Press Releases

Developmental Disabilities Awareness Month Brings Attention to Power of Disability Community in Georgia

March 5, 2020 (Georgia) – The Georgia Council on Developmental Disabilities (GCDD) is excited to recognize March as Developmental Disabilities Awareness Month, highlighting the many ways in which people with and without disabilities come together to form strong, diverse communities.

“The goal for this month is to create awareness about developmental disabilities, teach the importance of inclusion within every aspect of life and to share the stories of individuals with a disability to show that a successful life is possible.,” said Eric Jacobson, executive director of GCDD. “We look forward to continuing to work to improve the quality of life for the over 150,000 Georgians living with developmental disabilities.”

Through its many partnerships, the Council works to build a Georgia that is more inclusive and integrated for people. The partnerships focus on working with local groups to build welcoming communities; expanding and leveraging the existing grassroots, community-based coalition to develop and implement a plan to reduce the number of African American males in special education classes who are at risk of being pushed out of school and into the juvenile and criminal justice systems – a trend known as the "school-to-prison pipeline" (STPP); and developing a collection of stories from across the State that give a glimpse into everyday lives of everyday people with developmental disabilities, among many other projects.

To raise #DDAwareness, GCDD will also be hosting its final two Advocacy Days – March 9 and March 18 – to educate and inform lawmakers about competitive, integrated employment and STPP. 

“People with developmental disabilities are contributing members of society, just like you and me,” added Jacobson. “This is what we want the community-at-large to take away throughout the month of March. Our work continues all year, but Developmental Disabilities Awareness Month is a great way to jumpstart these valuable conversations.”

The annual campaign, spearheaded by the National Association of Councils on Developmental Disabilities, seeks to raise awareness about the inclusion of people with developmental disabilities in all areas of community life, as well as awareness to the barriers that people with disabilities still sometimes face in connecting to the communities in which they live.

About the Georgia Council on Developmental Disabilities: The Georgia Council on Developmental Disabilities (GCDD) is the State's leader in advancing public policy on behalf of persons with developmental disabilities. Its mission is 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. www.gcdd.org