GCDD Week in Review

This week was a busy one for GCDD. We brought together Georgia's disability community for advocacy, dinner and conversations. Not only did we host an Advocacy Day focused on waivers and wages; we also gathered for A Seat at the Table at Georgia Public Broadcasting.

A Seat at the Table

Adults and youth sit around a table and have a discussion

Participants gathered for food and conversations

An African American girl with Down syndrome stands with her parents.

The Riggins-Robins family enjoyed the evening

People sit around a table for a discussion

Table hosts shared their stories

On Tuesday, February 6, GCDD's Storytelling Project, in collaboration with Equitable Dinners and Out of Hand Theater hosted "A Seat at the Table" at Georgia Public Broadcasting headquarters. More than 100 people with disabilities, family members, direct support professionals and community leaders attended the gathering. Participants shared dinner, stories and conversation on the topic of opportunities for supported community living for people with developmental disabilities.

If you weren't able to attend this event, a virtual A Seat at the Table will be held Tuesday, February 27 at 6:00 PM. Learn more and register to join this web-based conversation by clicking here.

Waivers and Wages Advocacy Day

Senator Sally Harrell speaks to the media as she stands in front of disability advocates.

Disability advocates stand behind Sen. Sally Harrell at a press conference on SB198

Members of the National Domestic Workers alliance discuss DSP wages with Senator Sheikh Rahman

Members of the National Domestic Workers alliance discuss DSP wages with Sen. Sheikh Rahman

Rep Steve Tarbin speaks with the St. Pierre family about waivers and wages

The St. Pierre family speaks to Rep. Steve Tarbin

On Wednesday, February 7, GCDD's Advocacy Day focused on increased waivers and wages for Direct Support Professionals (DSPs) was held at the State Capitol in Downtown Atlanta. Disability advocates gathered from across the state to listen to Rep. Sally Harrell's press conference where she announced details of Senate Bill 198 which if passed will create the Georgians with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities Innovation Commission. The commission would work on issues facing the I/DD community such as transportation, housing, employment, systems management and more.

The group then visited their legislators to advocate for funding increased waivers and wages for people with I/DD across the state.

If you weren't able to attend this Advocacy Day but want to speak to your legislator about waivers and wages, visit our Phone2Action campaign here .

View our informational one pager on waivers and wages here.

View Atlanta NOW's new coverage of the press conference here

If you would like to attend our final Advocacy Day of 2024 on Employment register here