Advocacy During the Legislative Session: What Matters and How You Can Help

Decisions made during Georgia’s legislative session affect the daily lives of people with intellectual and developmental disabilities (I/DD) and their families. These decisions shape whether someone can get help at home, whether a student can stay in an inclusive classroom, and whether people can access the healthcare they need. These choices are not just about policy—they affect real people every day.This session, the Georgia Council on Developmental Disabilities (GCDD) is focused on a small number of clear priorities. These priorities come directly from what we hear from self-advocates, families, educators, and service providers across the state. Our goals are to strengthen community services, support inclusive schools, address staff shortages, expand college options, and protect Medicaid. Just as important, we want people across Georgia to know how they can get involved and make their voices heard.The Georgia Council on Developmental Disabilities (GCDD) is driven by its Five Year Strategic Plan goals to improve services and supports for people with intellectual and other developmental disabilities (I/DD). The Council, charged with creating systems change for individuals with developmental disabilities and family members, will work through various advocacy and capacity building activities to build a more interdependent, self-sufficient, and integrated and included disability community across Georgia.This project was supported, in part by grant number 2001GASCDD-03, from the U.S. Administration for Community Living, Department of Health and Human Services, Washington, D.C. 20201. Grantees undertaking projects with government sponsorship are encouraged to express freely their findings and conclusions. Points of view or opinions do not, therefore, necessarily represent official ACL policy.