Photo by Ryan Johnson

Join the UNLOCK! Coalition for a REV-UP LEGISLATIVE RALLY  

We will learn about the UNLOCK! Legislative Agenda, Advocacy Days & other coalition events, coalition building, and how to get more involved in policy issues affecting those with disabilities, their loved ones and our communities!  We will meet at our usual spot across from the Gold Dome:

Central Presbyterian Church, 201 Washington Street, S.W.

REMOTE VIDEO CONFERENCE SITES:  To broaden our outreach to advocates across the state, we are taking applications for those interested in hosting a remote site to video conference into the REV-UP Legislative Rally.  See the registration form for more information and/or email Stacey Ramirez, sramirez@thearc.org

Requirements of a remote site:

• Internet/WiFi is required for video conferencing
• At least 80 miles from the State Capital (206 Washington Street)
• Venue must be accessible
• Efforts to invite wide type of participants such as: individuals with disabilities, caregivers/parents of people with disabilities, professionals, policymakers, businesspeople, general public, etc.

The UNLOCK! campaign advocates with Georgians with disabilities so they and their families can live full lives and contribute to Georgia communities and the Georgia economy. We believe Georgia must rebalance its system of long-term services and supports, so that fewer dollars are spent on institutional care and more dollars are invested into Home and Community Based supports.

UNLOCK! PRINCIPLES

Individuals with disabilities should have the opportunity to live full, self-determined lives. This means they want the chance:

…to be employed

• in regular workplaces – not in settings with only other workers with disabilities
• earning the same wages as people without disabilities
• with access to supported or customized employment services

…to have a real home

• in apartments or houses in a community that they’ve chosen
• with the opportunity to live in communities that are inclusive of residents with and without disabilities
• with the opportunity for ownership or control of the lease
• alone or with others that they’ve chosen
• where they decide who visits and when
• without the threat of losing that home if they didn’t comply with a treatment plan

…to be engaged in their communities with family and friends

• who understand and appreciate their gifts and contributions
• with access to an array of educational and leisure pursuits
• able to go to a full range of locations and activities that they’ve chosen

…to have control over how they spend their time

• with adequate information so that they make informed choices from an array of meaningful options
• with a schedule of daily activities based on their personal priorities, interests, and contributions
• choosing when and what to eat, and how to spend their time

…to make their own choices like anyone else

• choosing where to live, who to marry, how to vote, and exercising all other legal rights as an adult
• making their own decisions regarding medical treatment
• receiving assistance through Supported Decision Making –desired support and advice from family and friends – rather than having others make their decisions through guardianship
• because over-reliance on formal systems of substituted decision-making like guardianship can hinder or prevent inclusion, self- determination and community integration.