The Georgia Council on Developmental Disabilities (GCDD) recognizes March as Developmental Disabilities (DD) Awareness Month. The goal for this month is to create awareness about developmental disabilities, teach the importance of inclusion within every aspect of life and to share the stories of individuals with a disability to show that a successful life is possible.

Through supported employment services, such as job coaching and customized employment, people with developmental disabilities can engage in competitive, integrated employment. Georgia recognized this in 2018, when the General Assembly designated Georgia as an Employment First state through the passage of House Bill 831, “Georgia’s Employment First Act”.  Unfortunately, only 13% of Georgians with developmental disabilities are currently in competitive, integrated employment. The vast majority of Georgians with developmental disabilities who receive services from state systems are not working and instead attending day services, which is not consistent with Georgia’s Employment First status, according to the GCDD.

The group is urging Georgia residents to contact the their representatives in the General Assembly and urge them to consider a hearing or study committee that focuses on the current work of the state agencies in supporting Georgians with developmental disabilities to go to work and how the current services can be improved.

Chattooga County Commissioner Blake Elsberry recently issued a proclamation recognizing March as Developmental Disabilities Month.  The commissioner said, “I urge the citizens of Chattooga County to give full support to efforts toward enabling people with intellectual development disabilities to live productive lives and achieve their potential.”