Advocating & Stories
Real-life experiences from Georgians with disabilities, their families, and the advocates working to rebalance long-term services and supports.
Why Personal Stories Matter
Behind every waiting-list statistic is a person — someone who wants to live independently, contribute to their community, and build a full life. Sharing these experiences helps lawmakers and the public understand what's at stake when home and community-based supports are underfunded. The Unlock Coalition has always been powered by the voices of those directly affected.
When Georgians with disabilities share their personal stories, the waiting list transforms from a number into a real human experience. Behind each name is a person who wants to live independently, pursue meaningful work, and contribute to their community. These firsthand accounts reveal the daily challenges of navigating a system where home and community-based services are often out of reach. Families describe the emotional toll of watching loved ones wait years for supports that would allow them to thrive. By putting a face to the data, advocates help lawmakers understand what is truly at stake when funding falls short of what is needed.
Advocates across Georgia have found that personal narratives are among the most powerful tools for change. When someone stands before a legislative committee or speaks at a community listening session, their words carry a weight that statistics alone cannot match. These stories highlight the gap between what services exist and what people desperately need to live full, independent lives. The act of speaking out also empowers the storyteller, transforming a feeling of isolation into a sense of purpose. Each shared experience strengthens the collective voice calling for a rebalanced system that prioritizes community-based care over institutional placements.
The Unlock Coalition brings together people with disabilities, family members, and allies who are united by a common goal: ensuring that every Georgian has access to the supports they need to live in their own home and community. Through legislative advocacy days at the Capitol, community events, and online campaigns, coalition members amplify the message that investing in home and community-based services is both a moral imperative and an economic one. When people receive the right supports, they can work, pay taxes, and contribute to their local economies rather than being unnecessarily placed in costly institutional settings. The coalition's strength lies in the diverse voices that make up its membership.
For families navigating Georgia's Medicaid waiver system, the waiting period can feel impossibly long. Parents of children with developmental disabilities often describe the anxiety of planning for a future when they will no longer be able to provide care themselves. Adults with disabilities share the frustration of wanting to work or pursue postsecondary education but lacking the personal support services that would make those goals achievable. These stories are not just about hardship; they are also about resilience, creativity, and the determination to build a good life. By collecting and sharing these experiences, the Unlock campaign ensures that policymakers cannot ignore the human cost of inaction.
Voices from the Community
Advocates, family members, and individuals across Georgia have shared their journeys — the challenges of waiting, the relief of receiving services, and the ongoing fight for a system that works for everyone.
Finding Solidarity at the Capitol
In March 1998, a rally of a few hundred advocates at the Georgia Capitol sparked something powerful. For many, it was the first time they realized they weren't alone — that families across the state were facing the same struggles with waiting lists and institutional care. That sense of solidarity became the foundation of the Unlock Campaign.
The Long Wait for a NOW/COMP Waiver
Families across Georgia have described the emotional and financial toll of waiting years for a NOW/COMP waiver. Without home and community-based supports, many are forced into arrangements that don't reflect their goals or potential. Their stories underscore why reducing waiting lists remains urgent.
ICWP and the Fight for Fair Rates
Advocates in the Independent Care Waiver Program have spoken out about rates that make it nearly impossible to hire and keep qualified personal care attendants. Their firsthand accounts have fueled the push for a rate increase, showing legislators the human cost of inadequate funding.
Success Through Community-Based Living
When individuals transition from institutional settings into the community — often through programs like Money Follows the Person — the transformation can be profound. Advocates have shared stories of newfound independence, employment, and belonging that illustrate what's possible when the system works.
Share Your Story
Your experience can help change minds and shape policy. Whether you're waiting for services, navigating the system, or celebrating a milestone, your voice strengthens the movement.
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