Making a Difference Magazine || Summer 2007

GEORGIA GOVERNOR’S COUNCIL ON DEVELOPMENTAL DISABILITIES

Real Homes. Real Careers. Real Learning. Real Influence. Real Supports.

SUMMER 2007

www.gcdd.orgwww.gcdd.org

SUMMER 2007

Features8Hundreds of Georgians toLeave InstitutionsGeorgia receives a federal MoneyFollows the Person (MFP) grant tohelp people move into thecommunities of their choice.

12Georgia Passes SpecialNeeds ScholarshipParents can now use stateeducation dollars to help fund private school tuition for their children.

18Advocates Celebrate Milestones at Long Road HomeMarchers happy with newinitiatives, but still plan to makesure the state implements themappropriately.

21Summer Fun: Activities for Everyone!From swimming to horsebackriding, recreational opportunitiesfor children and adults in Georgiaare explored.

4GCDD ViewpointAdvocates who “got in the way” helped Georgianswith Disabilities leadbetter lives.

5Around GCDDDiscovery Tour date set;Organizing Institutedrawing to a close; awardwinners announced.

6NewsEmployment a GrowingFocus for MHDDAD;Artists, Children withAutism Collaborate onMasterpieces; PerdueVetoes Therapy Bill;ADAPT Secures Commit-ments from HUD Secretary

16PerspectivesAdvocates share opinionson the impact of the ADA.

24Expert UpdateGeorgia’s ADA Coordinatorgives advice on how touse ADA to improve lives.

27Straight TalkZen Garcia reveals why he is so committed to theLong Road Home march.

28Mia’s SpaceMia and her family struggleto help her lose weight.

DepartmentsIn Each Issue3 Letter from

Governor Sonny Perdue

27 Editorial Cartoon

29 Calendar

30 Resources

2 Making a Difference • Summer 2007

TABLE OF CONTENTS

pg. 8pg. 8

www.gcdd.org 3

FROM THE GOVERNOR

Volume 8, Issue 1 Summer 2007

A quarterly magazine of theGovernor’s Council on

Developmental Disabilities

The Governor’s Council on DevelopmentalDisabilities collaborates with Georgia’scitizens, public and private advocacyorganizations and policymakers to

positively influence public policies thatenhance the quality of life for peoplewith disabilities and their families.

GCDD provides this through education and advocacy activities,

program implementation, funding andpublic policy analysis and research.

Tom SeegmuellerChairperson

[email protected]

Eric E. JacobsonExecutive Director

[email protected]

Valerie Meadows SuberEditor-in-Chief &

Public Information [email protected]

2 Peachtree Street NW, Suite 26-246Atlanta, GA 30303-3142

Voice 404-657-2126Fax 404-657-2132

Toll free 1-888-275-4233TDD 404-657-2133

www.gcdd.org

Valerie Smith BuxtonManaging Editor

O’Neill Communications, [email protected]

O’Neill Communications, Inc.Design & Layout

To Georgia’s Disability Community,

I t is with a great deal of pride that I offer my congratulations to themany advocates for people with disabilities, the Governor’s Council onDevelopmental Disabilities (GCDD) and Gwen Skinner, Director for the

State Division of Mental Health, Developmental Disabilities and AddictiveDiseases for your leadership and advocacy for people with disabilities. Theresults of your hard work are remarkable

Here in Georgia, people with developmental disabilities arebenefiting from the largest funding increase in Georgia history –moving Georgia’s ranking from 44 – 30 in terms of community-based services according to the 2007 United Cerebral PalsyReport. And, since 2005, close to 4,000 new Medicaid waiversamounting to over $100 million are being provided to individualswith disabilities including cerebral palsy, Down syndrome andautism. By 2008, the state will be providing services to 3,000additional people with developmental disabilities.

Together, we have been successful in adding 925 newMedicaid waivers in 2005 for people with developmentaldisabilities; an unprecedented 1,500 in 2006 and another 1,500in 2007. Of these waivers, 340 were earmarked just for children.As a result of the new waivers, and consumer-driven services,Georgians with developmental disabilities and their families will havegreater control and choice in their daily lives.

These new Medicaid waivers and all of the progress that has occurred isa result of collaboration among advocates, consumers, families and publicpolicy makers. Your achievements and success are shining examples of whatcan be accomplished by working together to achieve extraordinary results.

Together, we are building a better Georgia for people with disabilities.

Sonny PerdueGovernor

G OV E R N O R ’ S COUNCIL ONDEVELOPMENTALDISABILITIES

Summer in Georgia means more than swelteringheat, school vacation and outdoor recreation for disability rights advocates. Summer is time

for Long Road Home.For the past four years, on June 22, Long Road Home

organizers have commemorated the 1999 landmark U.S.Supreme Court Olmstead Decision that ushered in a new

era of civil rights for people withdisabilities who fought to live in thecommunity instead of locked away ininstitutions. Thanks to the courage of twoGeorgia women, Lois Curtis and the lateElaine Wilson, the season signals a call toaction, marking how far we have come andhow far we still have to go towardestablishing public policy that affordsindividuals and families who live withdisabilities the freedoms we all deserve.

When Rep. John Lewis speaks of theorigin of his civil rights activism, heexhorts, “The action of Rosa Parks, thewords of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. inspiredme to find a way to get in the way. I got inthe way; I got in trouble. It was goodtrouble; it was necessary trouble. You mustget in the way, you must get in trouble.”

This year Long Road Home included therecording of stories by today’s disabilityactivists; documenting the testimonies ofthose who continue to advocate, uplift,carry on or just plain get in the way oftired attitudes that hinder them fromachieving their goals. We send specialthanks to the Atlanta Downtown CentralLibrary where the video recording sessionswere held.

While we reflect on the past and movetoward the future, we realize we perpetually

arrive at new destinations. Each mile traveled is anopportunity, a new challenge, another mountainsurmounted, a plateau reached; then respite.

Enjoy the rest of the summer, as you stay informedwith this edition of Making A Difference. In addition tocovering Long Road Home, this issue reports on the $34million Money Follows the Person (MFP) grant recentlyobtained by Georgia; SB10 – legislation which willprovide scholarships for school children with disabilities;

perspectives on how well the ADA is working; and,options for summer recreation.

Finally, we share with you GCDD’s recently adoptedcore message. The core message offers a generaldescription of how GCDD views the role it plays with itspartners in the disability community, how we engage thesystem, the parties with whom we collaborate andconditions we work to change.

A Message From GCDD...• Too many Georgians don’t live in their

own homes, can’t get a good education,can’t find satisfying work or have a voicein their future – just because they havea developmental disability.

• The Governor’s Council on DevelopmentalDisabilities (GCDD) is a resource forleading, supporting, joining anddeveloping welcoming communities across Georgia for people with disabilities,families, friends and neighbors.

• GCDD advocates for Georgians withdevelopmental disabilities so they canlive, learn, work, play and worship whereand how they choose by engagingcommunity and business leaders,lawmakers and the general public –people like you and me.

• To this end, GCDD funds pilot projects,conducts public policy research andanalysis, provides training and distributes public information.We want to hear from you. Let us know what issues

are important in your lives. Contact our editor-in-chiefValerie Meadows Suber at 888-275-4233 or via e-mail [email protected].

GCDD VIEWPOINT


GCDD Urges Advocates to “Get in the Way”

Eric E. JacobsonExecutive Director, GCDD

Tom SeegmuellerChairperson, GCDD

ERICE.JACOBSON

TOMSEEGM

UELLER

AROUND GCDD

www.gcdd.org 5

Letters to the EditorLetters should include the writer’s full name, address, phone number, and may be edited for purpose ofclarity and space.

Contact Our Editor and Public Information Director:Valerie Meadows Suber,[email protected], 404-657-2122Fax 404-657-2132

or: 2 Peachtree Street, NWSuite 26-246Atlanta, GA 30303-3142

Audio or Large Print Versions:For an audio version of Making aDifference, please contact GCDD. A large font version is available fordownload at www.gcdd.org.

Sponsorship:For sponsorship opportunities contact:Valerie Buxton at 770-578-9765 [email protected]

Subscriptions/Back Issues:Visit us at our Web site: www.gcdd.org or call us: 404-657-2126.

It is our policy to publish readers’comments. Contents do not necessarilyreflect the opinions of GCDD, theeditors or state government.

HOW TO REACH US

G OV E R N O R ’ S COUNCIL ONDEVELOPMENTALDISABILITIES

Discovery Tour to Highlight Best Practices in Employment

Georgia’s top executives, chief diversity officers andhuman resources officers will learn how people withdisabilities can contribute to their companies during theseventh annual Making a Difference Discovery Tour September27 at The Home Depot headquarters.

Sponsored by the Governor’s Council on DevelopmentalDisabilities and The Home Depot, the tour will featuresuccess stories from both employers and people with disabilities.

“Past attendees have been surprised to learn that most people with disabilitiesoften need just a few accommodations to make them productive and reliable staffmembers,” remarked organizer Valerie Meadows Suber, GCDD public informationofficer and editor-in-chief of Making a Difference magazine.

“And many employers discover this vastly untapped labor market to be highlyreliable and qualified,” she continued.

For more information about the tour, which will be held from 8 AM – 1 PMSeptember 27, contact Suber at 404-657-2122 or [email protected].

First Organizing Institute Close to CompletionAdvocates who took part in GCDD’s first Organizing Institute have completed

the training portion, and most are about half way through their advocacy projects,according to Kate Gainer, GCDD advocacy director.

Though the group is no longer meeting for training sessions, they still check inwith each other via conference calls to get input and support from their classmates.

Gainer expects the projects to be completed by the end of September and isplanning a graduation in late October to honor the participants.

“This group has worked hard to promote inclusion of people with disabilities in the community,” Gainer said. “They should be recognized for that.”

A second Organizing Institute, which helps active advocates create lastingchange by focusing efforts on the local level to change the hearts and minds ofneighbors, friends and family, is in the planning stages.

For information on how to apply to the institute, contact Kate Gainer at 404-657-2125 or [email protected].

GCDD Announces Award WinnersGeorgians who played an exceptional role in improving the lives of people with

disabilities were honored at GCDD’s annual awards banquet July 26 in Atlanta. Withso many new initiatives to celebrate, choosing these few winners was difficult, butthe following individuals and organizations showed great leadership:

Legislators of the YearRep. Tim Bearden (R-Carrollton)Sen. Renee Unterman (R-Loganville)

Council Person Of The Year –Carl C. Cunningham Award

Bruce Lindemann

Advocate of the YearPaulette Acevedo

Media Organizations of the YearGeorgia TrendWaycross Journal HeraldCreative Loafing


NEWS

Last year, the Georgia Division ofMental Health, DevelopmentalDisabilities and Addictive Diseases(MHDDAD) helped more than 8,000people get jobs – people oftenisolated from mainstream society.Employment services have become an increasing focus of MHDDAD.MHDDAD funds organizations thathelp integrate consumers into regular

work settings – enablingconsumers to earn a livingand contribute their skillsand talents.

