ATLANTA – The Georgia Council on Developmental Disabilities (GCDD) welcomes
public participation and comment from individuals and agencies about issues related to people with
developmental disabilities and their families at its next Council meeting scheduled July 13-14.
Council meetings are open to the public for GCDD to receive feedback about the work the agency is
doing, according to a news release.
Anyone, the general public, advocates, agency representatives, private or public providers, etc. are
welcomed and encouraged to comment. The July Council meeting will be virtual. Comments made at
the GCDD meeting are limited to a maximum of three minutes. While the comments are not
addressed during the meeting, they are discussed and addressed by the Council’s Executive
Committee, who thoroughly reviews and discusses all public comments after each meeting.
Information is then given to Council members to be used in planning for future Council supported
activities. At the Chairperson’s discretion, individual’s making public comment will receive a written
acknowledgement of his or her participation from the Council chairperson.
To encourage public comment, the organization has developed guidelines to facilitate this important
activity. “Public Comment” is the opportunity for non-Council members to officially address the
Georgia Council on Developmental Disabilities. Individuals making public comment may express
opinions or bring issues of concern related to the delivery of services to individuals with
developmental disabilities and their families along with other issues and concerns.
Public comment may include, but is not limited to, opportunities for improvements to the systems that service individuals with developmental disabilities and their families and specific issues about the Council
and its strategic plan. Examples of comments made to the Council include but are not limited to
compliments or complaints about how Council work has addressed issues and how Council
supported initiatives have influenced community members’ lives, and how GCDD’s advocacy has
advanced public policy.
At GCDD’s July meeting, anyone can attend the general sessions on Thursday and Friday, but the
committee meetings are closed to the public. Participants will be able to make comments Friday, July
14 th . The time is to be determined. Written comments are also welcomed and should be limited to
one typed page and can be mailed to the GCDD Executive Director D’Arcy Robb: 200 Piedmont
Avenue SE, Suite 426, 4th Floor, Atlanta, GA 30334.
During the public comment portion of the meeting, the Chairperson or staff member will call on
individuals and participants who wish to give public comment. During Council meetings, guests are
limited to making comments only during the Public Comment portion of the Council meeting. The
Public may not participate in the conversation taking place among Council members and staff unless
the Chairperson asks for input from the audience. At this time, the Chairperson will recognize any
guests who wish to make public comment.
Each speaker will clearly state their full name and county of residence. All public comments should be factual and should not include personally identifiable information in order to maintain confidentiality. Written comments may accompany verbal comments. Speakers should avoid any use of inappropriate language or personal attacks on individuals. The Chairperson may end the individual’s comment time if he/she feels it is appropriate.
Speakers should be aware that individual Council members are encouraged not to respond directly
to testimony delivered during the public comment section of the Council meeting.
To register to attend the two-day Council meeting, click the links below:
Day 1:
9:30 a.m. July 13
https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZYsf-murzsuGd0hlxte7lecHtIXJF7Iu-M6
Day 2:
9 a.m. July 14
https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZYkduqtpz4uGd0QgV3AJ4UfispeYwsJg1Is
After registering for each meeting, registrants will receive a confirmation email containing
information about joining the meeting.
The Georgia Council on Developmental Disabilities is the state’s leader in advancing public policy on behalf of persons with developmental disabilities. For more information about public comments, contact the Georgia Council on Developmental Disabilities at (404) 657-2126 or toll free (888) 275-4233, e-mail info@gcdd.org or visit www.gcdd.org.
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