Georgia Advocacy Office

Are you registered for our monthly SDM info session on Thursday July 18th at 6:30 pm.?
This is an informal opportunity to learn the basics of Supported Decision Making and to ask your questions, the ones you can't quite find answers to on website or in videos!

During this 45 minute session we will briefly:
Introduce the principles, benefits, and practical applications of SDM.
Explore Real-life Success Stories
Introduce Tools and Resources
Answer your questions!
Get registrered at https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZwtd-mupzwpE9zZJHRpbWA33OZg8_-8Jk2-

Want to learn more about SDM? Are you looking for answers to a specific questions about SDM and how it works? We are hosting a monthly info session!

Our next session will be Thursday July 18th at 6:30 pm.

During this 45 minute session we will briefly:
Introduce the principles, benefits, and practical applications of SDM.
Explore Real-life Success Stories
Introduce Tools and Resources
Answer your questions!
Get registrered at https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZwtd-mupzwpE9zZJHRpbWA33OZg8_-8Jk2-

Do you want to learn more about SDM? Do you have a couple of questions you just want to get answered? We are hosting a monthly info session!

Our next session will be Thursday July 18th at 6:30 pm.

During this 45 minute session we will briefly:
Introduce the principles, benefits, and practical applications of SDM.
Explore Real-life Success Stories
Introduce Tools and Resources
Answer your questions!
Get registrered at https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZwtd-mupzwpE9zZJHRpbWA33OZg8_-8Jk2-

“It’s clear that the operating model for these facilities is to warehouse as many kids as possible while keeping costs low in order to maximize profits. Too often, abuse and neglect is the norm at these facilities, and they’re set up to let this happen,” said Sen. Ron Wyden, D-Ore., who chairs the Senate Finance Committee.

Residential Facilities Put Kids With IDD At Risk, Senate Investigators Say In a scathing new report, U.S. Senate investigators say that residential treatment facilities serving children with developmental disabilities and other behavioral needs are a hotbed of abuse and neglect.

This Fourth of July remember...

Educate your US Senators about the "SSI Savings Penalty Elimination Act, which would raise the asset limit from $2,000 to $10,000 and from $3,000 to $20,000 for a married couple. That would bring the limits more in line with what they would be if they had kept up with inflation. The legislation also includes annual future raises for inflation."

These disabled people tried to play by the rules. It cost them their federal benefits A little-known Social Security program was supposed to lift people out of poverty. Sometimes it traps them there instead.

Do you or someone you know have a child or teen who has been denied essential mental and behavioral health services by the state? GAO has filed a class action lawsuit on behalf of Medicaid eligible children who experience mental illness and are having difficulty accessing community services. We want to hear your story! Please call GAO at 404-885-1234.

Do you want to learn more about SDM? Do you have a couple of questions you just want to get answered?

Join us next Thursday June 20th at 6:30 pm for the first monthly info session for potential Supported Decision-Making users, caregivers, advocates, professionals, everyone!

During each 45 minute session we will briefly:
Introduce the principles, benefits, and practical applications of SDM.
Explore Real-life Success Stories
Introduce Tools and Resources
Answer your questions!
Get registrered at https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZwtd-mupzwpE9zZJHRpbWA33OZg8_-8Jk2-

Tonight is the night! Join GAO and the Down Syndrome Association of Atlanta to explore the variety of decision-making options available to support a full, meaningful, and good life. Scan the QR code or visit https://www.dsaatl.org/eventcalendar

It’s not too late! Come check out the Caravan for Disability Freedom and Justice! We’re here until 2pm.

The Caravan is Here! Join GAO along with disABILITY LINK, Georgia Council on Developmental Disabilities Rev Up Georgia,Citizen Advocacy of Atlanta & DeKalb, Uniting for Change, Statewide Independent Living Council of Georgia, Inc., and Atlanta Legal Aid Society, Inc. for the 2024 Caravan for Disability Freedom and Justice stop in Tucker, Georgia. This family friendly FREE event is on Monday, June 10 from 10:00AM until 2:00PM. Attendees can see the caravan, register to vote, enjoy lunch on us and learn more about disability rights in Georgia. disABILITY LINK is located in the Northlake Business Park at 1901 Montreal Rd #102 Tucker, GA 30084.

