UNLOCK THE WAITING LISTS!

Unlock The Waiting Lists! Campaign
2 Peachtree St NW 

Suite 26-246
Atlanta, GA 30303
(888) 275-4233

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History of Unlock the Waiting Lists!

Inspired by a sense of solidarity found at a rally of a few hundred advocates at the Georgia Capitol in March of 1998, a few advocates decided to attend the “A Key of Our Own” conference training in New Orleans to hear about a growing national movement to shine light on the challenge of waiting lists for aging and disability supports. Some of the original delegates included Grace Covington-Fricks  (UAP, TFCC), Sarita Reddy  (UAP, Advocacy Alliance, Parent), Andrew Hales (Georgia Council on Aging), Catherine Stefanavage  (Advocacy Alliance, Parent), Mark Johnson (Shepherd, Independent Living networks)  Beth Tumlin, (Georgia ARC Network, People First, AA, Parent), and Carol Jones (Mark’s attendant/Shepherd volunteer). With your support, since then Unlock has focused its advocacy efforts primarily for people with physical and developmental disabilities. However, the goal of this Campaign continues to be to eliminate and/or reduce waiting lists in Georgia for all home and community-based services that support people with disabilities. Our goals include:

• Bring together stake holders from the different disability groups throughout Georgia to work together:  i.e.,  intellectual disabilities and other developmental disabilities; physical disabilities and spinal cord/brain injuries; and the disabled who need in-home support to avoid unnecessary institutionalization

• Create a “partnership”  between these individuals, their families, and their advocates with providers, governmental leaders and agencies, and legislators to address Georgia's challenges,

• Provide a focus, with consistent and successful strategies which can be used throughout the state,

• Bring media attention and public awareness to the critical needs of individuals and their families, without which there will continue to be little priority and little funding.