“Helping people getwell requires more than talktherapy; they need jobs,”said Gwen Skinner, MHDDADDirector. “Therefore, ourservices include medicationmanagement, family coun-seling and employment.”

American Works isone organization that ismaking a difference. An

MHDDAD funded program, AmericanWorks provides employment servicesfor people with disabilities through-out the state. Ken Whiddon, founderand CEO, said, “The only tool thatallows people to live life to its fullestis employment. With their earnings,people can get an apartment, a newpair of shoes or go on a date. It alsogives them more of a reason to takemedicines and see their doctor.”

Another example is ProjectSearch, the first program of its kindin Georgia, which supports peoplewith developmental disabilities.Project Search currently works withtwo Atlanta area hospitals, NorthFulton and Crawford Long. Routinework that would otherwise occupynurses is now handed to people withdevelopmental disabilities includingDown syndrome and cerebral palsy.

The goal of MHDDAD employmentsupport is to assist individuals toacquire meaningful employment that pays competitive wages in anintegrated community setting workingalongside non-disabled workers. Staffprovides specific job development,placement and coaching. Individualsare assessed on a continuous basis for training needs. In addition, staffdelivers training while consumers are on the job.

ADAPT SecuresCommitments fromHUD Secretary

During ADAPT’s Spring Action inWashington, D.C. April 28 - May 3,500 members of ADAPT met with U.S.Department of Housing and UrbanDevelopment Secretary AlphonsoJackson and three members of hisstaff. By the end of the meeting,Jackson had stated, “Fair Housing isa right.” And he made a number ofcommitments to ADAPT, including:

• Informing ADAPT, before theSeptember ADAPT action inChicago, on how many housingvouchers for persons withdisabilities he has recovered from the 58 percent loss invouchers that the disabilitycommunity suffered due to acombination of federal budgetcuts and misappropriation by local entities that administer the voucher program across the country.

• Vowing to eliminate the “out-rageous” level of discrimination in housing against persons withdisabilities. HUD recently reported

that 40 percent of the FairHousing complaints filed withHUD are based on the “protectedclass” of disability. This numbersurpasses, for the first time inhistory, the percentage ofcomplaints filed on the basis of race (39 percent).

• Facilitating a meeting betweenADAPT and Reps. Barney Frank (D-Mass.) and Maxine Waters (D-Calif.). Frank is chair of theHouse Committee on FinancialServices, and Waters is chair ofthe Financial Services Committee’sSub-committee on Housing andCommunity Opportunity. ThisCommittee and Sub-committee are responsible for legislationaffecting changes to the Section811 program. ADAPT is calling for a restructuring of the Sec. 811 housing program to provideaffordable, accessible, integratedhousing, as well as increase thenumber of vouchers available topersons with disabilities, both of which will require action byCongress. Sec. 811 is thesegregated housing program forpersons with disabilities. Thesegregated housing program forolder persons is Sec. 202.

• Working with ADAPT onimplementing its Access AcrossAmerica Program, which wouldprovide housing vouchers topersons with disabilities innursing homes and IntermediateCare Facilities-Mental Retardation(ICF-MR) that, combined withMoney Follows the Person andpreviously existing initiatives in

Employment a Growing Focus for MHDDAD

Gwen Skinner,MHDDAD Director

HUD Secretary Alphonso Jackson

meets with ADAPT activists.

www.gcdd.org 7

NEWS

the states, will get people out ofnursing homes and into affordable,accessible, integrated housing intheir own communities.

• Agreeing to meet with ADAPTthree times a year, with the nextmeeting most likely occurring inChicago during the ADAPT action,September 8-13.

“ADAPT is pleased that SecretaryJackson came to us, and we arecautiously optimistic at thispoint,” said CassieJames, PhiladelphiaADAPT organizer.“His own personalexperience withdiscriminationgives him awindow into theunconscionablediscrimination inobtaining affor-dable, accessible,integrated housing thatis experienced by peoplewith disabilities all over America.We look forward to the Secretarykeeping his commitments andpartnering with us to improve thecurrent sad state of affairs.”

While in Washington, ADAPT also took over the building thathouses the American HospitalAssociation (AHA), ultimatelyreceiving a commitment from AHAleadership to meet with 15 ADAPTmembers in the next 30 days.

ADAPT is demanding that theAHA endorse the Community ChoiceAct (S 799, H.R. 1621); work withADAPT to develop a hospitaldischarge protocol that will steerpeople into community services, notinstitutional services; put ADAPT onthe agenda of the next AHAconference; and finally, write a letter to all AHA member hospitalsencouraging them to make dischargereferrals that do not inappropriatelysegregate and institutionalize peoplewith disabilities, thus complying

with the U.S. Supreme Court Olmstead decision.

Artists,Children withAutism Collaborateon Masterpieces

Krause Gallery artists worked with students at The Marcus InstituteSchool and Early Intervention Programto create outstanding works of art.The pieces were incorporated into ashow called “All the same.. .Alldifferent. . .A Convergence of ArtistsII” and were on display at the KrauseGallery June 8 - July 20.

Perdue VetoesTherapy Bill

After passing both houses of theGeorgia legislature, House Bill 549 wasvetoed by Gov. Sonny Perdue May 30.

Georgia legislators wanted toamend Chapter 4 of Title 49 of theOfficial Code of Georgia Annotated,related to public assistance to ensurechildren with disabilities receive themedically necessary therapy services to which they are entitled under theMedicaid Early Periodic Screening,Diagnostic and Treatment Program andto simplify the process and paperworkby which occupational, speech andphysical therapy services are appliedfor and received by eligible recipients.

“HB 549 seeks to amend priorauthorization requirements forrecipients of Medicaid funded services.The proposed changes inadvertentlyconflict with federal mandates onMedicaid services. Specifically, HB 549would restrict the State’s ability toconduct appropriate priorauthorization review as required byfederal regulations,” Perdue said.

“Federal regulators have alsoindicated an objection to theestablishment of different standards for recipients based on a generalcategorization of their conditionrather than based on an individual’sspecific medical needs and likelyrehabilitation and recovery. For thesereasons, federal approval of thechanges mandated by HB 549 is notexpected. The timeliness of theseservices, particularly to thisconstituency is important. I am,therefore, directing the Department of Community Health (DCH) tocontinue its efforts to provide for amore stream-lined preauthorizationprocess so as not to unduly burden the practitioners and patients this billseeks to assist,” he explained. DCHunveiled some streamlined processes,effective July 1, 2007, in accordancewith the governor’s directive. Pleasevisit www.ghp.georgia.gov/wps/output/en_US/public/Provider/MedicaidManuals/CIS_v7_2007-07.pdf,page 11, to view the updated priorapproval process. l

These pieces were collab-

orative efforts between artists David Peterson,

Brandon Morrison and some children

who attend the Marcus Institute.

”

“


More than half of Georgianswith developmentaldisabilities who are living in

state-run institutions will soon be ableto enjoy life in the community of theirchoice, thanks to a $34 million federalMoney Follows the Person (MFP) grantrecently obtained by Georgia.

The MFP initiative allows Medicaid funding tofollow the person to the most appropriate andpreferred setting. It also provides special fundingfor one time or short-term expenses that enablethe person to make the transition between theinstitution and community settings, such asutility deposits or special equipment.

Dr. Joan Krispyn, former director ofoccupational and physical therapy at East CentralRegional Hospital, often advocates for her bestfriend Kathy Crowder, who has lived at the stateinstitution for 40 years (see sidebar, page 11).“It’s not just a matter of the money following theperson, the money needs to go ahead, and getthings ready – all Kathy wants is a room with aview and lots of friendly neighbors; but her housemust also have accessible ramp-access for herwheelchair; an electric lift to move her from bedto chair; a raised tub in the bathroom; a van totake her places.”

Applied for jointly by the Departments ofCommunity Health (DCH) and Human Resources(DHR), about $14 million will go toward moving600 people with developmental disabilities out ofinstitutions, while the other $20 million will goto provide community supports for elderlyGeorgians and people with physical disabilities.

“The first year of the grant is for planningthe program,” explained Judy Hagebak, DCH

director of Aging and Community Services. “The timeline is to start transitioning people next May.”

In the meantime, however, the state willcontinue its current work. “We’re not sitting stillon waivers in the interim because the state hasbeen very good to us – we got 1,500 (state-funded) waivers in the last legislative session,”said DHR Director of Mental Health,Developmental Disabilities and Addictive DiseaseGwen Skinner. “We reserved a portion of those tomove people out of hospitals.

“The grant is a continuation of a trend. We’vereduced by 50 percent in the last 10 years thenumber of people with disabilities in our statehospitals, so that tells you how far we’ve come,” she said.

Several work groups on aging, developmentaldisabilities, physical disabilities and mentalhealth are working simultaneously to determine

how best to implement the transitions that will be paid for through the grant.

“It’s a joint effort to bring all resourcestogether for everybody,” Hagebak said. “We want to make sure a waiver slot for a person is available when the person is ready to transition out of the institution, that there’s no waiting list.”

In addition to planning for the Georgianswho will be moving out of the institutions, theplanning will also encompass how to transition

Hundreds of Georgians

to Leave Institutions

By Valerie Smith Buxton

The grant is a

continuation of a

TREND.We’ve reduced by

50 percent in the

last 10 years the

number of peoplewith disabilities

in our statehospitals,so that tells you

how far we’ve

come.

Hundreds of Georgians

to Leave Institutions

“It’s a joint effort to bring

all resources together for everybody.”

www.gcdd.org 9

workers.“Statehospitalswill still beneeded, butthey’re not where wewant to serve people with developmentaldisabilities,” Skinner said.

John Chandler, director of community-basedservice provider, Star Choices in Macon, has hadsome experience transitioning people fromsegregated settings into more integrated ones.

Chandler worked at a private preschoolprogram for children with disabilities, where thestaff went from serving the children in one place to following them into the community.“Eventually we started working toward gettingthose kids into typical day care and schoolprograms. We realized that’s what had to bedone, in their best interest, so we made that apriority. Some of the children still required thesame level of support – we just delivered supportin 10 or 12 different places instead of one. Someneeded a lot of support, and many didn’t needsupport, once they adjusted,” he said.