The Caravan for Disability Freedom and Justice kicked off its national campaign this past March and will continue through November of 2024 to travel across the country in a red, white, and blue flag-wrapped caravan, stopping in cities and communities along the way to raise awareness about issues facing the nation’s disability community.

Learn more about the Caravan for Disability Freedom and Justice on their website at https://thedisabilitycaravan.com/

The systems we have built don’t always work for the people they were built for. In this episode, Stephanie Diaz and Dana Lloyd speak on the failure of society to build a system that works well for people with disabilities and their work in the Georgia Advocacy Office (GAO) to address this trend. From individual advocacy, individual legal advocacy, to systematic litigation, on any given day they might touch all three levels of advocacy in order to help make change for the disabled. In the process, their advocacy work helps listeners rethink value, visibility, and voice for the disabled in this episode.
https://www.buzzsprout.com/1995110/15163104-we-see-you-we-stand-with-you-advocating-for-the-disabled

The Caravan for Disability Freedom and Justice 2024 is coming to Atlanta! Join the FREE Caravan stop at disABILITY LINK in Tucker, Georgia on Monday, June 10 from 10am - 2pm. They are located at Northlake Business Park, 1901 Montreal Rd #102 Tucker, GA 30084.

People with disabilities and their allies are driving across America visiting cities that are important to disability history.
Along the way, they will honor and celebrate people and places significant to our 100+ year struggle for freedom and justice. They will share their stories, raise awareness of current issues, and build a national coalition to address these issues.

Learn more about the caravan and other Georgia stops on their website at https://thedisabilitycaravan.com
Rev Up Georgia Georgia Council on Developmental Disabilities Statewide Independent Living Council of Georgia, Inc. Atlanta Legal Aid Society, Inc. Citizen Advocacy of Atlanta & DeKalb

Don't wait, get registered today! I Decide Georgia and the Down Syndrome Association of Atlanta want you to join them for this dynamic event and hear from a family practicing Supported Decision-Making. Scan the QR code or visit https://www.dsaatl.org/eventcalendar

Do you want to learn more about SDM? Do you have a couple of questions you just want to get answered?

Starting June 20th at 6:30 pm we are hosting a monthly info session for potential Supported Decision-Making users, caregivers, advocates, professionals, everyone!

During each 45 minute session we will briefly:
Introduce the principles, benefits, and practical applications of SDM.
Explore Real-life Success Stories
Introduce Tools and Resources
Answer your questions!
Get registrered at https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZwtd-mupzwpE9zZJHRpbWA33OZg8_-8Jk2-

Join GAO along with disABILITY LINK, Georgia Council on Developmental Disabilities Rev Up Georgia,Citizen Advocacy of Atlanta & DeKalb, Uniting for Change, Statewide Independent Living Council of Georgia, Inc., and Atlanta Legal Aid Society, Inc. at the 2024 Caravan for Disability Freedom and Justice stop in Tucker, Georgia. This family friendly FREE event is on Monday, June 10 from 10:00AM until 2:00PM. Attendees can see the caravan, register to vote, enjoy lunch on us and learn more about disability rights in Georgia. disABILITY LINK is located in the Northlake Business Park at 1901 Montreal Rd #102 Tucker, GA 30084.

The Caravan for Disability Freedom and Justice kicked off its national campaign this past March and will continue through November of 2024 to travel across the country in a red, white, and blue flag-wrapped caravan, stopping in cities and communities along the way to raise awareness about issues facing the nation’s disability community.

