NEWSLETTER/Nwsltr JUL05

Plans for the 50th Anniversary Celebration of The Atlanta Alliance on Developmental Disabilities (AADD) are well underway. They include a film series and other activities.

Already committed to support this milestone celebration in the life of AADD -- which will feature selected movies to be shown mostly at existing film festival events -- are several prominent community organizations including the Marcus Institute, the Woodruff Arts Center Diversity Initiative, Jewish Family and Career Services, Arts for Independence, VSA Arts Georgia, Georgia State University, the IMAGE Atlanta Film Festival, and Schroder Public Relations.

The AADD Film Series will take place over a six-month time period beginning in March, 2006. Representatives from each of these community organizations are involved in the creation and support of a series of six community events, designed to raise awareness and support for the work of AADD.

In addition to a kick-off concert featuring previews of the movies, and a wrap-up celebratory breakfast, five movies, at various venues throughout metro Atlanta, will be shown with the purpose of helping people to better understand what a developmental disability is, how people with developmental and other disabilities make contributions to our communities, and why "we are all better together" -- how communities are stronger when they fully include people with developmental disabilities.

The movies are either about someone with a developmental disability, by someone with a developmental disability, or starring someone with a developmental or other disability. At this point we plan to include Rain Man, Radio, as well as Emmanuel's Gift, an inspiring documentary which received widespread acclaim during the IMAGE Film Festival.

AADD supporters who would like to help with the events -- in a sponsorship or volunteer capacity -- are encouraged to contact Carey Sipp at 404-881-977, ext. 228, or by email at carey@aadd.org Return to Top

Save the Date!

The 2005 Legacy of Leadership Breakfast will be held on November 8, 2005.

2. Who Doesn't Like a Day at the Lake"?

AADD’s

“Who Doesn’t Like A Day At The Lake !"

(Unified Activity)

Sunday August 28, 2005

Time - 2PM until 6PM

Yacht Club Boat Rides

Fun & Games

Food, Swimming

Bring your family and friends.

The University Yacht Club on Lake Lanier has invited AADD's consumers, family and friends for an afternoon at the lake. AADD Board member Dave Erickson has arranged for us to enjoy the hospitality of the University Yacht Club in their own clubhouse and cove on the lake.

There will be boat rides, fishing (bring your own pole), swimming (bring your own suit), and food (the yacht club will provide the food).

RSVP to Dan Evatt 404-881-9777 ext. 216 or 404-326-5345 or dan@aadd.org .

Who Doesn't Like A Day At The Lake!

Directions to University Yacht Club

6649 Yacht Club Rd, Flowery Branch, GA.

Sunday August 28, 2005 2 PM until 6 PM

Take I-85 North to I-985 to Exit 8 (Friendship Rd.)

Turn Left onto Friendship Rd. go approximately one and a half miles to McEver Rd.

Turn Right onto McEver Rd. and go approximately one and a half miles to the first traffic light at Gaines Ferry Rd.

Turn Left onto Gaines Ferry Rd. and go approximately one mile to Yacht Club Rd.

Turn Left onto Yacht Club Rd. and follow it to the end and the University Yacht Club Rd.

Map

Thoughts for the Day...

"Whether you think

that you can,

or that you can't,

you are usually right."

- Henry Ford

(1863-1947)

"Knowledge speaks,

but wisdom listens."

- Jimi Hendrix

"First they ignore you, then they laugh at you, then they fight you,

then you win."

- Mahatma Gandhi

(1869-1948)

"If I were two-faced,

would I be wearing

this one?"

- Abraham Lincoln

(1809-1865)

Return to Top

3. 2005 "Legacy of Leadership" Planners Look to November 8

Legacy of Leadership Plans

Advance for November 8 Breakfast

Marianne Craft (far left), 2004 Legacy of Leadership co-chair, gets together with the event co-chairs for 2005, Chris and Jan Schroder, to discuss AADD's signature fundraising event for 2005. The co-chairs, past and present, invite everyone to SAVE THE DATE and mark calendars now for the exciting, inspiring, uplifting breakfast -- that is free and lasts just one hour -- on November 8, 2005, at Trinity Presbyterian Church.

