Our Focus

The Unlock Campaign focuses primarily on people with physical and developmental disabilities. We believe Georgia must rebalance its system of long-term services and supports — spending fewer dollars on institutional care and more on Home and Community Based supports.

Our goal is to eliminate or reduce waiting lists in Georgia for all home and community-based supports, so that every Georgian has the opportunity to live with dignity in the setting of their choice.

The Unlock the Waiting Lists campaign began as a small but determined movement of families and self-advocates who recognized that too many Georgians with disabilities were waiting far too long for the community-based services they needed to live full, independent lives. Inspired by national momentum and a shared belief that everyone deserves the opportunity to contribute to their communities, these advocates came together to demand change. What started as conversations at the Georgia Capitol has grown into a sustained, grassroots effort that continues to push for meaningful rebalancing of long-term supports and services across the state.

At the heart of this campaign is a simple but powerful vision: that every Georgian with a disability should have the freedom to live, work, learn, and thrive in their own community rather than being forced into institutional settings. The waiting lists for Medicaid waivers and other essential supports represent thousands of individual stories of people whose lives are on hold. By raising awareness and advocating for increased investment in home and community-based services, the campaign works to ensure that public dollars follow the person, supporting independence, employment, education, and genuine inclusion for all.

The campaign thrives on the energy and dedication of advocates across Georgia who share their personal stories, attend legislative days at the Capitol, and build connections within their communities. These efforts have helped shape the state's disability agenda, drawing attention to the urgent need for updated waiver rates, expanded access to services, and a true rebalancing of resources away from institutional care. Through coalition building, listening tours, and ongoing advocacy, the movement continues to grow, reminding policymakers that the people waiting for services are not just numbers on a list, but valued members of communities across the state.