While he is concerned Central State Hospitalemployees might be paid less or lose their jobsas a result of people moving out of institutions,Chandler said the first concern should be aboutthe people who are forced to live there. “Thestate’s responsibility is to the consumer, butoften the first questions are about economics. Weget that conversation backwards,” he said.

Planners are also looking into what servicesare offered throughout the state. “The number

Young Woman Finds a Home A fter living most of her life in private

hospitals and institutions, Sheila Jeffreymoved into a real home with a family inDecatur, Ga. July 13.

“My host family is really sweet. They havea nice house and everything,” Jeffrey explained.

She is excited about moving out of Central State Hospital inMacon, Ga., where she currently resides. “I wanted to leave to have more freedom to do more things. I want to do more activitieslike watching baseball games, going swimming and interacting with people.”

Jeffrey received a waiver through the Children’s FreedomInitiative, according to her advocate, Jenny Holland, with the

Georgia Advocacy Office’s Protection and Advocacy for People withDevelopmental Disabilities division.

“Sheila required services and supports that weren’t available toher when she was a child,” Holland explained. “So DFCS (Department of Family and Children Services) placed her in Laurel Heights, a privatehospital in Atlanta.”

When Jeffrey turned 18, she was movedto Central State Hospital in Macon becauseLaurel Heights only serves children.

Holland met Jeffrey about two and a halfyears ago and has taken the time to get toknow her. “Sheila is an amazing girl. She putsup a tough act for her own protection in the institution, but since I’ve gotten to know her, I’ve seen the softer side of her,” she said.

Spending time with Jeffrey also helped Holland better advocatefor her. When Jeffrey first received word she would be receiving awaiver, her support coordinator initially planned to move her into agroup home or apartment run by Central Care, an organization affiliatedwith the hospital. But Holland knew Jeffrey wanted to move to Atlantabecause she had made friends there through her participation in theGeorgia Voices That Count advocacy training program.

“We asked Sheila her preference – she said she wanted to livewith a roommate who is about the same age or a family because she hasn’t lived with a family in so long. She wanted a real home,”Holland said.

So Holland called Lutheran Services to help find Jeffrey the living situation she desired and helped coordinate those efforts withthe support coordinator in Macon.

Jeffrey had other help, too, from her friends Linda Pogue andBarbaraann Bongiovanni from Georgia Voices That Count, who attendedmeetings with her to make sure her wishes were considered in thedecisions that were being made on her behalf.

Jeffrey plans to work with kids at a daycare center. “I like kids,”she said.

But the first thing she did when she moved on July 13 was eat agood meal. With all the new choices she has now, she knew exactlywhat she wanted that meal to be - pizza.

“I wanted toleave to havemore freedom todo more things.”

Sheila Jeffrey looksforward to her freedom.

continued on page 10

FEATURE

one service provided is personal support servicesfor ambulation, housekeeping, bathing. For anumber of people, that’s all they need to be ableto stay at home,” Hagebak said.

“We also have to provide services within thecost of institutional care. We’re not allowed toprovide services that cost more than they wouldcost in the institution,” she said.

DHR is using “case expediters” to identifyand remove roadblocks that may be preventingindividuals from leaving the institution.

“People in institutions are under constantreview to identify those who are ready to move,supports exist and they want to live in thecommunity. Those will be the first who aretransitioned. We’re constantly reviewing people inthe hospital – should they be somewhere else? Ifso, why aren’t they? Is their paperwork

unfinished? Is there a court issue? Caseexpediters help resolve these issues,” Skinner,who brought the idea from her time working injuvenile corrections, said.

“Sometimes a person needs a certain kind ofresource, and sometimes their case gets set aside.

Expediters make sure that doesn’t happen. Theytalk with providers to determine the closest placeto their community where they can receive thatresource, or would the provider train a person inthat community to provide the resource?” Skinnercontinued.

Chandler feels that all needs can be met inthe community. “When someone says an individualneeds an institution, I don’t let that gounchallenged. We can provide 24-hour, seven-day-a-week support if someone needs it. If they needisolation because of behavioral issues, we can dothat. If they need nursing care for medicalconditions in addition to having developmentaldisabilities, there’s a way to do that in thecommunity. We don’t need institutions,” he said.

Skinner said, “We’re very pleased the granthelps us continue the work we started ondeinstitutionalization. These are going to be veryexciting times for people with developmentaldisabilities and their families. We now haveresources in quantities we have not seen before. Igive the credit to our legislature and the work ofour department and DCH to bring in the grant.” l

24-7“When someone says an individual

needs an institution, I don’t letthat go unchallenged. We can

provide 24-hour, seven-day-a-weeksupport if someone needs it.”

K athy Crowder grew up in the country, spendingtime in the garden and enjoying the feel of rain

on her face. Though her family lived in a very rural area near

Warm Springs, Ga., her parents decided to keepCrowder, who has cerebral palsy, at home, without anysupports available.

Her sister, Rebecca Crowder, said, “They tookKathy all over the state, all over the Southeast tovarious doctors, physicians and psychiatrists, whotold them to put her in an institution. But ourparents are very loving, very forward-minded. Theygot the best advice from a female psychiatrist – Dr.Gillette – who helped them understand there wasn’t athing wrong with Kathy’s brain, and they should treathear like a normal child,” she said.

“So they took her to everything that they could.She went to the Columbus Cerebral Palsy Center, aspecial dentist in Atlanta. Kathy got to go to a lot ofplaces. The whole community knew how Kathy was.She touched many lives,” Rebecca Crowder said.

Then when Kathy Crowder was 16, her motherhad to have a surgery that rendered her unable tophysically take care of her daughter. Soon after, shemoved into East Central Regional Hospital, alsoknown as Gracewood.

“Gracewood was the overall best rounded option.It had a good reputation and was considered theflagship institution,” Rebecca Crowder said.

And Kathy Crowder enjoyed life at Gracewood,competing in the Special Olympics in swimming,participating in the Gracewood Puppeteersperformances around the state and going to chapelservices and on outings.

She also participates as an advisory member ofthe Governor’s Council on Developmental Disabilitiesand in the current class of the Georgia Voices ThatCount advocacy training program.

But over the past fewyears, as more and more of her friends havemoved into thecommunity, andfunding for herfavorite programshas shrunk, KathyCrowder hasdecided she wantsto leave.

“Life has become miserable over there, where it wasn’t before,” Rebecca Crowder said.

“She wants to move as close to home aspossible,” said Dr. Joan Krispyn, Kathy Crowder’sfriend and former Gracewood director of occupationaland physical therapy.

Unfortunately, things in rural Georgia haven’tchanged much in the past 40 years, and a lack ofservices still exists in their area. Plus, the familyhome would have to be retrofitted to accommodateher extraordinary physical needs. “When someone isas severely involved as Kathy, the money really has togo ahead of them for retrofitting. That’s just asimportant for the people taking care of her, as it isfor Kathy,” Rebecca Crowder said.

“Kathy has been identified to come out ofGracewood; it’s just a matter of finding a good placefor her,” according to her sister. “Kathy’s ready to saygoodbye to Gracewood. Her bags are halfway packed.”

But Rebecca Crowder also said that most of thestaff has been very supportive of her sister. “The staffat Gracewood is full of wonderful people like Holley(Hill – a social services provider) and Dr. Joan.”

Though she’ll miss her friends and staff atGracewood, Kathy Crowder has plans for what she’ll dowhen she moves. “She wants to go to church everyweek and wants to have lots of fun,” her sister said.

www.gcdd.org 11

LEAVING INSTITUTIONS

Institution Resident Working To Return Home after 40 Years

“Kathy’s ready to say goodbye to Gracewood.

Her bags are halfway packed.”

Kathy Crowder, center,enjoys time in thegarden with her fatherand sister. Their family’sfarm house would needextensive renovationsbefore Crowder couldmove back.


After passionate arguments for and against, Georgia’slegislature passed the Special

Needs Scholarship bill during the 2007 session, and Gov. Sonny Perduesigned it into law in May.

The new scholarship allows students withdisabilities to choose to move to a private

school or different public school. Thestate funding that would have beenused at the student’s local public

school would then shift to thenew school.“There was a lot of

support from parents forthe bill,” said Governor’s

Council on DevelopmentalDisabilities Deputy Director

Patricia Nobbie, PhD. “I didn’t expect it to be so

overwhelming. It’s an indication ofthe challenges parents face in the

public school system.”Georgia Sen. Eric Johnson (R-Savannah)

sponsored the bill. “I continue to hear frustrations from

parents of childrenwith disabilities thatthey were not

getting the servicesthey wanted out of the

public school system,” he said.The law, which will go into effect

in the upcoming school year has a number ofeligibility requirements:

• Parents currently reside in Georgia and have been Georgia residents for at least one calendar year

• The student has one or more of these

disabilities:

• Autism

• Deaf/blind

• Deaf/hard of hearing

• Emotional and behavioral disorder

• Intellectual disability

• Orthopedic impairment

• Other health impairment

• Specific learning disability

• Speech-language impairment

• Traumatic brain injury

• Visual impairment

• The student spent the prior school year at aGeorgia public school, Atlanta Area School forthe Deaf, the Georgia Academy for the Blind, OR the Georgia School for the Deaf and was in attendance on both the October and MarchFTE counts

• The student has an active IndividualizedEducation Program (IEP) written by the schoolin accordance with federal and state laws andregulations

• The parent obtains acceptance for admission ofthe student to a participating private school

• The parent submits the scholarship applicationto the Georgia Department of Education by theannually established deadline

The amount of each scholarship will vary, based on the needed services identified in thestudent’s IEP. The state money that would have gone to fulfilling those needs would be redirectedinto the scholarship. Federal and local funding forschools would remain unaffected.

GCDD remained neutral on the law, but it didissue a statement of concern.

“There are two primary concerns of the effect ofthis bill,” Nobbie said. “It may unintentionally foster

Georgia PassesSPECIAL NEEDS

Scholarships


“I didn’t expect it to be so overwhelming. It’s an indication of

the challenges parentsface in the public school system.”

continued on page 14

Georgia PassesSPECIAL NEEDS

Scholarships

www.gcdd.org 13

W hile Holli Cash, a CobbCounty School Board

member and mother of Chandler,who has Down syndrome, agreesparents should have choicesregarding their children’seducation, she feels the newSpecial Needs Scholarships willnot be fair.

