The disability rights movement lost one of its visionary leaders when John O'Brien passed away on June 27, 2025. For decades, O'Brien and his wife Connie Lyle O'Brien championed a simple belief: that every person deserves to be fully included in community life. His groundbreaking work changed how we think about disability. It moved goals beyond basic accommodations to pursue full community belonging. Belonging in schools, neighborhoods, and everyday conversations. He emphasized the importance of listening to people with disabilities and their families and learning from their experiences.  

This trailblazing way of thinking became the foundation for the Georgia Council on Developmental Disabilities’ Real Communities projects. These projects were intentionally inclusive and welcomed the gifts and talents of community members with disabilities. These person-centered methods continue to guide disability advocates worldwide. 

His legacy lives in countless communities where inclusion is not an ideal, it's a reality. Members of the disability community shared their memories of O’Brien and what he meant to them.

Jack Pierpoint, Co-Director of Inclusion Press

John was an amazing listener who crafted those stories into workshops, exercises, articles, and books. His wisdom shepherded thousands of us to join the battles for de-institutionalization. Our world is in a challenging phase, but because of the life of John O’Brien, the world is a better place for all of us.

Lynda Kahn, Co- Director of Inclusion Press

John was generously curious to learn more about what you cared about and why. I never stopped taking notes when together with John. His questions were fateful and insightful.

I am still learning about what love and tenderness and care for one another looks like from Connie and John. John is still teaching me quiet, steadfast ways of friendship.

This thought is guiding me now; we need to up our game in John’s name.

Beth Mount, Social Change Artist

John developed and shaped many of the person-centered planning methods used internationally. These methods continue to influence thousands of folks; families, facilitators, and human service workers, who keep asking “What more is possible?” against all odds. John prepared us to have the courage to challenge and overcome practices, structures, and values that lead to segregation, devaluation, and underestimation in contrast to people living with true purpose and belonging in real communities.

Brittany Curry, Graphic Facilitator/Statewide Citizen Advocacy Advisory Committee

Beyond all I’ve learned from John intellectually, the most important lessons have come from witnessing how he moved through the world. He listened deeply—through all the noise—and got people thinking about the right QUESTIONS to ask, rather than the ANSWERS to cling to. He modeled curiosity when most in the world seek certainty. He taught how to thoughtfully and respectfully challenge limiting beliefs. Time spent with John always left me seeing things a little more clearly.

Jessica Mathis, Community Builder, Voting Access Champion

The first time I met John O’Brien was at the Georgia Winter Institute. John and Connie O’Brien laid the foundation and the groundwork for helping me and so many in the disability community become more empowered. They taught us about mutual respect and what it meant to include people with disabilities in community decision making. I still carry a great deal of the things that he taught. We will miss you.

Learn more about the life, work and impact of John O’Brien on the Inclusion Press website.

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 away on August 29. 

Simmons grew up in Englewood, California, and was diagnosed at 13 years old with Muscular Dystrophy. She was passionate about sports and earned a degree in Sports Communication from California State University. Her goal was to become a sports broadcaster.

As her Muscular Dystrophy progressed, Simmons shifted her focus away from a career in sports to a career in advocacy.  She left her job in television production and went to work at the Disability Resource Center in Long Beach, California. In this role, she learned about important disability resources and services. This information helped her in her job and her own life. She excelled in making an impact and helping the lives of others through her advocacy. 

One of her first experiences with advocacy happened in her 20s. She advocated to get a power wheelchair instead of the manual one given to her for accessibility. In an interview, she shared that her transition from being able-bodied to having a disability was challenging, but her wheelchair gave her freedom and independence. 

She had big aspirations and was looking for a change in her life, so she decided to move to Georgia and began working at Disability Link. She realized Georgia lacked the resources and accessibility that she had in California. Her focus became building and improving Georgia’s policies to benefit the lives of Georgians with disabilities.

“I knew Shelly beyond SILC,” said Ester DuRante, Advocate/Outreach Coordinator with Statewide Independent Living Council (SILC) of Georgia. “She was vital to SILC and Centers for Independent Living (CILS), and she saw something she brought from California and used her experience and circumstances to navigate and improve what was going on in Georgia.”

