April 2026

Election season is here! This year, Georgia voters will choose their next Governor, US Senator, US representatives, and many other leaders. These elections matter a lot for people with disabilities.

First come the primary elections. In a primary, voters pick which candidates will represent each political party. Primaries don’t always get as much attention as the big general election — but they are super important. Georgia’s primary election is May 19th.

If disability issues are not part of the conversation now, they may not show up later. Stacey Ramirez of REV UP Georgia explained, “It’s critical that the general election has a pool of candidates that are familiar with disability issues.”

So, who determines who those candidates are and the issues they fight for?

The answer is voters.

Did you know that people with disabilities are one of the largest groups of voters in the country? Research from Rutgers University shows that 1 in 6 people has a disability. When you include people who live with someone who has a disability, that number goes up to 1 in 3!

That is a huge group of voters who have the power to change elections and bring attention to issues that matter to them.

But that power is often not used. “The disability voting bloc is the most ignored,” said Daniel Crimmins.

Crimmins and Ramirez started a group called Crimminz & Associates. With help from the Georgia Council on Developmental Disabilities (GCDD), they lead REV UP Georgia. REV UP stands for:

• Register
• Educate
• Vote
• Use your Power

REV UP’s goal is to help people with disabilities come together, learn about the election process, vote, and have their voices heard.

Voting is one of the most direct ways people can create positive change in their communities. For many people with disabilities, voting is not always easy. Some common barriers include:

• Hard to get to the polls (transportation)
• Confusing information about voting rules and rights
• Feeling like your vote won’t make a difference

In rural areas, these challenges can be even harder. Ramirez and Crimmins are focused on helping people in rural areas better understand the voting process and feel confident participating in it. The goal is for people with disabilities to be seen as leaders in getting out the vote.

That starts at the community level. REV UP has found seven disability leaders across Georgia who are trusted in their local communities. When information comes from someone you know and trust, you are more likely to listen!

These leaders share a flyer called Are You Vote Ready? It provides clear information to help people be active, informed voters. Ramirez shared that checking your registration is an important first step – even if you have voted before. You can check your voter status on the Georgia My Voter website.

REV UP is also holding candidate forums around the state. These are friendly conversations (not debates!) where voters with disabilities can meet candidates, ask questions, and share their experiences. Check the REV UP Georgia Facebook page for details.

They are also using a strategy called vote tripling. Here’s how it works:

• You check your own voter registration.
• Then you call a friend and help them check theirs.
• That friend then calls another person and does the same thing!

“Vote tripling is selective door-to-door — the doors you know will open,” Crimmins said. This kind of peer-to-peer outreach helps information travel further. It also builds stronger connections along the way.

REV UP’s work is about more than one election. It’s about building strong networks where people with disabilities are leading, organizing, and shaping conversations that impact their communities.

Important Election Deadlines

• Last day to register to vote in a primary: April 20
• Last day to apply for an absentee ballot: May 8
• Last day to vote by absentee ballot: May 19
• Primary Election Day: May 19

Voting Resources

Check your registration, polling place, find a sample ballot, and more!

Georgia Secretary of State: Check that your registration is active at https://mvp.sos.ga.gov/s/. This is also where you can find your polling place (it may have changed!), view your sample ballot, and look up early voting locations.

Learn About Candidates

Learn about the candidates and issues (branch.vote or ballotpedia.org/Georgia), make a plan to vote, and share that information with others.

Know Your Rights as a Voter with a Disability

Under federal law, all polling places must be accessible. Here is what you need to know:

You can bring someone to help you vote. This could be a family member, friend, or caregiver. The helper just needs to write their name on your voter certificate. (Note: your boss, a union rep, or a poll worker from your precinct cannot be your helper.)

Helpful tools are available, including:

• Headsets and apps that read the ballot out loud (for people who are visually impaired)
• Magnifying tools to make the ballot easier to see
• Large controls and sip-and-puff devices for people with limited mobility
• Touchscreen voting units that can be used from a wheelchair

Voters with disabilities can go to the front of the line. You do not have to wait in a long line — you can move to the front for the next available booth.

Had a problem voting? You can file an ADA complaint or contact Georgia election officials.

Need help? The Georgia Advocacy Office can help with disability concerns from now through Election Day. Call (404) 885-1234 or (800) 537-2329 and leave a message. Someone will call you back within two business days.

As Georgia’s temperatures rise and summer approaches, families across the state begin searching for ways to enjoy the outdoors. But for many Georgians with intellectual and developmental disabilities (I/DD), planning a day of summer fun often comes with an extra question: Will this activity be accessible?

People with disabilities have worked hard to make more places accessible. Accessible means that everyone can use a space or take part in an activity, no matter their ability. There is still more work to do, but things are getting better!

Finding Fun in South Georgia

Mitzi Proffitt lives in Bulloch County and works with a group called Participant Directed Advocates for Georgia (PDAG). She helps people with disabilities find support and activities.

Mitzi Proffitt (right)Mitzi says that finding accessible things to do near her home is still hard. She and her son have been looking for accessible activities for 30 years!

“When I started thinking about accessible and inclusive things to do for adults, I had to stop and think for a moment, because there really aren’t many options,” said Proffitt. “Unfortunately, there are no set events specifically for this community. Many of us end up traveling somewhere else to find accessible activities.”

For 30 years, Proffitt and her son have looked for accessible activities in their area. Some options she has found include bowling, church events, and ball games. But these are not always planned with people with disabilities in mind.

“What it really comes down to is education,” said Proffitt. “We must help the public understand that accessibility is not just about money—it is about making spaces usable and welcoming for everyone.”

Disability advocates across Georgia are always looking for new summer activities. Jessica Cowell is a person with I/DD who lives in Columbus. She is part of the Georgia Council on Developmental Disabilities (GCDD). Jessica stays very busy in her community and knows lots of great spots!

