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GAO -- Advocacy for People with Developmental Disabilities

Protection and Advocacy for People with
Developmental Disabilities

Advocacy is provided to citizens with developmental disabilities throughout Georgia. A developmental disability refers to a severe, chronic disability which is (a) attributable to a mental or physical impairment, (b) manifested prior to age 22, (c) likely to continue indefinitely, (d) resulting in substantial limitations in at least three of seven major life functions, and (e) requiring services for an extended period of time.

We would like to hear your opinion on how we are doing this work.

Click here if you would like to fill out a satisfaction survey about a particular situation that you have spoken to us about.

Click here is you would like to know about our client grievance procedure.

Below is a description of our planned emphasis for 2007 - 2008. Please email (to info@thegao.org) or mail (to 150 East Ponce de Leon Avenue, Suite 430, Decatur, GA 30030) your comments, suggestions, or questions. We welcome your comments on our work throughout the year.

Please comment on our planned emphasis for 2007 - 2008. You can email your comments to info@thegao.org or mail your comments to 150 East Ponce de Leon Avenue, Suite 430, Decatur, GA 30030. We welcome your comments on our work throughout the year.

Priority 1: To protect individuals with developmental disabilities in Georgia from abuse and neglect.

Objective 1: Investigate at least ten (10) suspicious or unexplained deaths of persons with developmental disabilities.

Objective 2: Investigate and address at least fifty (50) allegations of abuse or neglect.

Objective 3: Advocate for appropriate home and community-based supports and services, for at least twenty-five (25) persons with developmental disabilities in institutions.

Objective 4: Advocate for appropriate home and community-based supports and services, including educational and healthcare, for at least twenty-five (25) persons with developmental disabilities at risk of institutionalization.

Priority 2: To respond to allegations of discrimination and legal rights violations of persons with disabilities in Georgia.

Objective 1: Intervene to protect at least five (5) persons with developmental disabilities subject to fiduciary relationships, including guardianship and power of attorney.

Objective 2: Advocate for at lease five (5) persons with developmental disabilities subject to discrimination by local and state governments.

Objective 3: Advocate for at least five (5) persons with developmental disabilities subject to discrimination in healthcare, housing, transportation, and employment.

Priority 3: Promote the integration and self-determination of persons with disabilities in the community.

Objective 1: Support at least ten (10) persons with developmental disabilities and families to apply for Medicaid waovers and other government services.

Objective 2: Empower at least ten (10) persons with developmental disabilities, family members, and concerned citizens to advocate for competitive employment, educational, healthcare, and other services that are appropriate to the person's needs.

In addition to the work done out of the Georgia Advocacy Office, we support Citizen Advocacy offices in eight local communities. The local offices recruit, match, train and give assistance to citizen advocates in Atlanta, DeKalb County, Macon, Baldwin County, Savannah, Gainesville, Augusta, and Athens.

For a general description and philosophy of this program please see the brochure