DuRante worked with Shelly at SILC and had a close friendship with her. Shelly encouraged her team on a professional level to reflect on their own experiences and then consider what a person with a disability might experience. She challenged them to identify what changes SILC could make to better help people with disabilities.

“Shelly was more than her work with SILC. She was a human with a disability fighting to be seen, heard, and valued with her own light,” DuRante said. “She was a beautiful person who did not limit herself.”

Countless members of California’s and Georgia’s disability communities were impacted by her dedication to helping people with disabilities live independently. Her leadership transformed Georgia's independent living services. Her unwavering commitment to the independent living movement created lasting change that will benefit Georgians with disabilities for years to come. 

Shelly will be remembered for her hard work and commitment to the disability movement in Georgia. The following comments were made by people in Georgia’s disability community whose lives Shelly Simmons impacted.

“Shelly was a tremendous advocate and a fundamentally good human being. She was deeply thoughtful and caring, always intentional with her words and contributions. At the same time, Shelly was a fierce advocate who never stopped working for what she believed in. I think kindness and committed advocacy are the best ways we can carry on her legacy.” - D’Arcy Robb Executive Director for GCDD 

“Although Shelly often spoke with a soft voice, her passion for advocacy was undeniable. She loved to share this passion with emerging leaders with disabilities and their nondisabled allies, bestowing her wisdom and fueling their drive for change. For many cohorts of the Georgia Leadership Education in Neurodevelopmental and Related Disabilities (GaLEND) trainees and fellows, Shelly’s voice was among the first they heard—grounding them in both the history of disability advocacy and the work still ahead to create a more inclusive world. The Center for Leadership in Disability joins our colleagues in Georgia and across the nation in carrying on Shelly's passion for uplifting young leaders of the future and for helping our movement flourish.” - Mark Crenshaw, The Center for Leadership and Disability (CLD) at Georgia State University (GSU)

“Shelly Simmons was a kind, respected, and passionate leader who, among other contributions, supported ensuring Centers for Independent Living (CIL) coverage with Information and Referral (I&R) services across Georgia. While sometimes perceived as passive, those who knew her recognized her quiet strength and unwavering dedication to advancing independent living. She encouraged others to step into leadership and was always open to ideas and collaboration. Her commitment and vision made a lasting impact on the disability community.” - Kim Gibson, DSW, LMSW, Executive Director, disABILITY LINK

“Shelly did so much to build the independent living network and expand services in Georgia for people with disabilities.  She was a person who put effort in building relationships and collaborations through kindness, curiosity, and conversation.  She carried forth the vision when she assumed the Executive Director role of the SILC and was able to support the centers in assuring that we at least had statewide information and referral coverage.  She was an advocate, ally, and friend to our centers.” - Tiffany Clifford, Executive Director for Walton Options

Brook Kubik, a council member for the Georgia Council on Developmental Disabilities, went to the 2025 Disability Seminar in Washington, D.C. She returned to Georgia with more than policy updates – she came back with a new understanding of the strength of relationships, the importance of advocating with heart and facts, and the power of telling stories that help people connect.

The Disability Policy Seminar is held every year in Washington, D.C. It brings together self-advocates, families, professionals and policymakers from across the country to discuss disability-related public policy. This year’s conference focused heavily on Medicaid — how it works, what services it provides, and how proposed cuts could affect people. For Kubik, the experience was as personal as it was political.

While much of the content, including a deep dive into Medicaid’s role in services for people with disabilities, was familiar to Kubik because of her existing work on public policy, Kubik said the real value of the event came from the relationships and conversations outside of the main sessions.

“It wasn’t just about learning what Medicaid is,” she said. “It was about understanding the system at a national level and bringing that knowledge back to Georgia.”

One of the most revealing moments came during a Q&A session with a speaker from The Arc, a national disability organization. Kubik wanted to learn more about their position on paying people with disabilities less than minimum wage. She waited until the end of her presentation to ask her question — and the answer surprised her. The national group supports ending subminimum wage, but each state chapter makes its own decisions, and local views may differ.

“That one conversation changed how I view the organization,” she said. “It reminded me that real advocacy starts with talking and listening — not assumptions.”

