1

Annual Report

The mission of the Georgia Council on Developmental Disabilities (GCDD) is to bring about social and policy changes that promote opportunities for persons with developmental disabilities and their families to live, learn, work, play and worship in Georgia communities. For a message from GCDD Executive Director Eric Jacobson, click on the video.
In 2016, we worked with our partners, Council members, advocates and community to continue achieving inclusive and integrated communities in Georgia. Here are some highlights of the year, and if you want to learn more, click on the links provided in each section for a more detailed look on how GCDD's work impacts the lives of people with developmental disabilities:

Created New Five Year Strategic Plan Goals

2

3

4

5

Education

Employment Formal/Informal Supports Real Communities

Self-Advocacy

The New Five Year Strategic Plan for 2017-2021 was completed and approved by the Administration on Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities (AIDD). The goals laid the framework for the Council's work from 2017-2021 that will address services and supports across the
State for people with developmental disabilities. Click here to read more about the final plan.

Georgia's First Take Your Legislator to Work Day (TYLTWD) kicked off in October 2015 to raise
awareness about the benefits of hiring individuals with disabilities. The initiative was an exercise in advocacy to bring together legislators with people with developmental disabilities and employers who are supporting this effort in their districts. Read their stories here.
40 Legislative Visits Took Place for the first TYLTWD.

18 Years of Disability Days at the Capitol remembered.
GCDD celebrates their final Disability Day in Atlanta and moves the focus to Advocacy Days to build stronger advocates. The 2016 Disability Day video provides an overview of this 18 year legacy. GCDD cannot be successful in its legislative advocacy without the voices of people with disabilities, their families and other allies.

GCDD hosted Advocacy Days at the Capitol during the 2016 legislative session to let people with disabilities, their families and other stakeholders meet legislators and discuss what is important to them. Read what some of these advocates thought about their first-hand experience telling their stories to legislators and why this is such an important means of advocacy for GCDD.

7 Advocacy Days held at the GA State Capitol

6 Real Communities PARTNERSHIPS

l Al Tamyoz Community Building/Basmat Ahmed l Centenary United Methodist Church l D.A.S.H. for LaGrange, Inc. l Forsyth Farmers' Market l Georgians For Alternatives to the Death Penalty l Peacebuilders Camp at Koinonia Farms

Real Communities Partnerships Receives Full Inclusion Award from AIDD.

Real Communities Partnerships seek to support communities who welcome and utilize the gifts of everyone, including those historically marginalized and create avenues toward reciprocity, interdependence and social change. Read about our award-winning concept.

Expanded Project

SEARCH sites in

Georgia Cities

14

Project SEARCH is a business-led, high school-to-work transition program, serving students

with developmental disabilities with the goal

of integrated employment.

7 IPSE* PROGRAMS
l Kennesaw State University l East Georgia State College l Columbus State University l Georgia Institute of Technology l Albany Technical College l Georgia State University l University of Georgia
* Inclusive post-secondary education (IPSE) programs provide students with intellectual disabilities a college experience. GCDD is the legislative lead for the Georgia Inclusive Postsecondary Education Consortium who seeks opportunities for these students.

19 GCDD Funded & Supported Activities
GCDD supports a variety of activities from Project SEARCH to Advocacy to Real Communities Partnerships. Click here to see the full list.

$2.69 Amount per year GCDD spends to support people with developmental disabilities in GA.

Publicly Funded System $209,244
Transition $445,347

Real Council $575,310

Self-Advocacy $196,430
Public Policy $385,391

GCDD BUDGET
2016

Real Communities
$582,056

Public Awareness $296,381

Period covered Oct 1, 2015 - Sep 30, 2016

Thanks to the our over 50 Council Members, Partners and Staff
who continue to serve as advocates for all persons with developmental disabilities by increasing opportunities for independence, inclusion, integration, productivity and self-determination. View our current Council here.

GCDD 2016 Annual Report 2 Peachtree Street NW, Suite 26-246, Atlanta, GA 30303-3142 404.657.2126 gcdd.org