UNLOCK!

UNLOCK logo

The UNLOCK! campaign advocates with Georgians with disabilities so we and our families can live full lives and contribute to Georgia communities and the Georgia economy. We believe Georgia must rebalance its system of long-term services and supports, so that fewer dollars are spent on institutional care and more dollars are invested into Home and Community Based supports.

UNLOCK! Principles

Individuals with disabilities should have the opportunity to live full, self-determined lives.

This means we want the chance:

+ ... to be employed

  • in regular workplaces – not in settings with only other workers with disabilities
  • earning the same wages as people without disabilities
  • with access to supported or customized employment services

+ ... to have a real home

  • in apartments or houses in a community that we’ve chosen
  • with the opportunity to live in communities that are inclusive of residents with and without disabilities
  • with the opportunity for ownership or control of the lease
  • alone or with others that we’ve chosen
  • where we decide who visits and when
  • without the threat of losing that home if we don’t comply with a treatment plan

+ ... to be engaged in our communities with family and friends

  • who understand and appreciate our gifts and contributions
  • with access to an array of educational and leisure pursuits
  • able to go to a full range of locations and activities that we’ve chosen

+ ... to have control over how we spend our time

  • with adequate information so that we make informed choices from an array of meaningful options
  • with a schedule of daily activities based on our personal priorities, interests, and contributions
  • choosing when and what to eat, and how to spend our time

+ ... to make our own choices like anyone else

  • choosing where to live, who to marry, how to vote, and exercising all other legal rights as an adult
  • making own decisions regarding medical treatment
  • receiving assistance through Supported Decision Making –desired support and advice from family and friends – rather than having others make our decisions through guardianship because over-reliance on formal systems of substituted decision-making like guardianship can hinder or prevent inclusion, self- determination and community integration