georgia’s DD Network, which includes the Georgia Council on Developmental Disabilities (GCDD), SILC is a key ally in advancing disability rights and inclusion.

Services from SILC are available to individuals with all types of disabilities. To access their services, go to the SILC website at https://www.silcga.org/ or call 770-270-6860 for a referral.

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. This was a huge win for people with disabilities because it gave them legal protection.

Before the ADA, many people with disabilities could not get jobs, go to school, or even enter buildings. Many buses and trains were not accessible. The ADA changed all of this by making it illegal to treat people with disabilities unfairly.

The first Disability Pride celebrations began in Boston in 1990, right after the law was passed. The celebrations became more popular when Chicago held the first disability pride parade in 2004. Today, millions of people across the country celebrate and participate in Disability Pride Month events.

The ADA was only one step toward creating a country where people with disabilities are truly included. Today, people with disabilities still face barriers. Many buildings are still not accessible. Some employers still refuse to hire people with disabilities. Students with disabilities sometimes do not get the help they need in school.

Disability pride means accepting yourself as you are. It means knowing that having a disability is nothing to be ashamed of. For many people, their disability is part of who they are, just like race, gender, and culture.

People with disabilities have made amazing contributions to our world. They are artists, teachers, doctors, athletes, and leaders. They write books, create music, and solve problems. Disability Pride Month celebrates all these achievements.

During this month, people attend events, share stories, or show pride through art, music, or social media. Some cities have parades and festivals. Schools and workplaces might have special programs to teach about disability history and rights.

By recognizing Disability Pride Month, we celebrate the progress made through the ADA and recognize the work that is still needed to make the world more accessible and fair for everyone.

The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) was signed into law on July 26, 1990, by former President George H. W. Bush This law created civil rights legislation that expanded the rights of people with disabilities.

For millions of Americans with disabilities, the 35th anniversary of the ADA is a time to celebrate. It is also a time to think about how people with disabilities worked together to get this law passed. This law was meant to make life better for people with disabilities. Today, the ADA helps make sure that people with disabilities can access places and be included in their communities. The law is enforced to make sure people with disabilities are treated fairly and equally.

“The ADA guarantees people with disabilities improved access to and accommodation in schools, transportation, workplaces, and government buildings and services,” said Devon Orland, Litigation Director for the Georgia Advocacy Office (GAO). “Furthermore, the ADA seeks to prevent the discrimination of individuals with disabilities from these institutions.”

“The ADA was not a fix-all,” said Leslie Kate Thornton, a council member with the Georgia Council on Developmental Disabilities (GCDD) and a self-advocate from south Georgia. “Some places still are not accessible even though they comply with the law. For example, bathroom sinks are not accessible for some people.”

Devon Orland, Litigation Director, Georgia Advocacy OfficeOne of the problems facing people with disabilities today is the challenge of enforcing the law and ensuring that businesses, organizations, and governments comply with the ADA’s requirements. For example, the ADA says that restaurants must have accessible entrances, including entrances with ramps and automatic doors. Many businesses today still do not provide accessible resources for people with disabilities. This means a person with a disability may have to file a complaint or even take legal action to fix the problem, which may take a lot of time and energy. Even though the ADA law is there to protect people with disabilities, it often falls on people with disabilities to advocate for themselves to ensure the law is enforced and implemented.

“The ADA has made a large impact on how individuals with disabilities operate within society; it allowed many people to get out of care facilities, for example,” said Orland. “However, a law is only as good as its enforcement, which is where legal issues often result.”

Although the ADA has made life better for people with disabilities in America, people with disabilities need to learn how to use their rights. They need to know how to make sure the law is followed, as written in the Constitution and the ADA. According to Orland, the first step to make sure these rights are respected is to ask for the help you need.

“I always think back on the time I earned a high school diploma, and they wouldn’t let me walk because I couldn’t wear heels,” Thornton said. “I had a whole team of allies who wrote, spoke, and even screamed because the rule was ridiculous.” Self-advocacy is vital for navigating issues surrounding disability rights and civil rights in general.

Generation ADA: Looking Back and Moving Forward

Mark Johnson, a long-time advocate and leader within the disability rights movement in Georgia, remembers life before the ADA and the Rehabilitation Act of 1973. After becoming paralyzed in an accident at age 20, Johnson personally experienced and witnessed what it was like to have a disability in America. Luckily for him, he knew how to act and advocate for himself during that time.

Mark Johnson, Advocate“54 years ago, there were not many protections for people with disabilities; the general public had low expectations of disabled people,” said Johnson. “You had to wing it and get together with support groups to do advocacy.”

