The Georgia Council on Developmental Disabilities Drives Policy Change for Georgia’s Developmental Disability Community

Georgians with developmental disabilities, family members, providers, and DD network partners traveled from across the state of Georgia to join the Georgia Council on Developmental Disabilities (GCDD) for its annual Advocacy Days event series at the Georgia State Capitol. The purpose was to meet with lawmakers to champion the rights and well-being of Georgians with intellectual and developmental disabilities (I/DD).

GCDD hosts three Advocacy Days each year during the legislative session, where each day focuses on a pivotal issue dedicated to increasing community living and opportunities for people with I/DD, fostering meaningful dialogue and relationships with key decision makers. This year GCDD and stakeholders participated in meetings with lawmakers in offices and at the House and Senate ropes, attended and were recognized in the House and Senate galleries during shout outs, and had opportunities to speak and talk about their lived experiences during press conferences.

Employment Day – January 29, 2025

On January 29th, the I/DD community came to the Gold Dome to educate and inform policymakers about the advantages of competitive integrated employment. Employment Day focused on the imperative to abolish 14(c) certificates, which permit employers to pay workers with disabilities less than the minimum wage. GCDD also called for the state of Georgia to join other states in phasing out subminimum wage practices, emphasizing the need for competitive, integrated employment opportunities that offer fair compensation. Georgia’s disability community, including students from some of Georgia’s Inclusive Post Secondary Education (IPSE) schools, showed up in great numbers and made an impact by meeting with their elected officials during in-office meetings and at the ropes.

The disability community was also recognized during the House and Senate shout-outs and shared personal testimonies during the Employment Day press conference. State representatives who participated in Employment Day included Representatives El-Mahdi Holly (District 116) and Katie Dempsey (District 13), and Senator Billy Hickman (District 4). During the press conference, Senator Hickman and stakeholders discussed the importance of the Dignity and Pay Act for Georgia’s disability community. Additionally, the day featured testimonies from employees and professionals, underscoring the benefits of integrated employment practices for both individuals and the broader community.

Waivers Day – February 12, 2025

Advocacy Day two addressed the pressing issue of the waitlist for Georgia’s New Option Waiver (NOW) and Comprehensive Supports Waiver Program (COMP). With over 7,900 Georgians with I/DD awaiting the essential services that the NOW and COMP waiver programs provide, GCDD urged legislators to allocate funding for 2,400 new waivers, a recommendation from the I/DD Senate Study Committee in 2022. These waivers are crucial for providing supports, such as in-home personal care assistance, therapies, and employment support, that enable individuals with disabilities to live independently in their communities.

On Waivers Day, Georgia’s disability community and GCDD stakeholders went to the capitol to visit their state representatives at the ropes to share the importance of funding waivers to increase community living access. Representative Teddy Reese (District 40) and Dewey McClain (District 109) were just a few of the legislators that advocates met and shared the importance of making more NOW/COMP waivers available to the community.

The day ended with a press conference led by D’Arcy Robb, executive director of GCDD, who called for more waivers to support those eligible for NOW/COMP Waivers and the return on investment the waivers have on the community at large. “This case study shows that waivers can give a positive return on investment for communities because people work, families work, taxes are paid, and money is spent in the community,” added Robb. The number reflects daily life expenses such as rent, clothing, transportation to work, and more. Additionally, having a waiver and the right supports, a family member is also able to continue working and contribute to the local economy through standard ways of living.

GCDD has estimated that 2,400 new waivers would cost the State of Georgia approximately $65 million into its annual budget. Currently, Governor Brian Kemp has only allocated a budget for 100 new waivers.

Senator Sally Harrell (District 40) not only spoke of the importance of the NOW/COMP waiver programs, but also introduced and rounded up support for the I/DD Innovation Commission Bill, a piece of legislation aimed at addressing longstanding issues in the I/DD community. The bill would create a comprehensive long-term plan for people with I/DD by bringing key stakeholders to the table.

Rep. Marvin Lim (District 98) who supports reducing the waitlist, emphasized the need for people with I/DD to live in their own communities. “We must commit to getting these waivers,” he said to the crowd.

Rep. Scott Hilton (District 48) rallied the crowd during his speech and reminded advocates to, “talk to your legislators and let’s push [this ask for 2,400 waivers] through!”

Closing out Waivers Advocacy Day was parent advocate Tais Kayser, who has worked hard for her sons to receive services and supports that they benefit from today.

Carla Geeslin, a self-advocate from Macon, GA, is an adult with a disability who lived with her mother for years but now lives independently. She shared, “We need funding help to have folks live in their own homes. We need our legislators' help.”

GCDD is committed to ending the waitlist.

Georgia Disability Strong – February 26, 2025

GCDD’s final Advocacy Day at the Georgia State Capitol during the session was called Georgia Disability Strong. On this day, GCDD’s stakeholders and community partners focused on state and federal issues that currently affect Georgians with disabilities. GCDD stakeholders and partners met with state legislators at the ropes and participated in a press conference, led by GCDD Council Chair Lisa Newbern, to bring attention to three federal issues critical to Georgians with disabilities, including Medicaid, Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act, and the United States Department of Education programs. Participants at the press conference included representatives of Uniting for Change, Service Providers Association for Developmental Disabilities (SPADD), Georgia Early Education Alliance for Ready Students (GEEARS), self-advocates, and family members. This day exemplified the power of collective advocacy in driving policy change. By bringing together diverse voices and focusing on actionable solutions, these events laid the groundwork for significant advancements in the rights and services for Georgians with DD.

Details about policy updates and milestones achieved at the 2025 Advocacy Days will be featured in the April 2025 issue of Making a Difference Magazine.