For more information about how you can be a table captain and invite 8 of your friends to come for free and learn more about the work of AADD, please contact Carey Sipp at 404-881-9777 ext. 228. (The event is free. We do ask for contributions, but a contribution is not necessary to attend, nor is there pressure to contribute.) Return to Top

L-R: Marianne Craft, Chris Schroder, Jan Schroder

. 4. Jewish Family & Career Services Offers Translation Service

¿Habla usted español? Вы говорите по-русски?

Parlez-vous le français ? Spreekt u Nederlands?

Atlanta’s Jewish Family & Career Services, is offering verbal interpretation and written translation in every major language, including Sign Language, plus many less commonly used ones. JF&CS has a network of highly skilled and experienced translators and interpreters who provide language assistance to non-English speaking patients and clients in the medical, legal and business communities of Atlanta. These professionals are an invaluable part of appointments, meetings and orientations, enabling and maximizing communication between different cultures. Jewish Family & Career Services is a 115-year-old non-profit, non-sectarian agency that focuses on a variety of social programs.

For more information, please contact Kevin C. Madigan at 770-677-9356 or translation@jfcs-atlanta.org .

Return to Top

5. Woodruff Arts Center to host Montreaux Jazz Festival - Labor Day weekend

The Woodruff Arts Center, which is partnering with AADD to help celebrate AADD's 50th Anniversary, will host the Montreaux Jazz Festival in Atlanta over Labor Day Weekend, according to David Manuel, who heads up the Celebrate Diversity Initiative of the Woodruff Arts Center. The festival will showcase more than 100 local, regional, and internationally renowned musicians. Tickets are on sale now through the box office at 404-733-5000 or www.woodruffcentertickets.org

The Montreax Jazz Festival will also host free performances in the Woodruff Callaway Plaza, an outdoor venue, throughout the entire festival. Return to Top

6. "Long Road Home" March Highlights Olmstead

- by Jared Aguayo, AADD Intern

"What do we want? Freedom! When do we want it? Now!"

The chant could be heard a block away. Fred Taylor, a community supporter, participant in the “Long Road Home,” and instigator of the chant, believes that people with developmental disabilities should have the right to choose where to live and that the Olmstead Decision should be enforced.

The “Long Road Home” was a four-day march, sponsored by People First of Atlanta, and organized by Kate Gainer and other persons with disabilities. Its purpose was to call attention to the Olmstead Decision and to remind government officials that people with disabilities do not want to be in an institution. It was also to bring awareness to the general public of the need for community services to assist people with disabilities.

Marchers focused attention on the provisions of the Olmstead Decision, and the need for community services to assist people with disabilities. In photo at lower left, Dave Blanchard, AADD's Director of Public Policy & Education, chats with Kate Gainer, a key organizer of the march.

On June 22, 1999, the U.S. Supreme Court held in Olmstead v. L.C., that the unnecessary segregation of individuals with disabilities in institutions constitutes discrimination based on disability.

The Long Road Home began at Gracewood Hospital in Augusta on June 19. The group marched (and rolled) to Julian Smith Casino on Broad Street in Augusta, and then on to College Square in downtown Athens on June 21. They rallied the next day at the Martin Luther King Center. The group then made the short trip to the State Capitol in the hopes of meeting with Governor Sonny Perdue, but he was not available.

“The highlight of the march was that people were actually getting together and realizing they have power that they never thought they had before. When they were marching down the streets and screaming their lungs out they felt they were in control and they are in control of their lives. Some of those people never felt like that,” Gainer said.

The march consisted of 47 volunteers and participants, but as more people came to commemorate the sixth anniversary of the Olmstead Decision, by the time they got to the Martin Luther King Center, the group had grown to 67.

“The money allocated by the state should follow the people and they have the right to choose where to live,” said Bernard Baker, an activist with disabilities."