During the last two days of the seminar, Kubik and a small group of Georgia advocates visited offices on Capitol Hill. They met Congressional staff to share stories and policy priorities. After missing a meeting with Georgia’s Sen. Raphael Warnock’s office due to long security lines, they met with a staffer in Sen. Jon Ossoff’s office. Kubik said the staff member listened carefully to them and seemed very interested.

“These staffers are young and often early in their careers,” she said. “They’re listening and that means our stories matter.”

Kubik stated that being a good advocate is more than speaking up during challenging times. It also means staying active and involved when things are going well. 

“We need to be consistently educating, engaging and building relationships,” she added.

Kubik believes that storytelling still matters but says it must be paired with caring and facts. She also called for a stronger presence on social media to connect younger people who want to make a difference.

“Policy is personal,” she said. “Every person has worth, and every person deserves not just to survive, but to thrive.”

The most valuable part of the seminar, Kubik said, was not the sessions or the handouts, but the time spent making meaningful connections with fellow advocates and policymakers.

“True change doesn’t happen when we only talk to people who agree with us,” she said. “It happens when we sit down, share stories and ask the hard questions. That’s the work. And it starts with showing up.”

The "Embracing Possibility: Georgia's Disability Justice Journey" exhibit opened this May at the Tubman Museum in Macon, GA. The opening celebration celebrated the exhibit's goal to change how people think about people with disabilities and honor the work that people with disabilities have done throughout Georgia's history. The opening welcomed hundreds of people from across Georgia to the museum for an evening that combined music, powerful artwork, and meaningful connections in Georgia’s disability community.

The event, which was the official launch of this year-long exhibit, featured the Gifted Harmony Choir and performances by Dean Brown. Their talents created an atmosphere of joy and celebration that perfectly captured the spirit of the disability rights movement in Georgia.

Participants left the opening celebration with renewed energy and thoughts on disability. One attendee said that the exhibit "helped restore a bit of my faith and humanity.” Other attendees described feeling "joy and renewed" after experiencing the exhibit for the first time. Many visitors said that the displays made them think about "the endless possibilities that exist in the disability community."

The exhibit shows how disability justice has grown in Georgia while highlighting the ongoing work needed to create a truly inclusive society.

Gillian Grable from the Institute on Human Development and Disability at the University of Georgia is a member of the exhibit organizing committee. "Seeing the community come together to celebrate our shared history and picture our future together was exactly what we hoped for," said Grable. "This exhibit isn't just about the past. It's about people seeing themselves as part of a movement for inclusion. The excitement in the room tonight shows that Georgia is ready to support our disability community."

Attendees felt the opening celebration was a success, showing the need in Georgia's communities for real stories of disability experiences and history. The goal of the exhibit is to create a lasting impact that extends far beyond the walls of the Tubman Museum.

The "Embracing Possibility" exhibit will remain at the Tubman Museum through June 2026 giving visitors to the museum an opportunity to engage and learn more about Georgia’s history. The extended run ensures that school groups, families, and community organizations can see the exhibit within the year.

There is more planned programming to support the exhibit. That includes family days and book readings featuring authors who have contributed to disability literature and advocacy.

The event was made possible through the generous support of the following partners:

• The Arc Macon
• Center for Leadership in Disability
• Crimminz & Associates
• Derek’s Doodles
• Georgia Advocacy Office
• Georgia Council on Developmental Disabilities
• Inclusion Press
• Institute on Human Development and Disability at the University of Georgia
• Otis W. Butler Youth Foundation
• Sangha Unity Network
• The Shefa Fund
• Southern Poverty Law Center of Georgia
• Tubman African American Museum
• Walton Options
• Wesley Glen Ministries
• Wesleyan College
• Dr. Beth Mount, Val Bradley, Bob Herrin, Sally Lockwood, Cynthis Moe and many other disability advocates throughout the state of Georgia

For more information about the exhibit, follow GCDD’s social media channels or visit https://tubmanmuseum.com/embracing-possibility/ or www.gcdd.org for upcoming Embracing Possibility events.

The Georgia Council on Developmental Disabilities (GCDD) is excited to announce the upcoming ”Embracing Possibility: Georgia’s Disability Justice Journey” exhibit at the Tubman African American Museum in Macon, Georgia. The opening celebration will be held on Sunday, May 18, 2025 from 3:00 to 5:00 PM at the museum, located at 310 Cherry Street, Macon, GA 31201.

