Community Calendar December 2002 through March 2003 December 31 Application deadline for Georgia Voices that Count, a disability rights advocacy training and support project. It is designed and led by people with disabilities, for people with disabilities to become leaders in their local communities, in the state and in the nation. The criteria for selection include: Living in Georgia, having a disability, a strong interest in disability rights advocacy, commitment to attend the four training and support sessions held around the state, commitment to undertake an advocacy project. For an application or more information, please contact Linda Pogue at disABILITY LINK 404-638-5151 or GreenPogue@aol.com. January 9 Brain and Spinal Injury Trust Fund Commission Press Conference and Open House to Celebrate the issuing of first checks to consumers, 10 am-2pm, Atlanta. For more information: 404/651-5112 www.bsitf.state.ga.us 13 Governor's Inauguration, Philips Arena, Atlanta. Details at http://www.anewgeorgia.com Opening Day of the 2003 Georgia State Legislative Session. 15 ARC Network Legislative Day & Reception, Atlanta, call Kamini Ramcharran at 404-634-5512 or arcgeorgia@earthlink.net 15-18 The Assistive Technology Industry Association 2003 Conference, Radisson Hotel, Orlando, Florida. There will be over 50 presentations offered by leading professionals in the industry, and exhibit hall, demonstrations, computer labs and more showcasing excellence in assistive technology. Visit http://www.ATIA.org or call (877) 687-2842 . 16 Mental Health Day at the Capitol, 9 am, Atlanta, Lisa Pace at 404-758-4500 for more information or gpsn@mindspring.com 16-17 Governor's Council on Developmental Disabilities Council Meeting, Peachtree Westin Hotel, Atlanta. For times or other details, please call Tonya Harris at (404) 657-2126. 20 Freedom Day, details at http://www.adapt.org/ 17-20 Southern Immersion Learning about Self-Determination, Baton Rouge, Louisiana. Learning will focus on two strands: 1) introduction to the concepts and principles of self-determination, and 2) systems change issues in-depth. For more information contact pcarver@chartermi.net 23-25 Families USA Health Action 2003 Conference, Mayflower Hotel, Washington, D.C. This is the annual January gathering of the broad health advocacy community, bringing together about 600 staff and leaders - from organized labor, health coalitions, children's and seniors' groups, the faith community, communities of color, and progressive health care providers - to learn from each other, exchange strategies and visions. Details about the agenda, logistics, and registration materials at the conference Web page at: http://familiesusa.org/conference2003.htm or contact Jeff Kirsch at jkirsch@familiesusa.org or 800.593.5041. 28 Blindness Awareness Day at the Capitol, Call Diane Healy, 770-399-9456 or ldhealy@negia.net 30-Feb 1 Second Annual New Partners for Smart Growth: Building Safe, Healthy, and Livable Communities. Sheraton New Orleans Hotel, Louisiana. More information at http://www.outreach.psu.edu/C&I/SmartGrowth/ or (800) PSU-TODAY. 30 Feb 4 Adapted Snow Ski Trip offered by the Shepherd Center and SkiMore Tours in Breckenridge, Colorado. Call (404) 350-7797 or visit http://www. skimoretours.com February 5 Healthy Mothers, Healthy Babies Day at the Capitol. Please call 770-451- or 451-5505 for details. 0020 10 Substance Abuse Legislative Advocacy Day. Please call Donna Dixon, 404-523-3440. 12-13 Poor People's Day at the Capitol. Contact Sandra Robertson at Coalition on Hunger at (404) 622-7778. the Georgia Citizen's 20-21 Visual Strategies for Improving Communication & Behavior with Linda Hodgdon, M.Ed., CCC-SLP. Atlanta, Radison Hotel Northlake. Call 248-879-2598 Visit http://click.topica.com/maaayq9aaTK7ba4Jjj0b/ or for details. March 1-10 Giant Steps Therapy Cent - Auditory Integration Training with Jackie Rockwell - Certified Audiologist and SLP. Dates are tentative pending adequate registrations. Atlanta, GA, For more information call 800-952-0288 or email giantsteps@earthlink.net 10-16 Cover the Uninsured Week The Robert Wood Johnson Foundation and some of the most influential organizations in the United States will cosponsor Cover the Uninsured Week. This unprecedented weeklong series of national and local activities will take place this week in an effort to sensitize the public and opinion leaders to the plight of the more than 41 million Americans who lack health insurance. See http://www.CoverTheUninsuredWeek.org for details. 13 Disability Day at the Capitol, 10 am-2 pm. If your organization is interested in sponsorship opportunities, please call Danielle Doughman 404-657-2126. Join people with disabilities, families,policymakers, and advocates for legislative updates, exhibits at the capitol, and lunch with legislators. A reservation is required. Please reserve your space today at http://www.gcdd.org/dday/rsvp or (888) ASK-GCDD. 14 AIDS Awareness Day, Atlanta. Please call Gerry Hoyt, 404-874-7926 ext. 13 or email ghoyt@aidssurvivalproject.org Save the Date Georgia Association of Homes and Services for Children's 2003 Annual Conference will be held April 14-16 in Hilton Head, South Carolina. This year's theme is "It takes a Crew to Raise a Child" and focuses on the collaboration that is needed to successfully help a child navigate rough waters. For more information please call (404) 572-5170. Alliance for Nonprofit Management's Annual Conference in Houston, Texas June 19-22. The theme for the event is, Capacity Building for What? A Mosaic of Opportunities. The audience will be nonprofit consultants, trainers, researchers, grant makers, publishers, umbrella organizations, and others who help strengthen nonprofits and the sector as a whole. The conference gathers hundreds of influential people who work with thousands of nonprofits. For more information, visit http://www.allianceonline.org/conf2003/index.cfm?load=intro2003.html June 23 marks the 4th Anniversary of the Olmstead decision. Olmstead was an historic Supreme Court decision that ruled that it is a violation of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) to discriminate against people with disabilities by providing services only in institutions when they could be served in a community-based setting. Details on events to follow in the next Community Calendar. Get monthly Community Calendar e-updates at http://www.gcdd.org/pi/currentevents/index.html If your organization is sponsoring or hosting a statewide disability event, please call or email Danielle Doughman at (404)657-2125 ddoughman@dhr.state.ga.us. To be included in the next calendar, entries must be received no later than the 15th of each month. GOVERNOR'S COUNCIL ON DEVELOPMENTAL DISABILITIES Two Peachtree Street Eighth Floor Ste 210 Atlanta, GA 30303