Georgia Advocacy Office

⚖️ Supported Decision-Making Webinar Series-TODAY⏰
💻 Get Registered NOW!
Join a new Legal Community of Practice for a free webinar on Supported Decision-Making—a less restrictive alternative to guardianship. Learn tools, strategies, and best practices to better support individuals with disabilities.
📅 May 7, 2026
⏰ 12:00–1:15 PM
💻 Free & virtual
🔗 Learn more + register: idecidega.circle.so

⚖️ Supported Decision-Making Webinar Series!
Join a new Legal Community of Practice for a free webinar on Supported Decision-Making—a less restrictive alternative to guardianship. Learn tools, strategies, and best practices to better support individuals with disabilities.
📅 May 7, 2026
⏰ 12:00–1:15 PM
💻 Free & virtual
🔗 Learn more + register: idecidega.circle.so

Join GAO and Atlanta Legal Aid Society, Inc. this Thursday May 7th at noon. Register Today!

The Georgia Advocacy Office, Southern Center for Human Rights , and White & Case LLP have reached an agreement with DBHDD to reduce how long people wait in jail for psychiatric evaluations and competency restoration services.

For too long, people with mental illness and developmental disabilities have been stuck in jail—often for months or even over a year—waiting for care they are legally entitled to.

This agreement sets clear timelines, accountability, and a path toward faster access to needed services.
👉 Read more: www.thegao.org

Do you or someone you know have a child or teen who has been denied essential mental and behavioral health services by the state? GAO has filed a class action lawsuit on behalf of Medicaid eligible children who experience mental illness and are having difficulty accessing community services. We want to hear your story! Please call GAO at 404-885-1234.

🚀The I Decide Georgia Circle Community has launched!
📖Learn by doing! Check out the interactive courses on Supported Decision-Making.
🛠 Build skills step by step and put them into action.
🙋‍♂️Connect with families, supporters & professionals
Join Us Today →

Welcome to I DECIDE Georgia | I DECIDE GA Explore Welcome to I DECIDE Georgia space in I DECIDE GA

Heads up, voters: the deadline to register to vote or change an address is Oct. 6 for the upcoming municipal elections.

Cities across the state will elect their leaders. One statewide race for the Public Service Commission is also on the ballot. Election Day is Nov. 4.

Individuals who are at least 17 1/2 years old, United States citizens, and residents of Georgia and the county in which they live are eligible to register.

Voters may fill out a voter registration application and mail the completed and signed application to their county voter registration office.

The application requires a copy of an ID to be included. To view the application, visithttps://sos.ga.gov/sites/default/files/forms/GA_VR_APP_2019.pdf

Individuals can register online if they have a valid driver’s license or Georgia identification card. To register online, visit https://mvp.sos.ga.gov/s/olvr-home.

College students can update their voter registration to their college address. They can also vote absentee and should visit their home county’s voter registration office website for more information.

To check your voter registration status or update your address, visit https://mvp.sos.ga.gov/s/.

sos.ga.gov

At GAO we believe in supporting self-advocacy. Youth Ambassador Derek Heard is taking his advocacy to the next level as he produces a documentary on the power of the disability vote. Check out his trailer and follow the project to learn more.

Doodling for Democracy - Film and Storytelling | Seed&Spark Derek's story is a roadmap for how to grow voting champions from people who have felt left out of the democratic process. Your support will make it possible for Derek's inspirational story, Doodling for Democracy, to bring democracy to life for them and for all of us.

Georgia’s DD Network is calling on Georgia’s disability community, including people with developmental disabilities to contact their state and federal representatives, letting them know how these cuts would impact their lives.

Teresa Heard, from Dougherty County said, “The Georgia Advocacy Office (GAO) has been a champion of our family for several years. There is no question about the importance of the work done by GAO. They brought so many people into our lives who are part of the grassroots network of support that has helped our family thrive.

Georgians with disabilities concerned with federal budget cuts ATLANTA - Georgia families are concerned federal budget cuts may affect programs that serve Georgians with disabilities.

Prevent FOMO, Sign Up Today!
https://bit.ly/STFMacon2025