Waddie Welcome and the Beloved Community Quilt by Beth MountThe exhibit, which will run from May 2025 through June 2026, aims to redefine how people with disabilities are perceived in society by showcasing their courage, creativity, and historic contributions. It highlights the rich history of disability justice in Georgia and beyond, inviting visitors to explore the strength and potential of individuals with intellectual disabilities (ID), their families, and communities. Each experience reveals a unique source of power, encourages creative and courageous action, and leaves visitors transformed by a new understanding of what's possible.

“Embracing Possibility” is made possible through the collaboration of GCDD, Derek’s Doodles, Inclusion Press, the Institute on Human Development and Disability (IHDD) at the University of Georgia, the Georgia Advocacy Office (GAO), Crimminz & Associates, the Center for Leadership in Disability (CLD) at Georgia State University, the Southern Poverty Law Center of Georgia, Sangha Unity Network, Walton Options, Wesley Glen Ministries, Dr. Beth Mount, and many other disability advocates throughout the state of Georgia.

Founded in 1981, the Tubman Museum strives to explore, celebrate, and share the rich art and history of African Americans. It serves as a center of social and civic engagement and a source of experiences that enrich cultural understanding and inspire positive change.

Harriet Tubman, known for her bravery and leadership using the Underground Railroad in the fight against slavery, also lived with a disability. She sustained a traumatic brain injury in her youth, resulting in lifelong seizures and narcoleptic episodes. Tubman's resilience in the face of barriers embodies the spirit of the disability rights movement and emphasizes the strength and capabilities of individuals with disabilities.

The Harriet Tubman Museum honors Tubman's legacy of fighting for freedom for enslaved people and women’s rights, despite barriers. Hosting the exhibit at this museum underscores the historical and symbolic connection between Tubman's legacy and the disability justice movement. It is a fitting venue for the exhibit on Georgia's Disability Justice History due to Tubman's own experiences with disability and her enduring legacy as a symbol of resilience and empowerment. This connection enhances the exhibit's impact and allows visitors to appreciate the contributions of individuals with disabilities.

For more information about the May 18th opening celebration, visit www.gcdd.org or connect with GCDD on our social media channels.

Rena Harris is the Georgia Council on Developmental Disabilities’ (GCDD) new Chief Program Officer. Rena will lead efforts across Georgia to improve services for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities. She will make sure their voices are heard and that the agency's work represents all of Georgia's disability community.

With more than 25 years of experience in disability rights and human services, Rena brings deep expertise in policy advocacy, community engagement, and organizational leadership. She holds an undergraduate degree in Psychology and a master’s degree in Applied Behavior Analysis. She is known for building strong partnerships with self-advocates, families, providers, and policymakers.

She began her career as a Direct Support Professional working with individuals who recently moved from institutions to community-based services. She then spent two decades in Georgia’s provider community. She later held leadership roles within the state’s protection and advocacy system and served as Executive Director of Georgia Options. In that role she oversaw person-centered programs that supported people with developmental disabilities to live in homes of their choosing.

Rena’s commitment to disability justice is also deeply personal. She is autistic and the mother of two young adults, one of whom is also autistic.
She lives in Gwinnett County with her husband, children, and their two dogs and two cats.

M. Cathy Harmon-Christian, PhD is GCDD’s new Public Policy Director. In this role, Cathy will work closely with her team to promote and enact public policies which advance the well-being of all Georgians with intellectual and developmental disabilities. As a proud member of a family with multiple disabilities, she is thrilled to have the opportunity to work with GCDD staff and Council on this important mission.

Cathy grew up in Peoria, IL, and earned a BA in English from Marquette University in Milwaukee, WI; a MA in International Relations from Boston University; a MTS from Spring Hill College in Mobile, AL; and an interdisciplinary PhD from the University of New Hampshire in Durham, NH. She had the unique opportunity to live and work in the community at Schumacher College (Devon, UK) while working on her dissertation. She was a Visiting Scholar at Linacre College, Oxford University, exploring cultural anthropology and ethnography.

Cathy has a strong background of education and experience promoting and advocating for multiple human rights issues. Cathy’s most recent position as Executive Director for Georgians for Alternatives to the Death Penalty resulted in the passing of House Bill 123 in May 2025. This bill ensures people with intellectual disabilities will no longer be executed in the State of Georgia. She worked closely with GCDD and Georgia legislators over the last two years to advance and pass this important legislation.

