Oct. 1, Athens: “Conversations That Matter” Town Hall Focuses on Defining the Future for Georgians with Developmental Disabilities

MEDIA ADVISORY

All About Developmental Disabilities Hosts Event Focused on Tools and Tips for Life Planning, Employment and Day Service Programs for Those with Developmental Disabilities

WHEN: Thursday, Oct. 1, 2015, 6 p.m. - 8 p.m.

WHERE: Athens Clarke Library, 2025 Baxter Street, Multipurpose Room B, Athens, GA 30606, Phone: (706) 613-3650

WHAT: For Georgians with a developmental disability, planning for the future is crucial to keeping them out of isolation and engaged in society. The Conversations That Matter series give Georgians with developmental disabilities and their families the opportunity to engage in a meaningful conversation about the future. The Town Hall is presented by All About Developmental Disabilities.

Topics covered will include:

• PLANNING: Tools and tips for life planning: What you need to know now to prepare

• TRENDS: Discovering trends in housing, employment, community engagement and funding

• EMPLOYMENT: Issues around employment and day service programs that offer meaningful options for adults with developmental disabilities and bring them out of isolation

• WAIVER SERVICES: What to expect from new definitions and rates for waiver services.

• NETWORKING: Networking with other advocates in your community

• ADVOCACY: Learning about how you can get connected to statewide advocacy efforts.

WHO SHOULD ATTEND?

• Parents and family members of children and adults with developmental disabilities, self-advocates, teachers, school administrators, transition specialists, developmental disabilities professionals, legislators, transition councils, business owners, community leaders.

• This program provides information to help foster collaboration between community members and professionals working on issues related to employment and developmental disabilities.

INTERVIEWS (at event or in advance): Kathy Keeley, Executive Director, AADD, kathy@aadd.org, Cellphone: 404-219-7620

Additional Upcoming Conversations That Matter:

• Macon, Oct. 5

• Gainesville, Oct. 22

• Columbus, Oct. 27

• Albany, Nov. 5

Register: http://salsa3.salsalabs.com/o/50972/p/salsa/event/common/public/?event_KEY=8326

About All About Developmental DisabilitiesAll About Developmental Disabilities (AADD) is a Georgia non-profit organization dedicated to providing family support, advocacy and training opportunities for individuals and families living with developmental disabilities. Developmental disabilities are defined as severe chronic intellectual and/or physical disabilities that limit three or more critical functional abilities. Examples include Down syndrome, cerebral palsy, spina bifida, autism disorders, fetal alcohol disorders and intellectual disabilities. For more information, go to www.AADD.org or call us at (404) 881-9777.

Contacts: Sarah Douglas, Leff & Associates, (678) 521-5289, Sarah@leffassociates.com

Mitch Leff, Leff & Associates, (404) 861-4769, mitch@leffassociates.com