Hometown Advocacy: Your Voice Matters, Wherever You Are

You don’t have to travel to the Capitol to make a difference.

Public policy decisions made at the Georgia Capitol affect the everyday lives of people with intellectual and developmental disabilities (I/DD) and their families. From Medicaid and NOW/COMP waivers to housing, employment, and community supports, the decisions legislators make matter. And the voices of people with I/DD and their families need to be part of those conversations.

But traveling to the Capitol isn’t possible for everyone. Transportation, work schedules, caregiving responsibilities, and other barriers can make in-person advocacy difficult. That’s why the Georgia Council on Developmental Disabilities (GCDD) is launching Hometown Advocacy—an initiative designed to make advocacy accessible to more Georgians. Through virtual advocacy trainings, participants can learn how to contact elected officials, share their experiences, and influence public policy without leaving home.

GCDD will provide advocacy training and mail participants a printed copy of its 2026 I/DD Primer. Written in plain language, the Primer explains important issues affecting Georgians with I/DD, including Medicaid, home and community-based services, and the long wait for NOW/COMP waivers. It also includes personal stories and policy recommendations that advocates can use to help legislators understand why change is needed.

Advocacy can take many forms. Participants can call or email legislators, share their stories, and speak up about issues that matter to them. Those who want to take their advocacy further can organize their own in-person meetings with elected officials using the information and tools provided by GCDD.

GCDD will also host two in-person Advocacy Days at the Georgia Capitol on February 10 and February 24. These opportunities will allow advocates to meet with lawmakers, share their priorities, and help shape policies that affect Georgians with I/DD.

Whether you are a self-advocate, family member, professional, or ally, your voice matters. You don’t need to be a policy expert or travel to Atlanta to make a difference.

With Hometown Advocacy, GCDD is helping more Georgians participate in advocacy, ensuring that people with I/DD and their families have a voice in the decisions that shape their lives.