Greetings!

As August comes to a close, we look to advocacy for children with disabilities in our classrooms - classrooms that are now filled with laughter and light after summer vacation.

We look to the big screen for representation with "Barbie" and to Arkansas communities hosting events for children with disabilities.

And we also look forward to September and National Emergency Preparedness Month.

Here's to another month of pushing for Inclusion, Integration and Independence for all.

- GCDD Team
As our children and students head back to school, it's important that we reflect on the words and phrases that we use. Ableist words and language enter a domino-effect, toppling progress we've made in our communities and in Arkansas. It's also a direct form of discrimination against people with disabilities.

This language is impactful in context and out of context. If a student with disabilities overhears ableist language, it can lead to feelings of shame or judgement. When ableist or non-inclusive language becomes commonplace, it prolongs the harmful effects.

Oftentimes, our children repeat things we say, making it even more important that we strictly halt any language deemed ableist. It's time to let our words speak just as loud as our options. Sit with your children and educate them on the harmful effects of ableism. Listen to their thoughts and encourage them to be more inclusive.

Together we can make Arkansas classrooms, communities and circles more inclusive. Learn more about the Arkansas Alliance for Disability Advocacy program and its mission by clicking the button below.
Member Spotlight:
Mark George
Mark is the parent of a young adult daughter with Down syndrome. He first became active in advocacy for individuals with disabilities twenty years ago when he brought a lawsuit against the state of Arkansas over the administration of the Developmental Disabilities Waiver. After successfully settling the lawsuit, which resulted in over 900 individuals being moved onto the waiver from the wait list, Mark continued to focus on Medicaid related advocacy opportunities. He has also been active in advocacy work in Arkansas legislature, having testified during various committee hearings, including several bills related to the ABLE Program.

Mr. George is past president and current board member of Disability Rights Arkansas and Chair of the Governor's Council on Developmental Disabilities Public Policy and Outreach Committee, as well as a member of the Board of the Arkansas Waiver Association.

Mark currently lives in Northwest Arkansas with his wife and daughter. He has another daughter living in Denver, Colorado. Mark is working on retiring from his job as a registered investment advisor, so that he can concentrate on traveling and going to high school football and basketball games with his daughter.
Thank you, Mark, for your advocacy efforts through the years and for your service with the Council!
Community Events
  • Saturday, August 26, 10:30 a.m. - 12 p.m.
Adults on the Autism Spectrum Support Group
River City Coffee - 2913 Kavanaugh Blvd. Little Rock, Arkansas

  • Saturday, August 26
Dr. Eyers Puberty and Beyond Educational/Support Workshop
2nd Baptist Church - 2600 Dave Ward Dr. Conway, Arkansas

  • Saturday, August 26, 7-9 p.m.
Family Swim Party (Must Reserve Spot)
Alma Aquatic Park - 731 City Park Rd. Alma, Arkansas
Representation for All
"Barbie" is the hottest movie of the summer, but for Madison Lawson, the movie means something more. She wrote an op-ed for Teen Vogue exploring disability representation in "Barbie" and what seeing Barbie in a wheelchair means to her. Click the button below to her the op-ed!
Disaster Plans
The widespread destruction and loss in Maui, Hawaii, left so many of us heartbroken and wondering what we'd do in a similar, catastrophic situation.

For people or families of children with a disability, it's important to be informed and have a plan. Click the button below to see FEMA's recommendations on disaster preparedness for people with disabilities.
Nominate someone in your community who is making a change in the disability advocacy movement! The Advocate of the Month winner will be highlighted in the Arkansas Alliance for Disability Advocacy's newsletter.

*GCDD funds and collaborates with the Arkansas Alliance for Disability Advocates and Disability Rights Arkansas programs.
Arkansas Governor's Council on Developmental Disabilities