Even though the people of the Long Road Home were not able to see the Governor, they still felt they accomplished one important task. “The fact that we were able to get the public attention on this matter and have great coverage on TV, newspaper, and radio was wonderful!” Gainer said.

Return to Top

7. AADD "Agency of the Quarter" at Atlanta Community Food Bank

AADD Chosen to be the Atlanta Community Food Bank’s Agency of the Quarter

The Atlanta Community Food Bank (ACFB) has selected AADD as its “agency of the quarter.”

AADD collaborates with the Atlanta Community Food Bank, to provide ongoing support to approximately 135 families and individuals in the metro area.

In May, a representative from the ACFB visited our offices and conducted a thorough review of our record keeping, food management, and services that AADD provides to families in need of temporary assistance.

The Atlanta Community Food Bank, with whom

AADD works to secure food support for families

in need, recognizes AADD as "agency of the quarter."

Out of this visit, AADD was chosen as the Agency of the Quarter for July, August and September 2005. The picture at left is from the waiting room at the ACFB.

To be chosen for this recognition, an organization must be clearly "doing a good job and connecting with the community. " Also, AADD is now able to benefit from the prepared food service provided through Atlanta’s Table, also part of the ACFB Family. This has been a welcome benefit for the mothers with whom AADD’s Georgia Family Support Outreach Specialists work. Return to Top

8. BRAG, BRAG, BRAG......Diary of the week-long trip

Record of the Bike Ride Across Georgia (BRAG)

by Arlen Gray, volunteer participant.

Saturday, June 11. As we headed for Columbus for the BRAG, we weren’t sure if it would be the Bicycle Ride Across Georgia or the Bicycle Swim Across Georgia. Tropical Storm Arlene was doing her thing. Our initial team consisted of Atlanta area athletes Patrick, Bryan, Bill G. and Nigel with coaches Lee Tidmore and Dij Evatt, van driver Tanya and assistants Gardner and Arlen.

Sunday, June 12. 66 miles. Columbus to Thomaston. A light rain ended before we set out and the cloud cover kept temperatures comfortable. Nigel and Bill G. rode the entire distance, and we pulled into camp to spot our three white pop-up tents topped with a 4-foot, green froggie banner swaying from the 16-foot pole.

BRAG camps are like country fairs with various vendors. Café Campesino offered snacks and hot coffee in the morning, iced mochas in the afternoon. There were masseurs, bicycle apparel vendors, bike shop tents with accessories and repair stands, local groups offering food, maps and souvenir gift bags. An 18-wheeler truck provided free hot showers for the riders. Bubba’s Pampered Peddlers company had tents with drinks and snacks.

Monday, June 13. 57 miles. Thomaston to Warner Robins. Heavy fog in the morning. We did a harrowing section along GA 316. The countryside became rolling, and the heat and humidity were at their most oppressive. Tanya was kept busy picking up exhausted riders – but not Bill G. and Nigel. Patrick made sure we bought birthday balloons for one of the coaches.

By week's end, the level coastal plain was welcome to all the exhausted but exhilarated riders.

Tuesday, June 14. 82 miles. Warner Robins to Dublin. The route snaked around and gave us lots of hills. As the light early morning fog cleared and the sun beat down, those climbs seemed to stretch out and get steeper. Bill G. set a personal record, logging 90 miles on his bike. Some of us enjoyed the best kept secret of middle Georgia – homemade soft-serve, natural, just-off-the-tree peach ice cream. We hit the Days Inn for two nights with air conditioning! Beds with mattresses! Bathrooms! The team was joined by Macon athletes Bill, Andre', and Troy, Coach Ellen, and assistant Lynne of Decatur.

Wednesday, June 15. Rest Day in Dublin. We said goodbye to cheerful and talkative Gardner, who needed to return to Decatur. It was a day of cleaning, airing, drying, doing laundry, restocking bottled water and snacks, and a trip for more peach ice cream. Dij and Lee opened their bicycle tune-up clinic, to the benefit of all riders.

