Published: February 11, 2010 01:14 pm      

Winter 2010 Making a Difference looks at census, legislative agenda

ATLANTA — The Winter 2010 edition of Making a Difference highlighted the annual Discovery Day event that happened on December 16. Discovery Day brings together professionals and disability advocates to discuss practical visions for an all-inclusive world. This year’s theme was “Making Accessible Travel and Tourism a Reality in Georgia.”

“Our ultimate goal is to bring together the diverse spectrum of Georgia citizens and use their talents to create an inclusive society,” said Tom Seegmueller, chairperson of GCDD. Discovery Day brought together experts in travel and tourism from across the country.

Bill Curtis-Davidson of IBM and Arthur Murphy of Aeolian Solutions introduced “Georgia Inclusive Travel & Tourism,” the inaugural white paper from the Georgia Alliance for Accessible Technologies, which proposes a coordinated effort to work toward inclusive travel and tourism in Georgia. As tourism is the second largest industry in Georgia, advocates are cheering the state on to become a leader to the rest of the United States and to the world.

GCDD collaborated with G3ict, Harstfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport and Renaissance Concourse Hotel, and partnered with Airserv, Delta Air Lines and IBM.

As the entire world celebrates the dawn of a new decade, United States citizens prepare once again to partake in the census. Advocates are eager for participation from the disability community. “There is certainly that desire to make sure that the disability community is included in the final number,” said Eric Jacobson, executive director of GCDD. The census must be completed and mailed; other options are

currently not available, though if anyone has any difficulty in filling out the forms, census bureau workers will be available for assistance.

Georgia’s 2010 Legislative Session has several important issues on the docket - the problem is with a limited budget. “Revenue declines are twice what we experience last year,” writes Pat Nobbie, deputy director at GCDD. “The week before Thanksgiving, the Chairman of House Appropriations Rep. Ben Harbin (R-Evans) announced that another $350 million would have to come out of the budget once the legislative session started, and no agency would be spared.”

GCDD is working with disability advocates across the state for the Unlock the Waiting Lists! campaign along with the Money Follows the Person waivers to be priorities for state government officials in the 2010 legislative session.

Other stories in the Winter 2010 edition include information on GCDD’s Real Communities Initiative and the Parent Protection Act. There is also information on the upcoming annual Disability Day, to be held at the state capitol on Thursday, February 25, 2010. This year’s Disability Day keynote speakers are Kathy Martinez, Assistant Secretary of the US Department of Labor Office of Disability Employment Policy (ODEP) and Julie Petty, former national chair of SABE (Self-Advocates Becoming Empowered).

Making a Difference is published by the Georgia Council on Developmental Disabilities. Current and past issues are available in accessible formats online at www.gcdd.org. GCDD is an independent state agency, funded by federal grants, that works to foster a better understanding of the challenges, concerns and lifestyles of people with disabilities in Georgia. To accomplish this goal, GCDD collaborates with a broad coalition of organizations, agencies and individuals, all working to improve the quality of life for Georgians with disabilities.

The next GCDD quarterly meeting will be held April 15-16 in Cordele, Georgia. For more information, visit www.gcdd.org or call 404-657-2126.