“Unlike Florida (where asimilar scholarship program is inplace), where private andparochial schools allow mostchildren to attend, most or all ofAtlanta’s private schools have

entrance testing requirements.They require a certain level oflearning that would not include achild with Down syndrome,” sheexplained.

Cash feels Georgia’s privateschool testing requirements wouldexclude many children withdevelopmental disabilities fromattending the schools becausethey would be unable tosuccessfully pass their tests.

“Where are the schools that wouldtake Chandler?” she asked. “Itried three private schools, allChristian schools, and none ofthem would take her.”

And if the children could getinto a private school, Cash feelsthere isn’t a need for the state tohelp pay for it. “In a privateschool setting, there is financialaid based on need. Anybody couldhave financial aid if their childwere to get in,” she said.

In addition, parents who usethe scholarship forfeit their right

to federal funding fortheir child, as well astheir child’s right tohave anIndividualized

Education Program (IEP) withgoals and regular updates.

“There’s no IEP in privateschool. What if their needschange and they need more orless funding?” she pointed out.

Another problem Cash has isthat students who are currentlyenrolled in private school wouldnot be eligible for the scholarshipunless they went back to publicschool for one year to meet the

requirements. “Thesechildren have thehardest timeadapting to newsettings insome cases. Plusit disrupts the publicschool to have to write anIEP for all the childrencoming back to qualify for a scholarship.”

The quality of instructionalso concerns Cash, as privateschools are not held accountableto the same standards as publicschools. “Parents want inclusion,and this will put kids back in self-contained classrooms. I’m worriedabout schools popping up and notmeeting the needs of the child,”she revealed.

“If the state would haveproperly funded education andfunded my child all along, wewouldn’t need such a drastic bill to deal with the issue andmake better use of those dollars.This bill does nothing to provideoptions for my child, nothing.” l

Fairness an Issue with Mother, School Board Member

“Parents want inclusion, and this will put kids back inself-contained classrooms.”

Chandler Cash enjoys participating inthe same activities as other children.

Chandler Cash enjoys participating inthe same activities as other children.

resegregation of children in special schools. Whenthese kids graduate, they won’t be connected totheir wider community like public school kids.

“The other concern is whether it is a truechoice for all children with special needs. Currentschools won’t accept students with more severedisabilities. All parents can’t afford to pay thedifference between the cost of tuition and theamount of the scholarship, or pay to transport themto private school. It’s not an option for theseparents. This bill is using public dollars that are onlybenefiting some children,” she explained.

But the key to the bill, according to Johnson, is parental choice. “Disability advocates have beenfighting so long and hard for mainstreaming, andthey’re concerned this bill will create special schools

or segregation again. Parents may want their deafchild to be with other deaf children for a period oftime. That is the parents’ choice. This bill is notabout segregation, just the unique needs of specialneeds children,” he explained.

Peggy West, president of the Georgia Council of Administrators of Special Education (G-CASE),supports parental choice, but has some problemswith the new law.

“We want parents to have choice, but we alsowant children’s rights to be protected,” she said.

Students with disabilities’ rights are guaranteedunder the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA), which outlines expected outcomes andprocedures, but only public schools are obligatedfollow IDEA.

West pointed out that public schools are heldaccountable for creating, maintaining, updating andmeeting the goals laid out in students’ IEPs, butprivate schools are not required to follow or createIEPs for students.

For example, she said, “Some schools for autismare popping up. Not every school for kids withautism is based on research-based methods. Somelet the children rock all day or watch a blinkinglight. What will happen to these children who aregoing to schools that don’t use the research-basedmethodology?

“Another concern is that these students won’tget the specialized instruction they need, return topublic schools and be behind,” she said.

The fairness of the law for families who can’tafford to make up the difference in tuition alsoworries the members of G-CASE. “Scholarships aren’tgoing to pay all tuition to private school. Those who can afford the extra money and transportationare upper middle class. It’s a matter of equity. Itleaves the poorest in the schools that struggle,” she explained.

While both sides have passionately supported oropposed the bill, Johnson doesn’t think it will makea very big impact on public schools.

“In Florida (where a similar program is inplace), less than five percent of special educationkids use the voucher. That would be about 15,000Georgia students,” he said.

“Public schools basically do a good job, and the scholarship doesn’t include transportation ormay not cover the full amount of tuition. For avariety of reasons, we won’t see a huge transfer ofchildren from public school to private,” he said. l


SPECIAL NEEDS SCHOLARSHIP

PROGRAM OPTIONS

Eligible students can choose from the following options:

Attendance at another public school within their

home district that has space and provides the services

identified in the student’s individualized education program

Attendance at an eligible public school in an adjacent

district that has space and provides the services identified

in the student’s individualized education program

Attendance at a participating private school

in Georgia

Attendance at one of Georgia’s three state schools for

students who are deaf, hard of hearing, blind or visually impaired

PLEASE VISIT

public.doe.k12.ga.us/sb10.aspx to view a list of participating

and eligible private schools.

SCHOLARSHIPS

www.gcdd.org 15

BcaR achael Barron’s son Wilson

has already been attendingprivate school, and though hewouldn’t be eligible for the newSpecial Needs Scholarship, hismother is an ardent supporter.

“The scholarship providesparents educational choiceswithout having to sue the schoolsystem to get them,” sheexplained.

“My son was so mistreated inthe public school system that hecouldn’t function with typicalchildren,” she said. “He’s beentreated better in a private setting.Now he wants to interact withtypical children.”

Barron decided to move herson into private school afterfighting his public school for thesupports outlined in hisIndividualized Education Program(IEP) that he wasn’t receiving,such as speech therapy,occupational therapy and visualsupport therapy.

“The public schoolrecommended a significant andprofound classroom, and he hadto be bused several miles awayfrom our home district,” sheexplained.

“In private school, the firstthing they told me was that myson had taught himself to readover 80 words. The public schoolsaid he wouldn’t be able to learnto read.”

Barron enrolled her son in a

Christian-based school thatfocuses specifically on childrenwith mild to severe developmentaldisabilities, but she isn’tconcerned that he is beingsegregated from typical children.

“It’s misleading to assume inpublic school, they’re included.Most oftentimes in public schools,the children are self-contained.Kids with disabilities haveopportunities to be included in

church, girl scouts and boyscouts, as well,” she said.

After being in a privateschool that works withdevelopmental disabilities, Barronfeels her son has gained the selfconfidence he needs to interactwith other children, and she isplanning to put him back inpublic school.

But now she feels if thepublic school doesn’t meet hisneeds, she has a choice.

“This law is an excellent firststep to holding school systemsaccountable without having to sue them,” she said. “It affordschildren the opportunity to go toa special school to address a

particular weakness, or transfer toanother school if their needschange.”

And, she said, it is a goodlaw for the state. “In the longrun, this bill will save money forthe state. If children are servedwell now, they will need fewerservices later.” l

Mother Applauds New Choices

“In private school, the first thing they told me was that my son had taught himself to read

over 80 words.”

Wilson Barron, right, plays with hisbrother Wyatt.


The ADA Has Not Met Our ExpectationsBy Nancy Duncan, Executive Director, Disability Resource Group

Nancy Duncan is theDirector of DisabilityResource Group and hasbeen its chief executive since its inception in 1994.She has worked for 30 yearsin the disability field. Herwork has included servicedelivery and administrationin substance abuse, seniorswith disabilities, people withvision loss and young adultswith severe disabilities. She has conducted nationalworkshops in the field of disabilities rights law and was a lead trainer forthree years with ProjectImplement. Duncan has been blind since her teensand is the mother of threechildren, one of whom hasmultiple disabilities.

Duncan answers astatewide hotline and isaware of the serious issuesfaced by Georgians withdisabilities. DRG has as itsmajor objective the bringingabout of full participation by, and inclusion of, allpeople with disabilities in all aspects of life through-out Georgia.

1

2

3

I believe that the Americans with Disabilities Act isa powerful, wonderful statement on the civil rightsof 58 million Americans with a tremendous variety

of disabilities. When it became law in 1990, many ofus believed that discrimination would certainlyseriously diminish.

Seventeen years later, we know that theunemployment rate for people with disabilities has notchanged. Many children with disabilities are still insegregated education programs. Equally effectivecommunication is non-existent in most governmentservices, healthcare facilities, law offices, etc.Thousands of people who have mobility impairments insmall towns cannot get into restaurants, banks,pharmacies, etc. We ask ourselves in various disabilityorganizations, “What went wrong?” I believe that thefault is not in the ADA itself but in the response of thenation to it. I have identified three major causes forour failure to realize our dream of full citizenship.

1. Lack of education about the ADA and thenature of civil rights law. Each month theDisability Resource Group receives about 150 calls fromall parts of the state and all types of people. Manytimes, callers know nothing about ADA even thoughthey may have lived with a disability for years. Theyexperienced overt discrimination on the job and quitout of frustration. They did not know their rights, andnow it is too late to take action. Thousands of peopledo not even define themselves as a person with adisability and so they do not believe the law applies tothem. Saddest of all, are the disability advocates whoknow so little about ADA they cannot help theclients/consumers they assist each day.

We speak to high school students with disabilitieswho have never heard of ADA. The school systems arerequired to give parents information about theIndividuals with Disabilities Education Act, but they donot give out any information about ADA. In 2006, welost 75% of federal funding that was designated fortraining and technical assistance on the ADA. We knowat DRG that we have barely scratched the surface interms of educating Georgia about the civil rights ofover 1.5 million citizens.

2. Legal services. Last summer a man came to DRGwith a blatant job discrimination situation. He hadexcellent documentation and an excellent work history.He could not find an attorney in Atlanta who wouldtake his ADA case. Most attorneys have little educationon ADA. Plus, 80 percent of ADA employment courtcases are won by employers. Most people withdisabilities do not have the money to pay an attorneyup front so the attorney must take only those casesthat look very likely to win. Additionally, most ADAattorneys in Georgia are in small firms that can beswamped by the well-funded legal departments of thelarge employers. The few non-profit legal offices arestretched so thin they can only take a very smallnumber of cases. Unfortunately, justice can beexpensive.

3. Fear and lack of solidarity among peoplewith disabilities. Often, when we ask for what isrightfully ours, we ask from a position of weaknessrather than strength. So when services oraccommodations are provided, they come from aposition of charity not entitlement. Too many peoplewith disabilities are not certain that we are equal orentitled to all of the benefits due others. Even withinour own families we may not ask for what we need forfear of being a burden. We are isolated from oneanother and feel so marginalized that we do not joingroups of others with our same disability much lessother disabilities. We must believe that “we aresomebody” before we can believe that we have rights.We must find ways to lift up the lonely anddisenfranchised among us before we can speak as oneproud voice.

