ATL Standard

ATLANTA (Feb. 6, 2024) — Sen. Sally Harrell (D-Atlanta) will hold a press conference tomorrow with self-advocates, family members, and service providers for adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD) to urge the Georgia General Assembly to fully support Georgians with IDD. The event will take place on Wednesday, February 7, 2024, at 9:00 a.m. on the South Steps of the Georgia State Capitol in Atlanta.

The purpose of the press conference is to address the need for increased funding and support for adults with IDD in Georgia. Although progress has been made in recent years, Georgia still lags behind other states in terms of funding for IDD services. Additionally, the 2011 Department of Justice Settlement Agreement, which aimed to empty institutions and establish a comprehensive network of community services and supports for adults with IDD, has been in effect for 12 years, far beyond its original 5-year timeframe.

During the press conference, the IDD community will outline the work that still needs to be done to fully support adults with IDD in Georgia. The event is open to the public, and members of the media are encouraged to attend.

According to Sen. Sally Harrell, "We need to prioritize the needs of adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities in Georgia. It is crucial that we allocate adequate funding and resources to support their integration and inclusion in our communities."

For media inquiries and to confirm attendance, journalists are requested to contact Sydney Horwitz at the Senate Press Office by email at Sydney.Horwitz@senate.ga.gov.

Sen. Sally Harrell represents the 40th Senate District, which includes portions of DeKalb, Fulton, and Gwinnett Counties. She can be reached at 404.463.2260 or sally.harrell@senate.ga.gov for further information or inquiries.