In her personal time, Cathy loves to read and supports her public library system whenever she can. She also enjoys birding, wet and dry felting, travelling to England to see her adult child and husband, and sharing her home with six cat companions.

Ariel Edwards (LMSW), is the Georgia Council on Developmental Disabilities’ (GCDD) new Program and Policy Specialist whose role focuses on policy research, project management, and initiatives that support Georgians with developmental disabilities. Ariel oversees GCDD’s inclusive post-secondary education (IPSE) programs and the Georgia Inclusive Post-Secondary Education Consortium (GAIPSEC). In this role, Ariel will also analyze policies to inform recommendations for systems change that includes working with GCDD’s public policy team and oversee the implementation of Georgia as a Model Employer (GAME) in partnership with the State ADA Coordinator’s Office.

Ariel earned their BSW and MSW degrees from Georgia State University, with a focus on community partnerships in their graduate studies. They are also a 2024-2025 Georgia Leadership Education in Neurodevelopmental and Related Disabilities (GaLEND) Social Work and Self-Advocacy Fellow. Ariel brings a unique background in promoting and supporting disability and macro social work practice, shaped by their lived experience as a neurodivergent individual.

Ariel’s experience includes facilitating career discussions for neurodiverse students at Georgia State University and co-leading the development of a new peer mentorship program through GaLEND.

In their free time, Ariel enjoys being part of poetry club through myLIFE, connecting with their peer mentor and young adults through the Emory Best Buddies chapter, and attending art workshops at the High Museum.

The Georgia Council on Developmental Disabilities (GCDD) is in the final phases of gathering input for its 2027-2031 Five-Year Strategic Plan. Information gathered from stakeholders across the state will help GCDD form a strategic plan to create systems change for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities (I/DD) and their families. The final plan will guide projects that help the Council influence public policy at both state and federal levels, support capacity building through technical assistance and grants, facilitate discussions on creating change, and promote public awareness of the needs of the disability community.

Currently, GCDD is gathering information through focus groups involving families, self-advocates, and providers. These focus groups are crucial for identifying where resources and programming are needed most. 

To ensure the plan reflects the needs and priorities of the community, GCDD is also collecting information from Georgians through an online survey. We are in the final weeks of the survey being open, and it is vital to include as many voices as possible in this data collection effort. Individuals with I/DD, their families, caregivers, and community advocates are encouraged to take the survey and share it with others. 

The survey, available in both English and Spanish, takes approximately 5-10 minutes to complete and closes soon. To complete the survey, click one of the following links below:

Take the survey:

English: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/G8WYS8J

Spanish: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/GH3C2LY

The survey will end Friday, May 16, 2025. By engaging with the community and incorporating their feedback, GCDD’s goal is to ensure that individuals with I/DD are interdependent, included in their communities, and self-determined in their lives. For more information, visit www.gcdd.org.

Your participation is essential in shaping a future where individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities can thrive. Please complete the survey and share it widely to ensure that every voice is heard.

The Georgia Council on Developmental Disabilities (GCDD) continues to seek public input for its 2027-2031 Five-Year Strategic Plan project. Information gathered from stakeholders across the state will help GCDD form a strategic plan to create systems change for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities (I/DD) and their families. The final plan will guide projects that help the Council influence public policy at both state and federal levels, support capacity building through technical assistance and grants, facilitate discussions on creating change, and promote public awareness of the needs of the disability community. 

To ensure the plan reflects the needs and priorities of the community, GCDD is collecting information from Georgians through an online survey. Individuals with I/DD, their families, caregivers, and community advocates are encouraged to take the survey. Once you have completed the survey, please share it with others.

The survey, available in both English and Spanish, includes multiple-choice questions and opportunities for more in-depth responses, taking approximately 5-10 minutes to complete. To complete the survey, click one of the following links below:

• English: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/G8WYS8J
• Spanish: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/GH3C2LY

Deadline to take the survey is Friday, May 16, 2025.

By engaging with the community and incorporating their feedback, GCDD’s goal is to ensure that individuals with I/DD are interdependent, included in their communities, and self-determined in their lives. For more information, visit our website.