The Civil Rights Act changed the hearts of manyAmericans and opened doors for minorities. Moreimportantly, over time, it has changed the self-imageof the people it protects. Among people withdisabilities, this changing of our own sense of worth isour most important mission if the ADA is to trulychange our opportunities. l

www.gcdd.org 17

Two advocates share their views

on the Americans with Disabilities Act

ADA Offers Hope for Those in InstitutionsBy Susan Walker Goico, Atlanta Legal Aid

L iving in the community, we often take forgranted the simple freedoms we all enjoy. We getto decide when to wake up in the morning, what

to eat for breakfast, lunch and dinner. We get to choosewhere we want to live and with whom we want tospend our free time. We can go to the corner coffeeshop or catch a movie at the multiplex. Simplefreedoms, yes, but for so many of our fellow Georgianswho live in institutions – nursing homes, mentalhospitals and Intermediate Care Facilities-MentalRetardation (ICF-MRs) – these freedoms may seem likeelusive dreams. Unfortunately, many people do notknow that living in the community is their civil right.

Title II of the Americans with Disabilities Actprohibits discrimination against people with disabilitiesand includes segregation as a form of discrimination. Toremedy this, the ADA’s “integration mandate” statesthat “[a] public entity shall administer services,programs and activities in the most integrated settingappropriate to the needs of qualified individuals withdisabilities.” 28 C.FR. § 35.130(d).

The ADA’s integration mandate was at issue in the1999 United States Supreme Court case Olmstead v. L.C.527 U.S. 581 (1999). Olmstead was brought by twobrave Atlanta women, Lois Curtis and Elaine Wilson,who were determined to live their lives in thecommunity instead of in the confines of a mentalinstitution. In finding for the two women, the courtheld that states must provide disability services in thecommunity rather than in an institution if three criteriaare met: (1) the state’s treatment professionalsdetermine that the person can be served in thecommunity; (2) the person does not oppose living inthe community; and (3) the placement can bereasonably accommodated by the state. The court added that a state can show that it is complying withthe integration mandate if it has a “comprehensive,effectively working plan” for moving people out ofinstitutions and into the community, as well as a“waiting list that move[s] at a reasonable pace.” 527 U.S. at 605-06.

While the decision has many ambiguities, Olmsteadclearly offers hope and is considered by many to be aroadmap to freedom. What does it mean for Georgiansliving in institutions or at risk of institutionalization?In my view, the state has an affirmative duty tomeaningfully inform people of the available community-based options and to responsibly transition people outof institutions, over time, with the appropriate services.For self-advocates and their families who are navigatingthe system alone, the principles of Olmstead shouldhelp guide their quest for services. When you apply forstate-funded community-based disability services, likethose offered under a Medicaid waiver or the MedicaidRehab Option, apply in writing and cite to Olmstead inthe letter. Ask where you are on the waiting list forservices. Ask how long you will be on the waiting list.When you get an answer, ask yourself, is the listmoving at a “reasonable pace?” Review the state’sOlmstead plan on Georgia’s Department of HumanResources Web site. Is this a “comprehensive,

effectively working plan” to move the people who wantto live in the community out of institutions with thesupports they need? If the answers are not satisfactoryto you, get involved in this civil rights movement. Weneed your help.

Even though it has been a long eight years since Olmstead, it is critical that the advocacycommunity remain vigilant in demanding that the state of Georgia fully implement this vitally importantdecision. After all, civil rights do not fade with thepassage of time, and freedoms, no matter how simple,cannot be reserved for those of us who happen not to have a disability. l

Susan Walker Goico is a part-time attorney withAtlanta Legal Aid Society’sMental Health and DisabilityRights Project, where shefocuses on Olmstead issues.

“. . . the State has an affirmative duty to meaningfullyinform people of the available community-based optionsand to responsibly transition people out of institutions,over time, with the appropriate services.”

Two advocates share their views

on the Americans with Disabilities Act

Adam Funck’sfriend, Ben,lives in a

nursing home, wherehe doesn’t get tochoose what he eats or when hewakes up in the morning. That’swhy Funck made the journey fromEatonton, Ga., to Atlanta toparticipate in the Long Road HomeMarch June 22.

“I march in protest for people that live innursing homes,” he said.

Self-advocates from all over the state, fromFitzgerald to Athens joined together to mark theeighth anniversary of the Supreme Court’s Olmsteaddecision that said people with disabilities had theright to receive services and supports in the leastrestrictive environment. Advocates also welcomedrepresentatives from the U.S. Social Forum, that metin Atlanta in June to provide an open platform todiscuss alternatives to economic plans created by

multinational corporations and governments at the World Economic Forum.

Lois Curtis, one of the plaintiffs in the landmarkcase, was at the march to encourage the otheradvocates. “Stand up for our rights. Free our brothersand sisters,” she said.

While past marches have ended withconfrontations at institutions and the state capitol,

this march was more about celebratingseveral key successes achieved this yearthrough active advocacy: Georgia receivingMoney Follows the Person (MFP) fundingfrom the federal government; theimplementation of a Medicaid buy-inprogram, and the passing of an advancedirective bill.

Kate Gainer, advocacy director forthe Governor’s Council on DevelopmentalDisabilities, said, “We’ve done greatwork for the past four years. We steppedup to the plate and demanded ourrights. This year it seems like theyfinally listened.”

And though she emphasized duringthe rally at the state capitol that the march was morecelebratory than confrontational this year, she alsoencouraged the advocates to make a lot of noise. “A little bit louder, so the governor can hear you in Europe,” she said.

GCDD Executive Director Eric Jacobson applaudedthe advocates for helping MFP become a reality inthe state. “Kate Gainer, Mark Johnson, Lois Curtisand Sam Mitchell have inspired us to get in the wayand make good and necessary trouble,” he said.

But while he celebrated the new MFP grant in the state, he cautioned, “Things in the state are good, but the devil is in the details. Things don’t always happen the way they should. Our job is to make sure they do. We need to hold the



“Free our brothers. Free our sisters.

FREE OUR PEOPLE NOW!”

Advocates Celebrate Milestones AT LONG ROAD HOME

Advocates Celebrate Milestones AT LONG ROAD HOME

Adam Funck, left, camefrom Eatonton to marchfor his friend, Ben.

Advocates (from top left)Tamberia Banks, LoisCurtis, Jessica Long,Bernard Baker, MargoWaters and Cheri Mitchellwant people withdisabilities to live intheir own communities.

www.gcdd.org 19

state accountable.”Mark Johnson, advocacy director for the

Shepherd Center recounted the years since Olmsteadwas passed, reminding advocates it’s been eightyears and it still isn’t fully implemented.

He also remembered an ugly confrontation at anursing home, “They’re committed to their jobs, butnot committed to us living in the community,” hesaid, leading the crowd in a chant, “Free ourbrothers. Free our sisters. Free our people now!”Self-advocate Samuel Mitchell lived in a nursinghome for two years before he began receivingservices in the community of his choice and wasoptimistic about the MFP funding. “It’s not a magicformula. It’s not a silver bullet, but it’s a tool we canuse to help people locked away in nursing homes andinstitutions.

“People don’t want to be locked away from ourfamilies, places we know and people we love. Peoplelive better, healthier and longer lives when they’re intheir community,” he said.

Like Jacobson, he encouraged the advocates tobe vigilant about implementation. “We have to keepwatch. It’s important MFP is implemented the waywe want and that it helps people who need it themost. Find out what (the state) is doing, and letthem know you’re watching and that they’ll get bit if they don’t do it right.”

In addition to the MFP grant, the crowdcelebrated the passage of House Bill 24, whichsimplifies the living will and health care agencyprocess, giving people greater control over theirrights to insist on medical treatment, decline it orask that medical treatment be withdrawn. The billcombines the concept of the living will and healthcare agency into one, easily understandabledocument.

The act will allow people to appoint someonewho loves and cares about them to act on theirbehalf, if they are unable to do so, instead ofleaving critical health care decisions to the state.“What keeps you safe is people who care about you making decisions,” said Josh Norris of theGeorgia Advocacy Office. “Sometimes bad decisions

are made out of convenience. No decisions about uswithout us!”

Many people with disabilities cannot go to work because if they make over a certain amount of money, they will lose their health coverage. But a new Medicaid buy-in program allows people withdisabilities, who often have extraordinary medicalneeds not covered by traditional insurance, to keeptheir Medicaid benefits bybuying into the system,similar to a traditionalinsurance plan.Shelley Simmons, a self-advocate, had access to a Medicaid Buy In programin California, but wassurprised it didn’t existwhen she moved to Georgia.

“Today is a great dayfor Georgia. We’ve joined 34other states in offeringMedicaid Buy In. The Buy Inencourages work. I utilized it in California, and itdoes work,” she said.

One of the Long Road Home organizers, CheriMitchell, said the yearly event was important. “Itdraws attention to the need for services for peoplewith disabilities so they can live in the community.We’re people, too; we have the same rights as others,and we’re capable of speaking for ourselves.”

March attendees Mark Dyer and Jeremy Sloanagreed. Sloan was forced to live in an institution for 10 years, until Dyer, who works for DisabilityConnections in Macon, noticed him when he wasvisiting another resident. “I thought to myself, helooks mighty young,” Dyer said. “A year later, just by me talking to him, he was a free man.”

While Sloan’s story has a happy ending, othersin Georgia are still waiting to move into communitiesof their own choice, and the key message of theadvocates reflected their concern for theseGeorgians, “Get us out. Keep us out. Don’t put usin,” they chanted. l

“”

Get us out.Keep us out.

Don’t put us in!

“A year later,

just by meTALKING to him, he was a

free man.”

Jeremy Sloan, left, lived in a nursing homefor 10 years before Mark

Dyer, right helped himmove into his own home.

Filmmaker CapturesMarchers’ Stories

Samuel Mitchell was forcedinto a nursing home by thestate after suffering a stroke.He was there for two long yearsbefore his family was able tohelp him move home.

Mitchell was just one ofabout 15 advocates who sharedtheir stories with filmmakerZen Garcia at the centralbranch of the Atlanta PublicLibrary after the Long RoadHome March June 22.

Garcia, who uses awheelchair, is putting together“Voices of the Long RoadHome,” a video project that will be part of theGeorgia Disability Civil Rights Exhibition, slatedto open next year. The project was funded with agrant from the Governor’s Council onDevelopmental Disabilities.

