Download the entire 2007 Annual Report (PDF - 2.7 MB)

MESSAGE FROM THE BOARD PRESIDENT AND EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR:

Dear friends,

Annual reports by definition are about numbers – people helped, assets and liabilities, dollars raised and spent – and you will find those numbers for Fiscal Year 2007 in this document.

While these statistics and the hard work and invaluable support they represent give us reason to feel a great degree of satisfaction, there are two key and historic statistics from 2007 that
represent a major victory for thousands of Georgians living with developmental disabilities.

These statistics will not be found on our balance sheet, as they are more about the State of Georgia’s budget than AADD’s budget.

But there is no doubt AADD’s investments in education and advocacy – Partners in Policymaking and the Unlock the Waiting Lists! Campaign, two programs we administer – are keystones in making these historic numbers possible:

1. 2007 saw the largest multiple-year funding increase for supports for people living with developmental
   disabilities in Georgia history.*
2. Georgia’s 2007 multi-year funding increase ultimately represented, over the last three years, the largest
   increase in community funding for persons with developmental disabilities in the nation.

These increases are positive and life changing for our fellow Georgians:

• People who have lived in institutions their entire lives are celebrating that they can now
  receive their care at home, with their loved ones.
• People with life-long dreams of securing a job and living with greater independence are
  receiving long-awaited employment supports, empowering them to realize their goals.
• Parents, strained by these hard economic times, can go back to work for the first time in
  years, knowing their adult children with developmental disabilities are receiving day
  supports to stay safe and be engaged in the community.
• Family members, stressed physically and emotionally by years of taking care of loved
  ones by themselves, are receiving outside help.

Since AADD began concerted efforts to advocate for increases in services for Georgians with developmental disabilities via the Unlock the Waiting Lists! Campaign, the numbers of services funded have increased substantially. We have helped to move Georgia’s ranking from 44th to 30th in terms of community-based services.

There is no doubt AADD’s investment in this important work helps legislators and other public policy makers understand the critical needs of families living with developmental disabilities. While these investments are paying off in ways that cannot be reflected on AADD’s balance sheet, we must not forget that 6,000 people remain on the waiting list for services.

Further, Georgia still ranks first in the number of people with intellectual disabilities in nursing homes. As of press time, the State of Georgia’s disappointing budget proposal included only 500 new services for FY 09. Each year 700 new Georgia high school graduates with developmental disabilities enter into adulthood and the job market, adding to the need for new services. We must redouble our efforts so they don’t just graduate to a waiting list.

As we look to continue our vitally important work, we invite your feedback and participation. We need and appreciate your continued financial support to provide advocacy, education, and life-changing services for Georgians living with developmental disabilities. Thank you in advance for your ongoing generosity.

In appreciation,

Winston Jones and Mary Yoder