Learn more about the Caravan for Disability Freedom and Justice on their website at https://thedisabilitycaravan.com/

Join GAO along with disABILITY LINK, Georgia Council on Developmental Disabilities Rev Up Georgia,Citizen Advocacy of Atlanta & DeKalb, Uniting for Change, Statewide Independent Living Council of Georgia, Inc., and Atlanta Legal Aid Society, Inc. at the 2024 Caravan for Disability Freedom and Justice stop in Tucker, Georgia. This family friendly FREE event is on Monday, June 10 from 10:00AM until 2:00PM. Attendees can see the caravan, register to vote, enjoy lunch on us and learn more about disability rights in Georgia. disABILITY LINK is located in the Northlake Business Park at 1901 Montreal Rd #102 Tucker, GA 30084.

The Caravan for Disability Freedom and Justice kicked off its national campaign this past March and will continue through November of 2024 to travel across the country in a red, white, and blue flag-wrapped caravan, stopping in cities and communities along the way to raise awareness about issues facing the nation’s disability community.

Learn more about the Caravan for Disability Freedom and Justice on their website at https://thedisabilitycaravan.com/

The Caravan for Disability Freedom and Justice 2024 is coming to Atlanta! Join the FREE Caravan stop at disABILITY LINK in Tucker, Georgia on Monday, June 10 from 10am - 2pm. They are located at Northlake Business Park, 1901 Montreal Rd #102 Tucker, GA 30084.

People with disabilities and their allies are driving across America visiting cities that are important to disability history.
Along the way, they will honor and celebrate people and places significant to our 100+ year struggle for freedom and justice. They will share their stories, raise awareness of current issues, and build a national coalition to address these issues.

Learn more about the caravan and other Georgia stops on their website at https://thedisabilitycaravan.com
Rev Up Georgia Georgia Council on Developmental Disabilities Statewide Independent Living Council of Georgia, Inc. Atlanta Legal Aid Society, Inc. Citizen Advocacy of Atlanta & DeKalb

The Caravan for Disability Freedom and JUSTICE 2024 Visiting states in the United States to celebrate Disability History

Are you registered yet? Join I Decide Georgia and the Down Syndrome Association of Atlanta to learn about the principles of Supported Decision-Making, ideas for practice, and hear from a Youth Ambassador and their family about their lived experience using SDM. Join Us! Scan the QR code or visit https://www.dsaatl.org/eventcalendar

Emory University Hospital Midtown invited Supported Decision-Making Advisory Council Member John McCarty and Project Director Dana Lloyd to joinn them for Grand Rounds to discuss Equitable and Accessible Healthcare for people with disabilities.

Are you interested in Person Centered Planning, Citizen Advocacy, Personal Growth & Development, and Systems Change in Georgia? Do you want to learn more about Social Role Valorization (SRV) and improving the lives of people with disabilities? Click the link below and sign up for our new mailing list dedicated to Values-Based Training!

Sign Up Sign Up Here!

We are excited spend time with the families of Down Syndrome Association of Atlanta to explore the variety of decision-making options available to support a full, meaningful, and good life. Join Us! Scan the QR code or visit https://www.dsaatl.org/eventcalendar

Today is Election Day for the General Election Primary! Polls are open from 7a-7p. If you have any trouble voting, GAO is here to take your calls.

The primary is Tuesday May 21st,. Go VOTE!

You can vote for more that just people in the upcoming primary, each party's ballot has several non-binding advisory questions. Learn nore about these questions and check your sample ballot so you are prepared to vote!

Have you made your plan to vote?! The General Election Primary is NEXT TUESDAY. Today is the last day to vote early in-person. You can still return your absentee ballot. If you have any trouble GAO is here to help.

If you live in DeKalb County, less than 30,000 people have voted in DeKalb so far. While there are partisan primaries, this is the only opportunity you will have to vote for judges and school board.

Today is the last day of early voting. Election Day is this Tuesday, May 21. On Tuesday, you will vote at your regular precinct. If you aren't sure where you vote, google My Georgia Voter and enter your information.

Did you know election day isn't just in November? In just one week you can vote in Georgia's General Election Primary. Learn more and make your plan to vote today!