Securing the Future: Visions, Decisions, & Advocacy

This is the third annual workshop designed specifically for parents and advocates who support young adults on their journeys to have a full, meaningful, autonomous, and good life as they transition to adulthood. This event is co-sponsored by the Georgia Coalition for Equity in Education and I DECIDE GA, Georgia's Supported Decision-Making project, with the Georgia Advocacy Office. Both projects were made possible with grants from the Georgia Council on Developmental Disabilities.

We will work with participants on leveraging typical pathways toward adulthood and what support people with disabilities need to stay on those pathways. We will discuss the impact of belonging, community participation, and valued roles in our lives as tools for launching us forward and compensating for our challenges. 

Parents will also explore how having a vision and high expectations can act as a north star, a telescope, a compass, and an anchor along the journey to adulthood. Parents supporting young people with disabilities need to be aware of factors that can pull their children off course and how their vision, courage, and consciousness can work to help them achieve a good life. 

Audience and Registration Details

This workshop is designed for parents of young adults with disabilities ages 14–25 who are wondering what comes next in their child’s life. Whether you are entering high school, preparing to graduate, planning for work, or pursuing further education, this workshop provides a practical guide to help you navigate these transitions with confidence. 

Space is limited; each attendee must register before August 6, 2025. The event will take place in Macon at The Tubman African American Museum; parking is free, and lunch will be provided. Attending the workshop includes entrance to the museum, and attendees are encouraged to visit the exhibit before, after, and during breaks.  

There is no fee for attendance. We anticipate a waitlist. If you register and need to cancel, please do so, and we can offer this opportunity to someone on the waitlist. 

Register at: https://lp.constantcontactpages.com/ev/reg/ay2qqcf/lp/5ce68071-53e1-48d9-976e-828162cd7e16?source_id=b45d5b34-821d-4df4-849c-0a55ef565ce0&source_type=em&c=cYqsVAHzhZNeM3cnmkKqAztZEkcvZ1lKWNJZle-OlOp-rhCvbGgbhg==

Location

The Tubman African American Museum is the largest of its kind in the southeast, dedicated to educating people about the Art, History, and Culture of African Americans. “Embracing Possibility” is a groundbreaking exhibit at the Tubman Museum that reimagines how we see people with intellectual disabilities, highlighting their strength, creativity, and community through interactive experiences, art, and storytelling. Created through a statewide collaboration of disability advocates and organizations, the exhibit celebrates Georgia’s rich history of disability justice while inspiring bold action and new ways of thinking. 

Presenters

Leslie Lipson JD, owner of Lipson Advocacy and the Georgia Coalition for Equity in Education (GCEE) Director, will provide practical advice to parents on what legal protections IDEA provides in transition planning and how to maximize those to support successful post-school outcomes. 

Dana Lloyd, Director of Community Outreach and Engagement at the Georgia Advocacy Office, will guide families through considering the various decision-making options available to support autonomy and self-determination. 

Katie Bailey, LCSW, is the Director of Project and Operational Strategy at SUN and a longtime advocate for people with developmental disabilities. Drawing on her leadership at the Georgia Advocacy Office and her training in Social Role Valorization, Katie focuses on building valued social roles and inclusive community life for individuals who have been marginalized. 

PLUS, hear from a panel of parents from across Georgia who will share their experiences and what it takes to navigate a successful high school experience. Attendees will have the opportunity to join our parent panelists in a discussion about why vision matters, the lessons they have learned, and how they have overcome various barriers to success.

Topics To Be Discussed

• Visioning
• High expectations
• Courage
• Belonging
• Promoting self-determination
• Supported Decision Making
• Parenting high school age children
• Leveraging the law to support transition
• Alternatives to guardianship
• Equitable education
• Advocacy
• Valued roles
• Good Life
• Creating relevant legal planning documents (IEP/ISP)
• Natural supports in your community
• Resilience