Founder of the non-profitEndeavorFreedom.tv, Garcia plans to show the

video on You Tube, atadvocacy meetings andwherever people will watchit. He eventually hopes tocreate a televisionnetwork featuringprogramming for peoplewith disabilities producedby people withdisabilities.

He started theorganization after lastyear’s Long Road HomeMarch, when notraditional mediaattended the group’spost-march press

conference, and he knewthe disability community’s stories had to be told.

He was shocked by some of the stories herecorded. “I interviewed one woman, Mrs.Scoggins, who was put in an institution in the‘60s. One nurse burned her with boiling water,”he said. “Another nurse terrorized residents with

razor blades, and Mrs.Scoggins tried to report her,but no one listened.”

Scoggins finally spoke with the head of theinstitution who witnessed the behavior first handand fired the nurse. After six years, Scoggins wasreleased when she was 19.

Cheri Mitchell, who served as one of theinterviewers for the project, said telling the stories was important. “A nursinghome is not a home. It’s like being locked away.”

Mitchell, who also uses a wheelchair,participated in the project to make an impact.“All organizations are involved. It’s all peoplewith disabilities coming together to make astatement as a community.”

Garcia also interviewed first-time participantsto get their opinion of the march.

Barbaraann Bongiovanni, a member of theOrganizing Institute, which is supported by GCDD,brought some children to the march. She hasdeveloped a two-week camp for children calledYOUTH – Youth and Others Uniting TogetherHand-in-Hand that educates children with andwithout disabilities, ages 10 – 22, aboutdisability issues such as self-determination andself-advocacy.

The group was interviewed by Garcia. “TheLong Road Home March really expanded theirhorizons. They said they’d never look at theirpeers with in the same way again. They didn’trealize people with disabilities could have suchsuccessful lives,” he said. l


LONG ROAD HOME

“It’s all people with

disabilities coming together

to make a statement as

a community.”

Zen Garcia, above right, interviewsmembers of YOUTH. BarbaraanBongiovanni left, seated, brought the group to the march.

www.gcdd.org 21

Summer Fun;ACTIVITIES FOR Everyone!

Summer has arrived, and everyone is thinking aboutparticipating in fun activities.

While finding recreational opportunitiescan be a little challenging for childrenand adults with disabilities, manyorganizations offer people withdisabilities the chance to have a good time and participate.

Integrated Dance CelebratedAs one of only a handful of integrated

dance companies in the United States, Full RadiusDance celebrates the different ways in which eachindividual moves. This organization offers positivemotion classes, a form of modern dance, to every-one with or without a disability, children or adults,and performs at various metro Atlanta venues.

“Studies show that art, and particularly dance,is beneficial in developing both motor andcognitive skills that carry through into all aspectsof daily living and learning. This is true forindividuals with disabilities as well. Still, manypeople perceive that for these individuals, danceis not an art form that they can enjoy,” saidDouglas Scott, co-founder and executive directorof Full Radius Dance. “Full Radius Dance, throughits Positive Motion dance program,

dismisses this notion and brings theartistry of dance to everyone. I do notmove the ‘right way’ just because I donot have a disability. There is no‘right way’ to move.”

One dancer, Laurel Lawson,started off as a student at FullRadius but when she heard theywere having auditions for communityperformances, she jumped at thechance of doing something new anddifferent.

“Just like every other little girl, I had alwaysbeen interested in ballet when I was young. In1985 though, being in a chair didn’t make that anoption,” explains Lawson. “However, I’ve alwaysbeen interested in different ways of moving. I’vebeen involved in music, theatre and athleticssince the age of five.”

The mission of Full Radius Dance is topromote, advance and enhance the modern dance

form for persons with disabilities, for danceartists and the general community. Scott,

principal dancer at the studio,remembers the day he started to

“Just like every other little girl, I had always been interested in ballet when I was young.”

By Nicole Galletta

Laurel Lawson (center) discovers new ways to move with modern dance.

Photos provided by Ann Lang.


explore the idea of integrated dance, “I attendeda workshop in the fall of 1992 and met MaryVerdi-Fletcher, born with spina bifida butdetermined to become a professional dancer, shebecame the president/founding artistic directorand principal dancer of Dancing Wheels inCleveland, Ohio. She really challenged my thinkingabout different forms of dance and ultimatelyinspired me to open up Full Radius.”

In addition to dance classes, Full RadiusDance also offers a variety of workshops and

lecture demonstrations. For more information,visit www.fullradiusdance.org.

Swimming Toward SuccessFor individuals who love the water, Swim

Atlanta offers year-round indoor swimlessons at pools located in Johns Creek,

Roswell, Lawrenceville and coming soon,Hamilton Mill. Swim Atlanta serves agessix months to adults, offering inclusivelessons to groups up to six people.Private lessons are also offered; however,Swim Atlanta promotes inclusive classes.The length of swim lessons vary butgenerally are from two weeks to sixweeks depending on the age and levelof the swimmer. For more information

on lessons and a referral to the closestpool visit www.saswimschool.com.

Children Gain Independencethrough Karate

Sidekicks Karate is an adaptive karateprogram for children five to nine years old with cognitive and physical disabilities. Thisprogram is led by physical and occupationaltherapists who work closely with children, with the goal of mainstreaming them intointegrated karate classes.

Sue Soha, a physical therapist and motherherself, started the program three years agowith occupational therapist Belle Wilmer, whom she met through Children’s Healthcare

of Atlanta. “Each class is adaptive for each child.

Classes are broken up into 15 minutes sessionsfor children with cognitive disabilities, and

for children who need help physically weare there to facilitate their

movements,” explained Soha.

“The adaptive sessions prepare the kids to bemore independent when they enter the integratedclasses.”

The class follows the Japanese karate style ofWadu Ru. Instruction is given on kicks andpunches with therapeutic activities incorporatedto improve the child’s balance, coordination anddirection-following skills.

In addition to strengthening the mind andbody, there are many benefits to martial artstraining. Training teaches socialization skills, andbuilds confidence and self-esteem as well as self-discipline, respect, concentration and courtesy.The Sidekicks program not only allows the child todevelop at his or her own pace but instills mentaland physical discipline necessary for a healthyadult life.

The Sidekicks program is open to the publicand offers two classes on Tuesdays at DunwoodyUnited Methodist Church’s aerobics room. Each aneight-week session, the sensory integration karateclass is at 4:45 to 5:30 pm and the intermediatelevel class is at 5:30 to 6:15 pm. To enroll ineither, parents must first attend an openhouse/evaluation session September 4, 2007.Some insurance providers may cover the partial or full cost of the program. For more informationcall Carrie Natoli at 404-329-9730 or visit theSidekicks’ website at www.metoosports.com to see videos of the classes.

Horseback Riding Improves Confidence

Deep into the woods of Blackshear, Ga. is roughly three acres offering serenity andproviding strength and self-confidence to childrenwith mental and physical disabilities. Saddle-Up, atherapeutic riding center, provides children agesthree to 21 with 10-week sessions of therapeutic,equestrian activities.

Here, children meet once a week for 45minutes to an hour to do a variety of exerciseswhile on horseback to improve coordination andcognitive skills, eventually building up so studentsmay ride on their own.

“We’ve seen some tremendous changes in some

“The adaptive sessions prepare thekids to be more independent whenthey enter the integrated classes.”

FEATURE

With a little exploring,recreational activitiescan be found foreveryone.

www.gcdd.org 23

RECREATIONAL OPPORTUNITIES

of the students,” says Boo Clarke, executivedirector of Saddle-Up. “One student, whose muscleswere so weak, had to lean back against the saddlewhen he rode, now he is sitting up straight.”

Saddle-Up, a local branch of the NorthAmerican Riding for the Handicapped Association,has one full time NARHA certified instructor atevery session. As the Saddle-Up program grows, sowill the amount of certified instructors. A newprogram, started just over a year ago with sevenstudents, is growing with 13 students at the lastsession and more expected to attend the Julysession. Clarke, excited about the future ofSaddle-Up stated, “We may eventually extend ourservices to adults and at-risk children, but for nowwe are concentrating on the students we have.”

Another equestrian center offering therapeuticservices is Chastain Horse Park. This one, in theheart of bustling Atlanta, is dedicated to servingchildren and adults of all ages with cognitive,physical or emotional disabilities; however, riderswithout disabilities and of all ages are welcomedto experience the riding programs as well.

“At Chastain, everyone rides in the samearenas,” said Executive Director Mandy Branton,RN. “Whether a rider is riding for the sport ortherapeutically, they understand the prevailingfeeling horseback riding can provide and respectthe presence of the horse.”

For the therapeutic lessons, each lesson isindividualized – from social skills to motor skills –for that rider’s specific needs. Chastain Horse Parkand all of its instructors are either certified ormembers of the NARHA.

“Our organization serves an average of 150riders per year with special needs,” according toBranton. “One of our biggest success stories is a rider, Peter Nagel, who’s been with us for oversix years.”

Diagnosed with cerebral palsy, Nagel has had nine surgeries on his legs and needed threeassistants when he first started his therapeuticlessons. Now at age 10, he has progressed sosignificantly that he competes at horse shows

on his own horse with studentswithout disabilities.

According to Nagel’s mom, AprilNagel, “Riding has been the greatequalizer for Peter – on a horse he can gofast, and he can feel that sensation,something he can’t on his own legs.”

Paula Drost, another rider at Chastain HorsePark, had her reservations about horseback ridingas a therapy, “Riding horses was not at the top ofmy ‘Can Do’ list”.

Before being diagnosed with multiple sclerosisin 2002, Drost was an avid walker, however all ofthis changed when MS caused profound weaknessin her left side.

“From the moment I transferred from themounting ramp onto the back of the horse, I knewthis was a life changing experience – strength,balance, flexibility, confidence – all soared thefirst time I went on a trail ride,” exclaimed Drost.“Despite life’s challenges, I truly feel there are noboundaries to what I can do.”

In addition to therapeutic and regular ridinglessons, Chastain Horse Park providesopportunities for children from disadvantagedcircumstances to develop self-awareness, self-confidence and self-discipline through riding andinteraction with the horses.

Each individual instructor has his or her ownlesson schedule, fee structure, and billing policy.Lessons are available for beginner throughadvanced students, started as young as age three.Therapeutic riding lessons are sometimes coveredby insurance. A limited number of full or partialscholarships are available. For more informationon either of these programs, visitwww.chastainhorsepark.org andwww.saddleupriding.org l

“Riding has been the greatequalizer for Peter – on a horsehe can go fast, and he can feelthat sensation, something he

can’t on his own legs.”

Peter Nagel enjoys astroll on his horse.

