Georgia Voices That Count

Eligibility / Participants / Apply

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.

Who is Eligible?

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.

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
(404) 687-9175 TTY
(800) 239-2507 (V/TTY)
(404) 687-8298 FAX