The 2007 – 2008 class of Partners in Policymaking welcomed state legislators including Representatives Alan Powell, Margaret Kaiser, Tyrone Brooks, Len Walker and Bobby Reese and as well as Senators Bill Jackson and Rene Unterman to the annual Mock Testimony in January. Legislators listened with rapt attention to the 33 members of this year’s class who provided expert testimony on aspects of disability and legislation including the Mental Retardation Waiver Program (MRWP), the Independent Care Waiver Program, Use of Respectful Language in the Georgia Code, and the importance of Vocational Rehabilitation Counselors.  
 
AADD’s Partners in Policymaking is an intensive advocacy education training program for people living with developmental and other disabilities or family members of people with developmental and other disabilities. During the nine-month program participants meet one weekend a month to learn self-advocacy and advocacy skills, as well as information on many different aspects of disability.