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Imagine a time when individuals with mental retardation were sent off to institutions, where they had little or no interaction with other individuals, and were sometimes restrained by straps or shackles and left for hours, even days, on their own. These sons and daughters, brothers and sisters, aunts and uncles, were forgotten. Essentially, these people had no life, no dignity, and no hope.

Just fifty years ago, this was the grim reality in Georgia and most other states. Many people with developmental disabilities were isolated because their families thought isolation was the only option. Overall, the societal awareness about people with developmental disabilities and their unique needs barely existed beyond the scope of their immediate families. Many of these families had little or no resources to help with the care of their children with developmental disabilities.

In 1956 a group of determined parents came together to change the status quo. Their collective vision? To help make the world open its eyes and arms to the gifts of their children with developmental disabilities. Sitting around a coffee table in a private home, this group shared common frustrations, challenges, and hopes. Because they could not bear thoughts of their children living hours away in institutions, their meetings lead to the creation of what is now AADD.

As AADD begins its sixth decade of service, it remains one of the nation's pioneering organizations in advocacy and support for people living with developmental disabilities. Our groundbreaking programs and services are models, and our impact reaches beyond the metro Atlanta area to Georgia and across the nation.