The GCDD Storytelling Project
In 2018 and 2019, the Georgia Council of Developmental Disabilities (GCDD) teamed up with talented writers and photographers who set out across the state to collect some great stories about people with developmental disabilities. The Storytelling Project was born.
Since 2018 we have collected 100 stories for our Telling Our Stories project (click here to view those stories), created the first season of our Hidden Voices podcast, and shot a short documentary film 6,000 Waiting (now available for screening). The year 2020 was quite different for Georgia, from social distancing to ‘back open,’ the residents of Georgia with and without disabilities have adjusted their lives to new social rules. The Storytelling Project responded with season two of the podcast Hidden Voices focusing on the experience of social distancing. And also with our Over the Wire video project, a collecting of stories virtually and dispersed virtually. In 2021 we are introducing Treasure Maps: The Georgia Storytelling Roadshow, a pop-up, interactive, drive-in theatre production.
A Seat at the Table - A Transformative Conversation Around Equity, Disability, and Support
GCDD announces A Seat at the Table: A Transformative Conversation Around Equity, Disability, and Support on February 6 and 27, 2024. These two gatherings will bring together art, dinner and discussion about the value of equitable opportunities and supports in the lives of Georgians with developmental disabilities and their families. It is the latest work of the GCDD Storytelling Project led by L'Arche Atlanta. Guests will be able to take part in this event in person at the Georgia Public Broadcasting studios in Atlanta Georgia on the evening of Tuesday, February 6 or virtually via Zoom on Tuesday, February 27th.
Working alongside GCDD andL’Arche are Georgia based Equitable Dinners and Out of Hand Theatre. Equitable Dinners has paired with Out of Hand Theatre and they both have years of expertise creating meaningful conversations and change around educational racial disparity issues through the combination of art and dialogue and bringing people of diverse backgrounds together in a facilitated conversation about complex issues. This is their first event focused on disability.
Learn more and register to be a storyteller/table lead at www.bit.ly/StorytellersRegistration
If you are a member of the disability community and would like to have a seat at the table at the February 6 IN-PERSON event in Atlanta register here.
If you are a member of the disability community and would like to have a seat at the table at the February 27 VIRTUAL event register here .
Treasure Maps: Macon
Treasure Maps: Macon, the newest iteration of The Storytelling Project, a partnership between the Georgia Council on Developmental Disabilities, L’Arche Atlanta, and StoryMuse, will return to Macon this fall. Be a part of the fun here.
6,000 Waiting
Documentary Film
Premiering January 2021, the film follows three Georgians with developmental disabilities as they navigate Georgia’s daunting Medicaid waiver system. Find out more about the film here.
Over the Wire
Video Collection
GCDD would love you to send us a recording of yourself telling your story. The video submissions will be turned into short (30 second) social media clips. Find out how to submit your video here.
Hidden Voices
Podcasts
GCDD created a 7-episode podcast, called Hidden Voices, spotlighting the stories of people with developmental disabilities and their families. Click here to listen to those podcasts.