Thursday, June 16. 53 miles. Dublin to Vidalia. Bryan completed all 53 miles. Bill G. found himself on the “hammerhead” route, a longer, tougher ride, and became “Hammerhead Bill.” Patrick had an over-the-handlebar mishap, which he took in good spirit. We began to see swampy woodlands and were refreshed by the beautiful countryside.

Friday, June 17. 65 miles. Vidalia to Jesup. Some of us learned to call the river the “all-tah-mah-HAH” and crossed it on a very long bridge, with semis whipping by. That morning, the pancake guy, Chris Cakes, was back flipping pancakes onto plates. The Special Olympics Georgia rest stops punctuated our tour every day.

Saturday, June 18. 62 miles. Jesup to Jekyll Island. We entered a by-way along a swamp that was bursting with blooms: purple arrowhead, yellow cannas, and an orange-red campion. Trees lined the road and although it was “shake-and-bake” (rough macadam), it was also shady. Soon we reached Brunswick and faced The Three Bridges. The athletes pedaled up all three bridges; some of us walked up all three. Tanya was waiting with the van at the causeway. Victory pictures. Then we headed out to the island.

It was a great time with new friendships, vivid memories, lots of jokes and good humor. Thanks Lee, Dij and Tanya for making the trip possible, and for making it go so well.

-Arlen Gray

[This unified BRAG team was sponsored by Special Olympics of Georgia

(SOGA) and organized by AADD. Arlen was a first time volunteer on BRAG.] Return to Top

9. Recreation - Upcoming Events and Activities

- Updated monthly -

Summer Dance

It’s time to start thinking about the Summer Dance. Come dance with us at the Fowler YMCA. There will be refreshments and lots of fun. Each year this dance gets bigger and bigger. Come, enjoy, and help us make this a great success.

Date: Saturday, August 6, 2005

Time: 7 to 10:00 PM

Place: Fowler YMCA (Peachtree Corners Area)

Cost: $5.00 "Donation"

Contact: Janice Matthews Decatur/DeKalb YMCA 404-377-0241

RSVP by July 31st, 2005 - 404-687-2521

(Happy Club)

AADD’s "Who Doesn’t Like A Day At The Lake"

(See Article & Map in Section #2, ABOVE)

(Unified Activity - including persons with disabilities and without disabilities)

Sunday August 28, 2005

Time: 2 PM until 6 PM

Yacht Club Boat Rides

Fun & Games

Food, Swimming

Bring your family and friends.

The University Yacht Club on Lake Lanier has invited AADD's consumers, family and friends for an afternoon at the lake. Dave Erickson (AADD board member) has arranged for us to enjoy the hospitality of the University Yacht Club in their own clubhouse and cove on the lake. There will be boat rides, fishing (bring your own pole), swimming (bring your own suit), and food (the yacht club will provide the food).

RSVP to Dan Evatt 404-881-9777 ext. 216 or 404-326-5345 or dan@aadd.org .

Bocce (unified activity - including persons with disabilities and without disabilities)

Wednesday Evening

Starts Wednesday, July 6th through October 5th 2005

6:30 to 7:30 PM

No charge except for special events (scholarships available for those events)

Mason Mill Park (Toco Hills Area)

Ages 8 and above.

This is a Unified Bocce group. Everyone is welcomed to play. We need more players for this group.

The team is planning to compete in Special Olympics Fall games in Albany, GA. October 7th, 8th, & 9th of this year.

The more the merrier!

Contact Dan Evatt 404-881-9777 ext 216, email dan@aadd.org

Softball

Thursday Evenings starting in July

Mason Mill Park (Toco Hills Area) Contact Alice Bradford 404-679-5917

Gresham Park (South DeKalb Area) Contact Aseelah House 770-604-3926

6:30 to 8:00 PM

Ages 14 and above

The teams are planning to compete in Special Olympics Fall games in Albany, GA. October 7th, 8th , & 9th of this year.

