Developed and led by people with disabilities, “Georgia Voices that
Count” (VTC) is a disability rights advocacy training and support project
for people with disabilities. It is designed for Georgians with an interest and
commitment to disability rights advocacy and who have not previously received
formal advocacy training. The focus is on Self-Determination in employment and
community living. Self-Determination means, “making our dreams happen by
having choices and control over our lives” (People First of Georgia,
1997). The goal of this project is to build strong leaders in the disability
rights community who can work for changes in our communities, in our state and
in our nation.
The criteria for selection:
- To live in Georgia
- To have a disability
- To have a strong commitment to disability rights advocacy
- And not to have previously undertaken formal advocacy training
What does the program consist of?
Responsibilities:
Participants are required to be present at four training sessions and to
undertake “homework” between sessions. Each participant will
undertake their own advocacy project, with a focus on either employment or
community living, developing a plan of action with immediate, short-term and
long-term goals. Immediate goals are to be met within the project period of one
year. Participants are asked to provide mentorship to other people with
disabilities by supporting at least one other self-advocate to participate in
an advocacy activity.
Participants are asked to:
- Fully participate in the project by attending all the training and
support sessions and as many other advocacy activities as possible
- Agree to undertake an advocacy project during the year they
participate
- Support other people with disabilities to participate in advocacy
activities
Support:
The training and support is provided by people with disabilities,
established leaders and others associated with the following organizations:
- People First of Georgia
- Statewide Independent Living Council
- Institute on Human Development and Disability
- disABILITY LINK
- Georgia ADA Exchange
- Governor’s Council on Developmental Disabilities
- Georgia Mental Health Consumer Network
- Shepherd Center
- And many others
Georgia Voices that Count can offer you:
- Support – by phone, by email and in person
- Inspiration!
- Curriculum
- Information
- Resources
- Ideas
- Introductions and Connections
- Opportunities for participation in advocacy activities and meetings
- Training and Support sessions – held over 12 months, around the
state of Georgia
- Interesting presentations and activities led by established leaders
in disability rights advocacy
- Scholarships to cover transportation, meals, lodging and
accommodations required to participate in the training and support sessions
- Business cards with the “Georgia Voices that Count” logo
- Up to $200 to help cover expenses incurred with your advocacy project
– long distance phone calls, mailing costs, photocopying costs, conference
fees and other items related to advocacy as agreed with the project coordinator
How do I apply?
Timeline:
- Apply at any time during the year
- Deadline is in January
- Selection and Notification in February
- Duration of Project is April to March
Applications may be downloaded here.
Voices That Count Application
Or
you may contact us to request a hardcopy or alternate format
application.
View the Georgia Voices That Count PowerPoint presentation! - You can view the presentation online by clicking here *may slow down some older computers* or by downloading directly by clicking here.
Note: You will need to have PowerPoint or the PowerPoint Viewer installed in order to view the downloaded file.
Contact Information
For more information, please contact:
Linda Pogue, Project Coordinator, x114
email:
GreenPogue@aol.com
at
disABILITY LINK
755 Commerce
Drive, Suite 105
Decatur, GA 30030
(404) 687-8890 Voice
711 (TTY Relay)
(800) 239-2507 (V/TTY)
(404) 687-8298 FAX
Email: info@disabilitylink.org
