GCDD Employment/IPSE Advocacy Day

Advocacy Days give members of Georgia's intellectual and developmental disabilities (I/DD) community the chance to connect directly with our state leaders. They are a great opportunity for both new advocates and seasoned ones to have a real impact on our state's policies for people with I/DD.

Employment

Currently, employers at community rehabilitation programs in Georgia can legally pay people with disabilities less than the minimum wage. This is known as a 14c certificate and organizations holding one can pay people as little as 22¢ an hour. Advocates will meet with their legislators to call for a bill to end 14c Certificates. This will ensure fair and livable wages for Georgians with disabilities.

Inclusive Post Secondary Education (IPSE)

Georgia has been leading the way in advocating for Inclusive Post Secondary Education programs. Currently, Georgia has nine schools supporting people with intellectual disabilities (ID) to go to school in Georgia. These programs serve as a pipeline for future skilled and talented candidates with disabilities in Georgia to learn skills and get education that can help them to enter the workforce and/or live independently after college. Advocates will meet with their legislators to thank them for last year’s investment of $1.5 million.

Agenda:

8-8:15 AM – Welcome by D'Arcy Robb at the Coverdale Legislative Office Building

8:15-9:00 AM – Orientation led by GCDD Advocacy Team Charlie Miller and Charlotte Densmore

9:00 AM – Advocates go to Georgia State Capitol to visit with Legislators

12:00 PM – Lunch

1:00 PM – Press conference at Georgia State Capitol

Find Your Legislator: Your Georgia state representative and state senator represent your district in the Georgia General Assembly. Additionally, it's important to know what committees they sit on and what bills they have sponsored in the past. Find your Senator and Representative online using Plural.

Host or Publisher Georgia Council on Developmental Disabilities