Cycling

(Unified Activity)

Our group is looking for riders.

We ride each week at Stone Mountain Park. This is a great place to train. There are special bike lanes for us to ride in, riders ride at their own pace, and they ride only as far as they can. We can help riders to get bicycles if need be, and we have great support for our group.

You don't have to be a hardcore cyclist. Everybody rides at their own pace. Come check us out. You don’t have to commit.

This summer, the cycling group took a week-long bicycle trip from Columbus to Jekyll Island in mid-June.

If you are interested or just curious, give Dan a call.

Monday 6:00 PM

Ages 14 and above

No charge except for special events (scholarships available for those events).

Toco Hills Area

Contact Dan Evatt 404-881-9777 ext 216 email dan@aadd.org

Bowling Unified Activity

AADD’s Special Olympics bowling team will start practice late October, early November. We have two locations, Decatur, & Roswell, where we bowl on Saturday mornings.

Contact Dan Evatt 404-881-9777 ext 216 email dan@aadd.org

Swimming Unified Activity

AADD’s Special Olympics swim team will start practice in late October. Tuesday evenings 7:30 to 8:30 PM. We are lucky enough to practice at the Emory University swimming pool. Also, members from Emory University swim team help coach our team.

Contact Dan Evatt 404-881-9777 ext 216 email dan@aadd.org

South Metro Residents

Check out Fayette County Parks & Recreation Department Therapeutic Programs.

Special Olympics Teams, Happy Club, and Social Activities are just a few of the activities Debbie and her group have for South Metro Atlanta residents.

Contact Debbie Parrish at 770-716-4325

SASSY (A Fun Family Group)

This group in South DeKalb County meets several times a month for social activities. They meet as a family, parents and children, for picnics, parties, bowling, and even trips to Disney World.

Contact: BJ Kelly 770-987-9171

Voice Mail 770-969-9571

Social Club

Meets First & Third Fridays of each month

7:00 PM

Mason Mill Park (Toco Hills Area)

Contact Ms. Aseelah House at Mason Mill Park 404-679-5917 or 404-679-4699

Happy Group

Meets twice monthly at several Metro Atlanta YMCAs, usually Saturday afternoons, depending upon the activity.

Takes field trips such as Braves games, dinner and a movie, dances, plays, wish to fish, Hawks basketball games (we don't sit courtside), paint your own pottery, etc.

The newest location will be in the South Metro Area through the Fayette Co Parks & Recreation and Fayette YMCA Dept. Contact Debbie Parrish 770-461-9714 ext. 5644

Contact Happy Club Voice Mail 404-687-2521

Cobb County Residents:

Contact the Cobb Co. Parks & Recreation Cultural Affairs Therapeutic Recreation Services Unit for lots of activities. They have Social Clubs, Special Trips, Dances, Camps, and various sport teams.

555 Nickajack Rd, Mableton, GA 30126 770-819-3215 Fax 770-819-3218

Rockdale County Residents:

Rockdale County Parks and Recreation Department is planning growth in its existing program, with a full-time recreation therapist for the county. Call Tom McPike at 770-981-6306 and see what’s new.

Return to Top

Atlanta Alliance on Developmental Disabilities - (AADD)

1440 Dutch Valley Place - Suite 200 Atlanta, GA 30324-5371

Phone: 404-881-9777

Fax: 404-881-0094

Email, AADD newsletter ONLY: AADDnewsletter@aadd.org

Email, AADD Information: info@aadd.org

AADD web site: www.aadd.org

Click here to UNSUBSCRIBE

If this free newsletter has been forwarded to you and you wish to SUBSCRIBE,

click here: SUBSCRIBE

(Please be sure to give us your name when you subscribe. Thanks!)

Announcements of Activities and Programs are provided as a public service.

If you have announcements of upcoming events, send them to AADDnewsletter@aadd.org, by the 15th of the month. AADD reserves the right to include or edit information.

Excepting programs of which AADD is a sponsor, AADD does not endorse any product, privilege, or service.

Return to Top