There are many aspects to consider when it comes to being a champion for the disability community, whether it is providing care and support, offering a social network, or strengthening the voices of people with disabilities.  Elite Squad Inc., founded in June 2023 by Dorinda Peterson and Amy Hines, is an advocacy and social connection group in metro Atlanta dedicated to changing societal perspectives on how people interact and engage with people with disabilities. The group accomplishes its mission by hosting and leading various social events for people of all backgrounds to meet, lea...

The State of Georgia kicked off its legislative session in January, and the Georgia Council on Developmental Disabilities (GCDD) was front and center to advocate for the disability community across the state. During the session, GCDD hosted its annual Advocacy Days at the Georgia State Capitol. Advocacy Days is an opportunity for GCDD, self-advocates, and the developmental disabilities (DD) community across Georgia to meet, educate, and inform legislators about issues that are important to Georgia’s disability community. This year, there were three days of advocacy at the Capitol...

Families of adults with developmental disabilities (DD) often find themselves as primary caregivers because they do not want the relative to be institutionalized and alternative options are not always readily available. Individuals with DD who have been referred to a nursing home or other institutional level of care, may be eligible for home and community-based services (HCBS) through Georgia’s Medicaid program that would allow them to live at home. According to literature provided by the Georgia Department of Community Health (DCH), “Home and Community Services A Guide to Medicaid Waiver ...

Hello! My name is Charlotte Densmore. I joined the Georgia Council on Developmental Disabilities (GCDD) as the Public Policy Director in August 2023. My involvement in disability advocacy originated from my work as a mentor with the EXCEL (Expanding Career, Education, and Leadership Opportunities) program at the Georgia Institute of Technology. It almost seems serendipitous that I can now combine my personal and academic experiences in my work at GCDD. The upcoming legislative session provides a unique opportunity to advance inclusivity, empower communities, and foster independence for in...

June 22, 1999, marks a pivotal moment in the history of disability rights in the United States—the Supreme Court's landmark Olmstead Decision was made into law. Two Georgian self-advocates Lois Curtis and Elaine Wilson, who lived with developmental and psychiatric disabilities, argued that it was discrimination to unjustifiably isolate people in institutions when they could live in the community.  This ruling has significantly influenced the lives of individuals with disabilities, aiming to ensure their right to live in community settings rather than being unnecessarily institutionali...

For most kids, summer is one of the most wonderful times of the year. And one thing that makes it pretty awesome is summer camp. There was a time when children and young adults with developmental disabilities (DD) didn’t have access to the same summertime activities as many others. However, more programs are emerging to give everyone enjoyable experiences while adding the life skills of self-confidence, leadership, and character building. In the U.S., summer camps are a $3.5 billion industry, with about 26 million school-aged kids (about a third of the population) attending for at least a ...