Photo by John Spink.


I n our last column, I described my frustration athow it difficult it was to interrupt Mia’s diet,sleep and weight cycle. I’ve spent a considerable

amount of time thinking about the problem anddescribing it to her primary care physician, her jobcoach, an eating disorders clinic team and a diseasemanagement network nurse, not to mention hergrandparents, aunts, uncles, siblings and my husband.Here’s the problem:

• She stays up into the wee hours and has terriblesleep apnea. I often find her cross-legged in bed,folded over herself, which I imagine helps keepher breathing passages relaxed and open. Other-wise, she is sucking air and snoring, wakingherself up probably a zillion times. Apnea affectsenergy level during the day, keeping people in aconstant state of sleepiness. Therefore she nodsoff whenever she sits still for any length of time.Another effect is a reduction in her stamina andenergy level so she reduces her physical activity,compounding the weight problem.

• She loves carbs, not sweets, but bread, crackers,chips. She hoards bread under her bed. We haveto hide bread, and we forget to tell other familymembers where we hid it. When we come acrossit, in the china cabinet, or on the dining roomchairs under the tablecloth, it is moldy or staleas a rock. This would be funny, except otherfamily members can eat bread and wish theycould eat it while it was still fresh.

• She doesn’t eat enough protein, which would fill her up and keep her satisfied longer, and itwould also burn off some of the carbs, but she’stactile defensive to hard-to-chew and crunchythings, so her diet is limited, and she’s stubborn

about what she willor will not eat. Sheeats too muchprepared food, and no fruits or vegetables.

Mia was not overweight as a child. I began tolose control of her weight when she started publicschool at 12. The cafeteria ladies loved her andoffered her extra slices of pizza and breadsticks. She discovered the vending machines and bought herown juices. We extracted promises from the cafeterialadies that they would not load her up with bread,and sent her with vouchers for food items that shechose with our guidance from the school menu. Itwas hard to keep up, and her weight continued tocreep up. When Mia lost her job, she became evenmore sedentary, and her weight got scary. She is atrisk for hip and knee problems, and even heart issues.Despite my seeking help, no one has been able togive me a plan, or offered to support me in a planthat I am willing to attempt. Our family hasmeetings, and starts out the week with resolve; limitcarbs, plan and prepackage meals, disconnect her TVevery night, make her walk the dog, etc. There is noend to the plans we have attempted and given up on.

There is a supreme irony to the situation: thesame confidence and sense of self that enables Mia to view herself as just a person and not a person with a disability also keeps her from seeing herself as an obese person. Mia doesn’t see her weight as aproblem (if you say the word “fat” she says, “Don’tsay the “F” word!” a reprimand that raises eyes inpublic!); therefore, she won’t cooperate in anysolution to the weight problem.

Any interruption in the cycle may help. We have a sleep study planned next month for the apnea. But what I’m thinking will be necessary is aHelen Keller/Annie Sullivan-like intervention, wherewe go into the woods, I control all the food, thesleep schedule, the TV and provide forced exercise.Conduct an individual boot camp for a month. Thenmaybe when we get home, we could keep up theroutine. But I’d need a month off, which isimpossible. Suggestions, anyone? l

MIA’S SPACE

Mia’s Weight Control Becomes a ChallengeBy Patricia Nobbie, Ph.D., Mia’s Mom

“ ”. . . the same confidence and sense

of self that enables Mia to view herself asjust a person and not a person with a

disability also keeps her from seeing herselfas an obese person.

T he Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) wasenacted with great anticipation on July26,1990. The ADA, with its ideals of equalopportunity, full participation, independentliving and economic self-sufficiency, is the

cornerstone of disability civil rights law and policy in theUnited States.

It has been nearly 17 years since the ADA waspassed into law – is it making a difference in the lives ofpeople with disabilities in America? The answer to thisquestion, in large part, depends on one’s expectations.Laws alone cannot guarantee equal rights andopportunity. Social change often comes very slowly, andwhile disability rights law is integral to advancement ofthese goals, it does not encompass the total solution.

There are important successes to celebrate. Since itsenactment, the ADA has begun to make a difference - ithas brought the principle of disability civil rights into themainstream of public policy. The law, coupled with thedisability rights movement that made it possible, hasstarted to reshape the way Americans perceive disability.

The ADA has clearly influenced the way we designand build in our nation – and has created increasedawareness and understanding of the ways in which thephysical and social environment can pose unnecessarybarriers to participation for people with disabilities.

And the ADA has made a positive impact in otherways. There is a saying that “necessity is the mother ofall invention.” The ADA challenges and stimulatesthought and creativity about the ways to remove socialbarriers.

Yet, there is still much more to do. While the ADAhas become a symbol of the promise of human and civilrights, much of that promise remains unfulfilled. In manyother areas, progress has been far too slow. Therecontinues to be a lack of understanding, confusion,

resistance and opposition to the ADA. Many of us in the public and private sector have notfully implemented the law’s requirements.In fairness, it must beacknowledgedthat theADA

doescreate some genuineand unique challengesto full implementation. While many employers, businessesand governments embrace the principles embodied in the law, they continually grapple with some of its keyconcepts, including reasonable accommodation and thedefinition of disability itself.

The notion that a business may have to actuallyrecognize someone’s difference, in certain contexts, to provide an equal opportunity, is rather different from the notion of traditional equality which stands for the proposition that similarly-situated people arealways treated by ignoring a difference of race, gender or national origin, for example. Many entities withresponsibilities reasonably ask: When does accommo-dation turn into preferential treatment? Also, there areoften costs associated with full implementation. When isit too expensive? Moreover, some of the ADA’s technical

The ADA: A Work in ProgressBy Mike Galifianakis, State ADA Coordinator

EXPERT UPDATE

?It has been nearly 17years since the ADA was

passed into law – is it

making a differencein the lives of people with

disabilities in America?

Mike Galifianakis is the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) Coordinatorfor the State of Georgia. The ADA Coordinator’s Office works with Stateagencies to promote full and equal access to state government programs,services and activities for persons with disabilities.

www.gcdd.org 25

“While the ADA has become a symbol of the promise of human and

civil rights, much of that promiseremains unfulfilled.”

requirements can seem burdensome, especially for entities already regulated in other areas.

Still, these valid concerns do notcompletely justify the failure to promptly

and fully implement the law’s require-ments. There are not many valid

excuses for incomplete strategic plans or other deficient

implementation strategies, and those entities with

responsibilities shouldcontinually seek out tech-nical support and resourcesto address those difficultchallenges and moveforward. Implementingthe requirements of the ADA is the directroute to creating acustomer-orientedculture that includesindividuals withdisabilities.

Today, theunemployment rateamong people withdisabilities remainshigh, and a lawthat requires an equal workopportunity raises additionalconsiderations. For example,significant numbersof people withdisabilities havenever worked, and need meaning-ful training and

mentoring oppor-tunities to

be successful in the workplace.

For others,even more

basicsupports,

like depen-dable personal

assistanceservices and reliable

public transportationneed to be in place

before employment is even a viable option.

We still need to bring people with disabilities intothe education and employment mainstream, provideaffordable healthcare coverage, increase accessiblehousing options and implement key initiatives to ensurethat there are home and community-based alternatives tonursing homes and institutions.

And of course, we must address these issues againstthe backdrop of a lingering budget crisis at the federal,state and local levels. For the foreseeable future, priorityprograms of the disability community are very likely to be under severe pressure, and spending may be sharply curtailed.

There have been other setbacks as well,including legal challengesquestioning the legitimacyof the law. Individual stateshave argued that the U.S.Congress did not have theauthority to regulate the states in this area. While stillvery much intact, certain legal remedies the law originallyprovided have been limited by these court decisions.Other cases have narrowly defined disability to excludemany individuals with significant impairments, therebydenying them protection under the law.

There are still yet other challenges as well. A case in point: electronic and information technology. More and more, information is a principal commodity ofgovernment, business and industry, and increasingly,electronic and information technology is the medium for the exchange of information.

Technology offers tremendous potential to connectus all. Web sites that are usable by people with sensorydisabilities, accessible hardware and softwareconfigurations combined with assistive technology and other tools can create significant opportunities for people with disabilities to more fully participate – if such technology is accessible. Otherwise, many in the disability community will lag further behind.

The ADA is a work in progress. Clearly, there have been significant steps forward.

These past successes offer realreasons for optimism

about the future. It ismore important tofocus on what needsto get done – andrenew our energy so

we are prepared to fully achieve the ADA’s lofty goals. l


Today, the

UNEMPLOYMENT

rateamong peoplewith disabilities REMAINS HIGH, and a law that

requires an equal work OPPORTUNITY

raises ADDITIONALCONSIDERATIONS. A

D

A

“”

These past successes offer real reasonsfor optimism about the future.

27

Requesting ReasonableAccommodations from anEmployer or Business

Title I of the ADA prohibits discrimination inemployment and requires employers to provide reasonableaccommodations for employees with disabilities.

A reasonable accommodation is a modification oradjustment to a job, the work environment or the way thingsusually are done that enables a qualified individual with adisability to enjoy an equal employment opportunity.Examples of reasonable accommodations include makingexisting facilities accessible; job restructuring; part-time ormodified work schedules; acquiring or modifying equipment;changing tests, training materials or policies; providingqualified readers or interpreters; and reassignment to avacant position.

For additional information about reasonableaccommodation under the ADA, visit the Job AccommodationNetwork website at www.jan.wvu.edu/ or ReasonableAccommodation and Undue Hardship (EEOC Guidance) atwww.eeoc.gov/policy/docs/accommodation.html.

Tips For Employees:• Follow any established procedures your employer has

for requesting an accommodation.

• If you are unsure of how to file your request, speakto your Human Resources Coordinator, onsite ADACoordinator or Supervisor.

• Be specific about the type of accommodation youneed. Detailed information will be helpful to youremployer.

• If your accommodation request can be fulfilled inseveral different ways, provide your employer withyour suggestions on different options.

• You can make your request orally or in writing;however, a written request will provide you withdocumentation of your request.

• Make your request as early as possible.

• Be prepared to submit medical documentation from your treating physician identifying the need for an accommodation.

• Depending on established procedures, be prepared to discuss your accommodation request with yourHuman Resources Coordinator, onsite ADACoordinator or Supervisor.

• You are not responsible for paying for theaccommodation (for example: special computerequipment or materials in large print or Braille).Your employer should provide the accommodationfree of charge, unless your employer candemonstrate that the accommodation will cause an undue hardship.

• If your request is approved, allow your employer a reasonable amount of time to provide you with the requested accommodation.

