Citizen Advocacy of Atlanta & DeKalb, Inc.

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Citizen Advocacy of Atlanta & DeKalb, Inc. is a private, nonprofit, 501(c)(3) organization, established by the Georgia Advocacy Office in the 1980s; becoming independent and incorporated in 1991. We provide protection and advocacy to people who have developmental disabilities by initiating and supporting one-to-one Citizen Advocacy relationships. Six other Citizen Advocacy offices are located throughout Georgia. We are a diverse, community-based organization. Local people make up our Board of Directors and staff.

 

Priorities


The priorities of Citizen Advocacy of Atlanta & DeKalb, Inc. in initiating Citizen Advocacy relationships are:

 

  • to protect individuals with developmental disabilities from and to pursue solutions for incidents of abuse, neglect and social exclusion

 

  • to advocate on behalf of individuals labeled as
    developmentally disabled for an integrated education in their own neighborhoods

 

  • to advocate on behalf of individuals with
    developmental disabilities to live in the community and to avoid institutionalization

 

  • to advocate on behalf of individuals with
    developmental disabilities who have other human and legal rights concerns, i.e. financial entitlements, guardianship, child custody, contracts/ property
Approach
 
     Ordinary citizens with specific selection, orientation, follow-along and support can and will, if asked, become citizen advocates, providing vigorous and powerful protection and advocacy to their neighbors who have developmental disabilities. This approach has the dual effect of providing immediate solutions for current situations and contributing to the process of long-term societal change.

      In order to avoid false assumptions, change negative preconceptions, and achieve fundamental social change for persons with developmental disabilities, people in the local community need to come to know, identify with, and ally themselves to people in their area who have disabilities, becoming involved with their situations, helping to create solutions, and developing long-term relationships with them.