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 s...

The Georgia Council on Developmental Disabilities (GCDD) is launching a new feature column for Making A Difference magazine called “Ask GCDD Anything!” Through this column, GCDD will provide more education, information, and resources f...

Discover stories of courage, creativity, and leadership from people with disabilities in Georgia and beyond. Learn how disability justice connects to Harriet Tubman’s legacy of strength at the Tubman African American Museum in Macon.

For the past two and a half years, the Georgia Council on Developmental Disabilities (GCDD) has had the privilege of working alongside leaders across Georgia’s intellectual and developmental disabilities (I/DD) community as part of the Georgia ...

New technology is changing quickly, and many people find it hard to know how to use it safely or well. Tools powered by artificial intelligence (AI) can make everyday tasks easier and support independence. At the same time, they can raise conce...

Being a self-advocate means speaking up for myself and for others. It means standing up for my rights and asking for what I need and want. It also means helping to make sure other people are heard, too.One of my first memories of advocat...

The Georgia Council on Developmental Disabilities (GCDD) is pleased to announce the addition of four new council members. These Georgians will bring new voices and ideas to the 28-member Council. These members will help make important decisions...

Whether she is acting, directing, or speaking up for people with disabilities, Jessica Cowell, who has cerebral palsy, knows how to use her voice. She loves being on stage and is dedicated to making sure everyone feels included and welcome....

What if in 2026, we forget about resolutions? Instead, what if we embrace this year as one full of possibilities?Hear me out. A resolution sounds so ... limited. And likely to fail. Plus, why is there pressure to pick just one? I don’t k...

Project SETA: Students Enhancing Their Advocacy is a one-year training program that helps young people build strong skills in speaking up for themselves and being leaders. It was first made for students in college programs that include everyone...

My name is Charlie Miller, and I work at the Georgia Council on Developmental Disabilities (GCDD). My job is to help people speak up for disability rights. I'm excited to share this January newsletter about what's happening in Georgia's governm...

In this issue, we’ll take a look at the latest developments in the federal government shutdown, where the Georgia Developmental Disabilities Network currently stands, and what’s happening at the U.S. Department of Education. We’ll also gear up ...

“Without our traditions, our lives would be as shaky as a fiddler on the roof.”Those are the famous words of Tevye, the main character in Fiddler on the Roof. Without giving any spoilers, I can tell you the story is about a loving family...

When the University of Georgia (UGA) launched Destination Dawgs in January 2017, the vision was clear: create a fully inclusive program where students with intellectual disabilities could learn, grow, and thrive alongside their peers. What bega...

Joy is powerful. It helps us stay strong, connected, and hopeful. As the holiday season approaches, we’re celebrating the moments that brought smiles and strength this year. We asked several self-advocates from Uniting for Change to shar...

UnlockGA is a group of people and organizations working together to make Home and Community-Based Services (HCBS) easier to get for people with disabilities and their families. The group looks for problems in the system and pushes for changes t...

As we look back on the year, we know that you and others are making communities better every day for people with developmental or intellectual disabilities (I/DD). So, GCDD decided to find out what’s working across Georgia in your town. 

In Georgia, a training program is helping people with intellectual and developmental disabilities become leaders in their communities. My Voice. My Participation. My Board. is a program that started in 2014, and has trained 85 Georgians to serv...

Jacquelyn Daniel, founder of ConnectAbility in Dahlonega is the 2025 Spirit of Kim Unsung Hero Award Winner! This award celebrates individuals who demonstrate selfless service to Georgia's intellectual and developmental disability (I/DD) commun...

The National Business Association says that small businesses are the backbone of our economy. They create two out of every three new jobs in the country. They also make up almost half of all the money and goods that America produces each year. ...

Happy Fall! The season of cool breezes, cozy sweaters, and pumpkin spice lattes is here.I’m excited to introduce myself as the Georgia Council on Developmental Disabilities’ (GCDD) new Chief Program Officer. In this role, I’ll be working...

During the summer, President Trump provided a plan on how the government should spend (appropriate) its money. Congress is reviewing the plan to decide if it agrees with it or wants to make changes. These changes are called markups. 

Every election presents an opportunity for people to shape the future of their communities. Voting allows people to lend their voices to improving their city, state, or country. Derek Heard, an Albany native with autism, is developing a voter e...

In September, the disability rights community mourned the loss of Shelly Simmons. Simmons was a pioneer for Georgia’s disability movement and served as the Executive Director of the Statewide Independent Living Council of Georgia. She passed aw...

Hi, my name is Ben Oxley and I’m from McDonough, Georgia. When I was a kid, McDonough was a quiet little town, just 20 minutes south of the hustle and bustle of Atlanta. Older people and the generation of folks like me only knew it as a quiet l...