• If your request is denied, follow any establishedprocedures your employer has for appealing thedecision. You may also file a complaint with theEqual Employment Opportunity Commission if youfeel you have been discriminated against on thebasis of your disability. Call 800-669-4000 (voice) or 800-669-6820 (TTY) to reach the field office in your area.

State and local governments, as well as manybusinesses open to the public also have obligations toensure equal access to goods, services, programs andactivities for people with disabilities.

Tips for Customers or Consumers:• If you require an accommodation when visiting an

agency or business, whenever possible call ahead to give the agency or business advance notice.

• Be specific about the type of accommodation youneed. Detailed information will be helpful to theagency or business.

• You are not responsible for paying for theaccommodation (for example: interpreting servicesor closed captioning). The agency or business shouldprovide the accommodation free of charge, unlessthe agency or business can demonstrate that theaccommodation will cause an undue financial oradministrative burden or would otherwisefundamentally alter the nature of the program,service or activity.

• Contact the Department of Justice, Civil RightsDivision if you feel you have been discriminatedagainst on the basis of your disability at 800-514-0301 (voice) or 800-514-0383 (TTY).

For additional information on access to State ofGeorgia Government programs, services or activities,please contact the State ADA Coordinator’s Office at 404-657-7313.

For all other ADA-related inquires, please contact the Southeast Disability and Business TechnicalAssistance Center at 800-949-4232.

Title I of the ADA prohibits discrimination in employment and requires employers to provide reasonable accommodations for employees with disabilities.


E very three minutes in this country, someonedies warehoused in an institutional ornursing home setting. Often theseindividuals are forced to suffer preventable

deaths due to the neglect incorporated into ourcountry's profit-driven system of long-term care. Thenursing home bias in our nation forces families andindividuals to suffer unnecessarily while corporationsprofit. The government fines long-term careestablishments for neglect and abuse of their patrons,while at the same time rewarding them for keepingthe average cost per hour down.

Individuals inside nursing homes are not grantedthe authority and responsibility of self-determination.That is why the disability community is focused on

changing the bias and getting money follows theperson passed and now are redoubling our efforts toget Community Choice Act of 2007 signed into law.

Because I am on the outside and because theLord has blessed me with the skills and determinationto effect change upon the world, I will do all I can tohelp set our people free, which is why I am involvedin the Long Road Home March. I do believe in theindependent living philosophy. I want all people tohave choice and the right to live in the mostintegrated setting as determined by the SupremeCourt’s Olmstead decision.

I had no idea what kinds of obstacles peoplewith disabilities face. It wasn’t until I broke my neckand became a part of the disability community that Iunderstood what kind of prejudices people with

disabilities deal with in everyday circumstances. Iconsider myself blessed and fortunate as a personwith a high level disability, not to be locked awayand segregated from the rest of society simplybecause I must go about life a little differently. Mycommunity-based attendants help me bathe, dress anddo range of motion exercises. They strap me in thevan, then take me where I need to go, like the LongRoad Home March.

Because my attendants have families and otherjobs, sometimes it’s difficult to coordinate events,especially if they run over the various shift changesin my daily schedule. And because I only have 22hours of coverage, I have to juggle the schedule tomake things work.

Because I am lucky to be in the community, withempowerment to make all the decisions of my dailyliving; I fight for disability, human and civil rights.Each generation is responsible for ensuring agovernment for the people and by the people. I try toshow others that participation in government is everyperson’s civic duty. It is we the people in unity thatmust come together in one voice of contention, onevoice of struggle, one voice of truth. To get anythingdone we must come together and embrace oursimilarities, commonalities which unite us in struggle.Issues like health care and long-term care affect us all.

Both the left and the right are compromised andcontrolled. Corporations cater to politicians throughlobbyists who buy political favor with campaigncontributions that work against the interests andwell-being of the common good. I personally can’t sitby knowing what I know and allow it to continuewithout at least speaking out and making peopleaware of these kinds of issues. There is no us andthem; there is only we. If you can make themunderstand that the policies and systems we arefighting to correct affect them as well, and that theyare part of the problem and the solution, only thenwill they get serious about getting involved.

I will do all I can to help our brothers andsisters without voice, without choice, lost in the rule world of institutional bias to hold onto hope andthe knowledge that there are others who care aboutwhat they’re forced to endure. As long as I have voiceand breath I will do all I can to change the nursinghome bias of this country and right the wrongspreventing people with disabilities from full inclusionand equal citizenship. l

LONG ROAD HOME:

Why I March By Zen Garcia

StraightTalk

“To get anything done we must come together and embraceour similarities, commonalities which unite us in struggle.”

DHRJULYJuly 26Anniversary of ADA andBrain & Spinal Injury TrustFund Annual MeetingColumbus, [email protected]

AUGUSTAugust 2Here I Come! Transition from High School to College Summer Workshop 2007The University System of Georgia& the Alternative Media AccessCenter (AMAC)The University of Georgia, Tateand Student Learning Centers,Athens, GA • 706-542-1299www.amac.uga.edu/sw2007.php

August 24-26People First ConferenceJekyll Island, GA404-552-9101

SEPTEMBERSeptember 8-13ADAPT Fall ActionChicago, ILwww.adapt.org

September 16-19Southeastern Association of Area Agencies on Agingand Georgia GerontologySociety: Aging Takes Center StageSavannah, GAwww.georgiagerontologysociety.org

September 27Discovery DayThe Home DepotAtlanta, GA • 1-800-ASK-GCDDwww.gcdd.org

OCTOBEROctober 24-27National Association for the Dually DiagnosedAnnual ConferenceAtlanta Renaissance HotelAtlanta, GA845-331-4336www.thenadd.org

DHR Board MeetingsAugust 15 - Atlanta

September 19 - Atlanta

October 17 - TBA

November 14 - Atlanta

December 12 - Atlanta

www.gcdd.org 29

CALENDAR

Good thing John had supports in place BEFORE moving out of the institution!


RESOURCES

pg. 8 pg.18 pg. 21pg. 12

Below, please find furtherresources of informationrelated to the articles inthis edition of Making aDifference magazine.

Governor’s Council on Developmental Disabilities (GCDD)www.gcdd.org 404-657-2126 or 888-275-4233 (ASK-GCDD)

State GovernmentDepartment of Community AffairsGeorgia Housing Searchwww.georgiahousingsearch.org877-428-8844

Department of Laborwww.dol.state.ga.us

General Informationwww.georgia.gov

Georgia General Assemblywww.legis.state.ga.us/

Georgia House ofRepresentativeswww.legis.state.ga.us/legis/2003_04/house/index.htm

Georgia Senatewww.legis.state.ga.us/legis/2003_04/senate/index.htmGeorgia Governor’s Officewww.gov.state.ga.us/404-656-1776

Georgia Lieutenant Governor’s Officewww.ltgov.georgia.gov/02/ltgov/home/0,2214,2199618,00.html404-656-5030

Money Follows the People

Department of Community Health

www.dch.state.ga.us404-656-4507

Department of Human Resources

www.dhr.georgia.gov404-656-4937

Statewide Independent Living Council

www.silcga.org770-270-6860Toll Free: 888-288-9780

Special Needs Scholarships

Georgia Department of Education

public.doe.k12.ga.us/sb10.aspx

Georgia Council of Administrators of Special Education

www.gcase.org/committee_pages/legislative.htm

Long Road HomeOlmstead Decisionwww.cms.hhs.gov/apps/

media/press/release.asp?Counter=369

Endeavor Freedomwww.endeavorfreedom.orgwww.myspace.com/

endeavorfreedomtv

Recreation OptionsFull Radius Dance www.fullradiusdance.org404-724-9663

Swim Atlanta www.saswimschool.com678-442-7946

Sidekicks Karate www.metoosports.com404-329-9730 [email protected]

Saddle-Up Therapeutic Riding Center, Inc.

[email protected]

Chastain Horse Park www.chastainhorsepark.org404-252-4244mbranton@chastainhorsepark.org

Parent to Parent of Georgia www.parenttoparentofga.org/

roadmap

Americans with Disabilities Act

Georgia’s ADA Coordinator’s Office

www.state.ga.us/gsfic/ada/404-657-7313

ADA Information and Technical Assistance

www.ada.gov800-514-0301 800-514-0383 (TTY)

Job Accommodations Network

www.jan.wvu.edu/

U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission ADA Guidance

www.eeoc.gov/policy/docs/accommodation.html

pg. 12 pg. 21pg. 8

www.gcdd.org 31

SUPPORTING THE DISABILITY COMMUNITY

770-394-9791www.childrens-services.com

“Complete developmental occupational therapy for children –

toddlers through teens.”

If you are interested in being a sponsor for

Making a Difference magazine, please call Valerie Buxton

@ 770-578-9765

Thanks toOUR SPONSORSfor their Support.

Division of Disabilities Services

Residential - Highly individualized, community support with all ADL skillsSupported Employment - Individualized supports to find & maintain

competitive employmentDay Program - Creative alternative to supported employmentTransition Program - Life Skills Development

JF&CS Division of Disabilites

Jewish Family & Career Services is a proud partner of theJewish Federation of Greater Atlanta and of the United Way of Metropolitan Atlanta

For information call 770.677.9379 or email [email protected]

www.YourToolsForLiving.org

Governor’s Council on Developmental Disabilities2 Peachtree Street, NW, Suite 26-246Atlanta, GA 30303-3142404-657-2126, www.gcdd.org

Address Service Requested

The quarterly magazine of the GeorgiaGovernor’s Council on Developmental Disabilities

Volume 8, Issue 1 • Summer 2007

GEORGIA GOVERNOR’S COUNCIL ON DEVELOPMENTAL DISABILITIES

Real Homes. Real Careers. Real Learning. Real Influence. Real Supports.

Dozens of advocates marchedfrom the STATE CAPITOL to themain branch of the ATLANTA

PUBLIC LIBRARY June 22. The

fourth annual Long RoadHome March participantshoped to DRAW ATTENTION to thehundreds of Georgians with

disabilities who are FORCED to

live in nursing homes andINSTITUTIONS, instead of in their

own communities. Attendeesalso celebrated some advocacyMILESTONES this year inGeorgia: receiving federal MoneyFollows the Person (MFP)funding; the passage of ADVANCEDIRECTIVE LEGISLATION; and the

establishment of a Medicaidbuy-in program for peoplewith disabilities who want to goto WORK.

SEE FULL STORY, PAGE 18.long road home march • long road home march • long road home march

Documents

Making a Difference Magazine || Summer 2007