Another problem Johnson saw before the ADA became law was not having enough money, and this still affects people with disabilities today. He says that several states, including North Carolina and Georgia, tried to make laws to protect people with disabilities in the early 1970s. Unfortunately, these laws could only work as well as the money they had to support them.

“We are now threatened with the reality that we may lose some of what we have, including funding,” said Johnson. “Ask someone on Medicaid how they are feeling right now. If the money comes down to the states in a reduced amount, home and community-based services will be on the chopping block. The question will become, ‘What optional programs still get funded?’”

In 1983, Johnson and his fellow advocates founded Americans Disabled for Accessible Public Transit (ADAPT)  This is a national organization focused on organizing around issues of accessibility and disability justice.  One of their first actions was to change public transportation around the country. They made sure that new Greyhound buses had lifts so people who use wheelchairs could get on the bus.The group eventually shifted their focus on the ADA, which Johnson  is a hard-fought battle for disability advocates.

“When the ADA was in the works, business associations pushed back hard,” recalled Johnson. “The Rehabilitation Act of 1973 was one thing since it used public funding, but the ADA wanted to reform the private sector, making businesses pay for the implementation. The resistance was strong.”

As the ADA went through the legislative process, many revisions were made as different groups gave their input. Even when these groups didn’t agree on everything, Johnson said the disability community stayed strong and worked together to support all kinds of people with disabilities and medical conditions.

The Importance of Continued Advocacy: Advocate and Inform State Lawmakers!

Even though the ADA has been law for almost 35 years, people with disabilities still need to speak up about issues that affect their lives. Today, some laws and political ideas could make life harder for people with disabilities—especially when it comes to Medicaid. That’s why speaking out and advocating is still very important.

Leslie Thornton, Advocate“Advocacy isn’t rocket science. You register to vote, develop relationships with your representatives, and get in front of them,” said Johnson. “We have to take responsibility; elections have consequences.”

Younger advocates, such as Thornton, may not remember a time before the ADA. But they  know that the injustice that remains. People with disabilities should always be willing to advocate for their rights and to enforce this law.  It is important to make sure our society keeps working to make things better for people with disabilities.

“Be noisy. We need to be noisy, and we need to safeguard Medicaid because that is our livelihood,” said Thornton. “Paper letters aren’t working; they go on a desk and sit. Emails sit in representatives’ inboxes. We have to speak up.”

Update as of June 13, 2025

As we reach the midpoint of 2025, the Georgia Council on Developmental Disabilities (GCDD) continues to track federal policies that may significantly impact Georgians with intellectual and developmental disabilities (I/DD). Over the past few weeks, critical discussions have been unfolding in Washington, D.C. These talks could change Medicaid and the future of the Developmental Disabilities (DD) Network.

Earlier this month, I traveled to Washington, D.C., alongside Ariel Edwards, GCDD’s Program and Policy Specialist, and Tais Keyser, a GCDD Council member and family advocate. Our goal was to bring Georgia’s perspective directly to members of Congress and their staff. We spoke with lawmakers about two key priorities: protecting Medicaid—particularly Home and Community-Based Services (HCBS)—and preserving the federal DD Network. In Georgia the DD Network includes GCDD, the Georgia Advocacy Office (GAO), the Center for Leadership in Disability (CLD) at Georgia State University (GSU), and the Institute on Human Development and Disability (IHDD) at the University of Georgia (UGA).

Our visit came at an important time. Congress is currently considering House Resolution (H.R.) 1, known as the “One Big Beautiful Bill Act.” This large piece of legislation is going through markups in the Senate. A revised version of the legislation is likely to return to the House of Representatives in the coming weeks. While the bill addresses many different policy areas, our focus is on updates that would reduce federal Medicaid spending by $7.93 billion over the next ten years.

These proposed cuts raise serious concerns. If passed, H.R. 1 could shift more Medicaid costs to states and reduce federal review. This is particularly dangerous for programs like HCBS. HCBS are classified as optional under federal Medicaid law. In Georgia, these services are delivered through the NOW and COMP waiver programs and are vital for thousands of individuals with I/DD. When federal funding was cut during the Great Recession, every state—including Georgia—reduced HCBS spending. We cannot let history repeat itself, as more than 8,000 people in Georgia are still waiting for these services.

Despite the challenges ahead, there is reason for hope. Lawmakers and staff have told us they’re hearing from Georgians—and that your voices are making a difference. Your stories about what Medicaid and the DD Network mean in your life are helping lawmakers understand the human impact of these decisions.

Now is the time to keep up the momentum. If you support funding Medicaid, including HCBS, and a strong, independent DD Network, we encourage you to contact your U.S. Senators and Representatives. Tell them that people with disabilities have the right to live, work, and thrive in their communities—not in institutions.

