NEWSLETTERFebruary 2008

The

e-AADDvocate

Newsletter of the Atlanta Alliance on Developmental Disabilities

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Our mission

is to build

communities of

support, acceptance,

and opportunity for

children, adults,

and families living with developmental

disabilities

Issue 45 February 2008

(Click on title below to go directly to article.)

1. Learn How a Little Space Supports Families Living with Developmental Disabilities
2. AADD's Partners in Policymaking Mock Testimony Well Attended by Legislators
3. Disability Day at the Georgia State Capitol is Slated for February 21
4. Successful "Conversations That Matter" Series Includes 1,200 Families State-Wide
5. AADD People & Programs Spotlight: Take Charge Health & Wellness Program
6. Activities Connection

1. Learn How a Little Space Supports Families Living with

Developmental Disabilities

AADD is seeking ways to increase contributions of household items and clothing to ensure funding generated by the sale of these items remains steady. One efficient way to do this is to increase the number of AADD collection bins in metro-Atlanta.

"Like many businesses that have been impacted by our slowing economy, thrift stores have seen a decline in sales in recent months. Therefore it’s crucial that we step up our efforts to secure donations of household items and clothing. This is mission critical as we cannot afford to lose revenues any time, but especially not when there are so many families counting on AADD for the support that is often the difference between people receiving vital services or their needs being unmet," said Mary Yoder, AADD executive director. “Please let Carey know immediately if you are willing to place a bin at your business or if you know people we can contact who could be willing to help,” she added.

If you are a business owner or decision maker who could devote the equivalent of one or more parking spaces to help AADD right now, please contact Carey Sipp at 404-881-9777 ext. 228 or carey@aadd.org.

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2. AADD's Partners in Policymaking Mock Testimony Well Attended

by Legislators

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 Senators Bill Jackson and Renee Unterman, to the annual Mock Testimony in January. Legislators listened with rapt attention as the 33 members of this year’s class provided expert testimony on aspects of disability and legislation including  the Mental Retardation Waiver Program (MRWP), the Independent Care Waiver Program (ICWP), se of respectful language in the Georgia Code, and the importance of Vocational Rehabilitation Counselors. To view a photo scrapbook from the event, click here.

In addition to having the opportunity to meet with state legislators, this year's Partners participants were given a behind-the-scenes tour of the Capitol.

AADD’s Partners in Policymaking is an intensive advocacy education training program for people living with developmental or their family members. During the nine-month program, funded in large part by the Governor's Council on Developmental Disabilities, participants meet one weekend a month to learn advocacy skills, as well as information on many different aspects of disability.

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Dorothea Cadet, mother of a son with a developmental disability, speaks out in favor of increased funding for MRWP waivers at the 17^th Annual Mock Testimony session. Ms. Cadet is an active disability advocate, a single mom, and a full-time employee at the Chic-fil-A Corporate office.

3 . Disability Day at the Georgia State Capital Slated for February 21

Show your support for families living with developmental disabilities by attending Disability Day events on February 21. The day starts with a breakfast at the Georgia Depot then leads into a Rally at the State Capital at 11 a.m. and concludes with a luncheon. For a complete schedule of events and to register, please visit www.gcdd.org.

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4. Successful "Conversations that Matter" Series Includes 1,200 Families State-
Wide

“Conversations that Matter,” AADD’s series of state-wide Town Hall meetings, concluded the 2007 – 2008 schedule with a meeting in Roswell, Georgia. The Roswell meeting was attended by more than 225 people who came to learn more about disability and the transition from high school to the workplace. Other town hall neetings in this series took place in Macon, Athens, Decatur, Savannah, Lawrenceville, and Roswell. All totaled, more than 1,200 families participated in the town hall meetings hosted by AADD and sponsored by partners including the Governor’s Council on Developmental Disabilities (presenting sponsor), the Brain and Spinal Cord Injury Trust Commission, RESCare, AADD Board Member Linda Wilson, ARC of Georgia, the Classic Center in Athens, Briggs & Associates, and the Down Syndrome Association of Atlanta.

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5. AADD People & Programs Spotlight: Take Charge Health & Wellness Program

Renyea Colvin, Take Charge Health Coordinator, helps David Patterson, a Take Charge participant, with stretching exercises.

It’s a fact: According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC; 2005) a person living with a disability is more likely to report having fair to poor health than individuals living without disabilities. Studies showed persons with disabilities to have 10% to 50% higher occurrences of diabetes, arthritis, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, and a lack of dental insurance.

In addition, the lack of physical activity among individuals with disabilities is 19% higher in comparison to persons without disabilities. Consequently, obesity effects individuals with disabilities at a higher rate (42%) than those without disabilities (28%) (CDC, 2005).

To address this issue in the Metro Atlanta area, AADD is introducing the Take Charge program.

“Take Charge is a new initiative to promote health and wellness among adolescents and adults with mild to moderate intellectual disabilities. The program is guided by the ‘Steps to Your Health’ curriculum, designed specifically to increase the health knowledge and positive health behaviors of individuals with intellectual disabilities,” said Kai Stewart, AADD director of clinical and social services, Community Services Division.

The program curriculum includes helping participants to identify healthy food choices, increase assertiveness and communication skills, develop strategies to cope with stress, and increase daily exercise and physical activity. During the 8 –10 weekly health sessions, topics include communication, nutrition, diet, decision-making, and exercise. The sessions are delivered in participants’ homes and at multiple sites throughout the Metro Atlanta area by trained health educators.

For more information about the Take Charge program – how you can support the program or discuss participation – contact Kai Stewart, PhD, MPH at 404-881-9777 ext. 202, or kai@aadd.org.

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6. Activities Connection

For information on recreation or education events, click here to visit the “Events” section of our AADD Web site.

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