Jessica CowellHere are some of her favorite accessible places in Columbus:

• Columbus State University – offers arts and science programs that are often made accessible for families
• Columbus Public Library – has programs for kids of all ages, plus a monthly event for people with disabilities
• Springer Opera House – offers the Springer Academy in summer and works hard to be welcoming and inclusive
• Coca-Cola Space Center, Columbus Museum, Oxbow Meadows Learning Center and the National Infantry Museum
• Downtown Columbus – always has events going on!

"Overall, there's a variety of things to do in Columbus for people of all different ages and abilities," Jessica said.

Leslie Kate Thornton lives in St. Marys and is also on the GCDD council. She has cerebral palsy, so accessibility is very important to her. She loves the Georgia coast and knows many great spots there. She says, “Coastal Georgia is known for its beautiful marsh landscapes, historical towns, and relaxed pace of life,” said Thornton. “For people with disabilities and families looking for accessible outings, several destinations along Georgia’s coast are working to make sure everyone can enjoy what the area has to offer.”

Here are some accessible places on the Georgia coast she recommends:

• Jekyll Island Trails – over 20 miles of mostly paved trails through beautiful scenery
• Georgia Sea Turtle Center – has ramps, accessible exhibits, and viewing areas to watch sea turtles being cared for
• St. Marys Waterfront – flat sidewalks, accessible parking, and open spaces
• Dolphin Tours – many tours leave from accessible docks
• Downtown Brunswick – accessible sidewalks, restaurants, and public spaces

Leslie Kate Thornton with a friend using ATVs from All-Terrain GeorgiaThornton says that a program called All-Terrain Georgia is also helping make the state more accessible. They have special chairs that can roll over sand and trails at places like Cumberland Island and Crooked River State Park.

In the mountains near Dahlonega, there is a group called ConnectAbility. They hold events where people with disabilities and their families can make friends, enjoy nature, and be part of the community.

The group was started in 2001 by a woman named Jacqueline Daniel. She saw that people with disabilities needed more activities and support. She wanted to change that!

Jacquelyn Daniel (left) at the 2025 Spirit of Kim Unsung Hero Award Ceremony“Dahlonega is a beautiful location that’s easily accessible from Atlanta and offers stunning natural wonders,” says Daniel. “Providing access to these unique landscapes for people with disabilities improves the experience for everyone. From multiple accessible playgrounds, hiking trails, the Appalachian Trail, and an accessible kayak launch in Downtown Dahlonega, there are lots of opportunities to appreciate the natural beauty of the area.”

ConnectAbility started very small — just one participant and six volunteers. Now, more than 100 people come to their monthly Sidekicks events! They also hold pool parties and sensory-friendly story times throughout the year.

Accessible things to do in Dahlonega include:

• Accessible playgrounds
• Accessible hiking trails and parts of the Appalachian Trail
• An accessible kayak launch in Downtown Dahlonega

The goal of ConnectAbility is to provide a safe and comfortable space for people with I/DD. Their work has not gone unnoticed. Last year, GCDD awarded Daniel the 2025 Spirit of Kim Unsung Hero Award. The award recognized her selfless service and commitment to Georgia’s I/DD community.

“Being recognized with the Spirit of Kim Award is such an honor. Having the opportunity to meet Kim’s mom at the award presentation was so meaningful and drove home the responsibility to uphold the legacy of Kim Person in our work,” said Daniel. “It’s humbling to be recognized by a group of so many people across the state who work tirelessly for people with disabilities.”

From the Georgia coast to the mountains, people all over the state are working hard to make summer fun for everyone. Leaders like Jacqueline Daniel and groups like ConnectAbility show us that accessible activities are growing — and will keep getting better!

Tell Us About Fun Places Near You!

Do you know a fun summer activity near you that is accessible and inclusive? GCDD wants to hear from you! It could be a summer camp, an outdoor adventure, or a community event.

Your ideas might even be featured in GCDD's Making a Difference magazine!

Share your ideas! Fill out this short form.

My name is Martha, and I have a pretty amazing job. I am the first young woman with Down syndrome to work at the Georgia state capitol. Yes, you read that right. The first. And honestly? That is not just a fact. It is a gift.

So what do I actually do all day? Well, for starters, I deliver donuts. To the Governor. To the Lieutenant Governor. I mean, come on. Who gets to do that?! I also help get the House and Senate readers ready, pick up the bills, and even take photographs of the Senate floor for the paperwork crew. Every single task feels like a privilege.

I used to attend Advocacy Days with the Georgia Council on Developmental Disabilities. We'd come to the Capitol to meet our senators and representatives and speak up for the things our community really needs. I always loved going because I had a chance to meet my senators and representatives to let them know about all the big things that the disability community needs help with.

Some of the issues we covered were Medicaid expansion, employment, housing, transportation, education, home and community-based services, direct support professionals, and having support staff for them. We made it clear that these are important services and are something that they could not ignore.

Being a part of Advocacy Days made me realize I wanted to be more involved. I wanted to do something within the Capitol all the time.

My absolute favorite part of the job? Getting the House and Senate readers and going through the bills. I have to keep my opinions to myself. That's just being professional! I take that seriously. And what about being that close to real decisions being made? I love it!

I've gotten to know all 56 Georgia senators personally. My biggest piece of advice when you meet them: just be yourself. Treat them like any other person. And use your leadership skills. That's exactly what I do, and it works every time.

It's not about being famous! For me, I just want to be me.

Because I belong here. And so do you.

Martha Haythorn is a self-advocate and Capitol staffer with the Georgia Senate office. She is also Vice-Chair of the Georgia Council on Developmental Disabilities.