We’ll continue to watch progress from Washington and share updates with you. Thank you for your ongoing advocacy, partnership, and commitment to building a more inclusive Georgia.

For the past 12 years, I’ve been proud to serve as a council member for the Georgia Council on Developmental Disabilities (GCDD). Looking back now, I realize just how much I have grown, and how much the council has grown too. I want to share a little bit about what it meant to me.

When I first joined, I wasn’t sure what to expect. I just knew I wanted to stand up for myself and others like me. I have a developmental disability, and I wanted my voice to be heard. The council gave me that chance. We did not just sit in meetings. We got out in the community. I traveled with the council, went to events like Advocacy Days, met with state representatives, and even went to Washington, D.C.

One of my favorite memories was visiting Washington D.C. on my birthday. I spoke in the U.S. Capitol. My sister, Alison Barkoff, came with me and spoke too. That was a big moment. I got to share my story – what I do at work, what I care about, and why programs like Medicaid matter. I wanted them to know that people with disabilities have a lot to say, and we deserve to be heard.

I’ve learned how to speak up more. I’ve learned how to be a better leader and a better advocate. I’ve fought to protect Medicaid because I know how important it is. Not just for me, but for a lot of people across Georgia.

I loved being around other people on the council. We supported each other. We celebrated birthdays. I saw friends become leaders, like Martha Haythorn, who became a part of the council. I’m really proud of her, and I’m proud to have been part of it all.

Now that my time on the council is ending, I’m feeling a mix of things. I’m grateful. I’m happy. And, yeah, I’ll miss it. But I’m not done. I’m going to keep showing up for my community. I want to meet new people with disabilities and help them become advocates too. I want to keep being involved however I can.

If you’re thinking about joining the council, my advice is simple: do it. Be ready to learn, to grow, and to speak up.

To everyone at GCDD: thank you. I love you all. I’ll never forget the past 12 years, and I hope you won’t forget me either.

Find out what's happening during July! Here are some events that may be of interest to individuals with developmental disabilities and their families.

Americans with Disabilities Act 35th Anniversary Events

Find Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) 35th Anniversary events on the ADA website at the following at https://adata.org/events-calendar/search?keys=&field_datetime_value2%5Bvalue%5D%5Bdate%5D=2025-07-01&field_datetime_value%5Bvalue%5D%5Bdate%5D=2025-07-30.

Uniting for Change: Community Strong

When: July 7, July 14, July 28, 2025 from 4:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m.

Where: Online via Zoom

Description: Community Strong, led by self-advocates for self-advocates, is a weekly Zoom gathering about having fun and spending time with each other!

Learn more about this event and get the Zoom link at https://www.uniting4change.org/calendar.

My Tech for All Georgia In-Person Tech Summit

When: July 9, 2025 from 10:00 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.

Where: Georgia Advocacy Office (GAO), 1 West Court Square, Suite 625, Decatur, GA 30030

Description: 

This in-person technology summit will inform and provide Georgia’s disability community with technology resources to use to assist and improve their quality of life. Seating is limited.

Learn more about this event and register at https://mytechforall.com/georgia/. 

Down Syndrome Association of Atlanta: Disney's Aristocats for Kids - Final Performance

When: July 19, 2025 from 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.

Where: Decatur Community Players, 2221 Peachtree Road, Suite D-226, Atlanta, GA 30309

Description: 

The Down Syndrome Association of Atlanta partners with the Decatur Community Players to present “Aristocats Kids,” a delightful 30-minute musical. Theatre isn't just about acting; it's about enhancing social skills, boosting self-confidence, and empowering our incredible self-advocates. The summer camp offers a comprehensive experience where participants will refine public speaking skills, gain confidence in singing and dancing, and appreciate the importance of teamwork. It's more than just a camp; it's a transformative journey of self-discovery and personal growth.

Learn more at https://www.dsaatl.org/eventcalendar/disneys-aristocats-for-kids-r3gck.

Fulton County ADA 35 Rally

When: July 24, 2025 from 10:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m.

Where: Fulton County Government Center, 141 Pryor Street, Atlanta, GA 30303 

Description: 

The Americans with Disabilities Act turns 35. Join Fulton County for a fun-filled day as they commemorate the 35th Anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) on July 26, 2025! The Fulton County Department of Diversity and Civil Rights Compliance (DCRC) is excited to honor this milestone with a series of events. In recognition of this historic occasion, DCRC will host a resource expo in the spring and accept a proclamation ahead of the national commemoration on July 26. Don't miss this opportunity to commemorate and learn more about the impact of the ADA.

For more information and to register, go to https://www.eventbrite.com/e/ada35-rally-tickets-1311577105429?msockid=11abd382fdfb62a528cec69dfc456307.