Georgia Midterm Candidates Discuss Disability Issues at GCDD Virtual Forum

The Georgia Council on Developmental Disabilities (GCDD) hosted a virtual Candidate Forum on September 17, 2026 to help voters understand where candidates stand on disability issues.

GCDD organized the event with the Georgia Advocacy Office (GAO), Sangha Unity Network, Uniting for Change, Crimminz and Associates, and REV UP Georgia.

During the Forum, candidates running for Governor, Lieutenant Governor, Attorney General, Labor Commissioner, and State Superintendent of Schools discussed issues important to Georgia’s disability community. Topics included affordable health care, and educational opportunities. The forum also covered voting accessibility and what voters can expect at the polls in November.

Self-advocates from Uniting for Change asked each candidate the same question that related to their office. Each candidate received the same questions and three minutes to answer in person or through a video. Candidates for Governor, Lieutenant Governor, and US Senator were given five minutes for responses to the questions.

Labor Commissioner

Candidates Nikki Porcher and current Commissioner Bárbara Rivera Holmes were asked how the Georgia Department of Labor could work with the Georgia Vocational Rehabilitation Agency (GVRA) and other partners to make it easier for people with disabilities to build careers.

Porcher, a U.S. Air Force veteran with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), emphasized that not every disability is visible. She proposed a “no wrong door” approach in which people with disabilities would receive coordinated support or a “warm handoff” no matter where they first ask for help. “Programs need to be working together,” said Porcher, “whether someone is going through the Georgia’s Department of Labor, Vocational Rehabilitation Agency, WorkSource Georgia, technical colleges, veteran organizations, or community partners.”

Holmes discussed her work as Georgia’s current Labor Commissioner in a pre-recorded response. She connects job seekers from GVRA with Georgia employers through the state’s 34 career centers. She emphasized the importance of helping businesses understand the skills and value that workers with disabilities bring to the workplace. Holmes said this education can help remove stigma and open doors.

Superintendent of Schools

Candidates Dr. Lydia Powell and current Superintendent Richard Woods talked about how Georgia can meet the requirements of the federal Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA). This law gives students with disabilities the right to a free and appropriate public education. It also says they should learn in the least restrictive environment. This means they should learn alongside students without disabilities as much as possible.

Powell said she would strengthen state oversight and provide funding where it is needed most. Targeted funding would go towards hiring qualified teachers and school psychologists. It would also help to improve the Child Find process. This program helps schools identify and support children who have disabilities.

Woods said improving disability education begins with teachers and training. He supports building stronger partnerships with colleges and universities to better prepare educators to teach students with disabilities.

Both candidates emphasized the importance of educating parents and connecting them with resources.

Attorney General

Candidates Sen. Brian Strickland and Rep. Tanya Miller were asked how they plan to protect Georgians with disabilities from abuse and neglect.

Strickland highlighted that state agencies need to have proper training for working with people with disabilities. He wants to consider ways to expand Georgia’s caregiver registry to help the state identify caregivers with a history of abuse or neglect.

Miller focused on enforcing the law and holding people accountable. She drew on her experience as a homicide prosecutor who has stood with victims of abuse. Miller said an abuse registry is necessary, along with a clear process for acting on the information it provides.

Governor

Gubernatorial candidate Keisha Lance Bottoms said in a prerecorded statement that 1,217 individuals were identified as being in urgent need of a NOW/COMP waiver. These waivers provide home and community-based services that allow people with developmental disabilities (DD) to live in their communities. Bottoms said a top priority during her first year in office would be to fully fund waivers for people in urgent need. She said expanding Medicaid would be a major priority of her administration.

Rick Jackson did not participate in the forum in person or submit a video response.

Lieutenant Governor

Candidate Sen. Josh McLaurin said he strongly supports expanding funding for the NOW and COMP waivers. He also expressed support for Medicaid expansion.

Candidates for Secretary of State Penny Brown Reynolds and Tim Flemming; and US Senators Jon Ossoff and Mike Collins were also invited to participate. Unfortunately they were unable to do so.

Stacy Ramirez, a member of the Rev Up Georgia Coalition, ended the discussion with information about voter accessibility. To be vote-ready, she said to check voter registration on Georgia’s My Voter Page, know important dates, have a plan for when and how to vote, and save the non-partisan voter helpline phone number 1-866-OUR-VOTE (1-866-687-8683). Read more in the Public Policy for the People article.

Watch the entire Forum on GCDD’s YouTube channel, and download the PDF from Rev Up Georgia.