Statewide Independent Living Council of Georgia, Inc.

06/10/2026

This year SILCGA marks 31 years of independent living advocacy in Georgia. Pictured: council members being sworn in with Governor Nathan Deal in 2013, one chapter in three decades of building disability-led organizations across the state. Read our 2024-2025 Annual Report to see how far the movement has come.

06/08/2026

SILCGA was excited to participate in DeafNation conference in Atlanta. The Statewide Independent Living Council of Georgia is dedicated to supporting independent living for all Georgians.

06/02/2026

New Podcast Episode on Emergency Preparedness for people with disabilities!

Tiffany Yearwood, Emergency Management Director for Charlton County, Georgia, joins Accessibility Now to break down what real disaster readiness looks like for people with disabilities. She walks through how to build a personalized go bag, why the 72-hour rule matters more than any generic checklist, and why signing up for your county's voluntary disability registry can be a lifeline before you ever need it. Tiffany also addresses the uncertainty around FEMA's changing role and what Georgia's local emergency management teams are doing to stay prepared. The resources below are a strong starting point — use them to build a plan tailored to your specific needs.

Tiffany Yearwood, Emergency Management Director for Charlton County, Georgia, joins Accessibility Now to break down what real disaster readiness looks like f...

05/20/2026

Meet NCIL’s 2026 Keynote Speakers!

NCIL is proud to announce a few exciting details about this year’s conference.

We’ve got an electrifying line up of speakers and a packed agenda.

Agenda: https://bit.ly/4wfmHDP

Our Keynote Speakers:

- Mia Ives-Rublee (Opening Plenary)
- Kelly Buckland (Awards Luncheon)
- Victor Pineda (Closing Plenary)

Read full speaker bios: https://bit.ly/4dDoUBr

We hope you will join us!

Register: https://bit.ly/4rLhUXj

Image: Three portrait photos appear across top against pale orchid backdrops. Left: Mia Ives-Rublee in a red blazer over a light shirt, seated with hands folded. Center: Kelly Buckland is wearing a white cowboy hat and black jacket, using a motorized wheelchair. Right: Victor Pineda seated in a power wheelchair, wearing a blazer and light shirt, with visible assistive breathing equipment. Text: Keynote Speakers. 2026 Annual Conference on Independent Living. Protect. Persist. Prosper. National Council on Independent Living Logo features a multi-colored fingerprint.

05/11/2026

Gwinnett County became a trend setter on Thursday when county, regional, state and federal officials launched a new app designed to improve mobility for all residents, especially seniors and those

05/08/2026

Our very own Jordan Hall has been a contributing member to an exciting new transportation app made by Gwinnett County Government called G-MAP : Georgia Mobility and Access Planner.

The Georgia Mobility Access Planner, known as G-MAP, is a new app launching in Gwinnett County that helps people with disabilities travel more independently by providing real-time accessibility information before and during a trip. Users complete a brief three-question mobility profile, enter their destination, and receive turn-by-turn directions along with live updates on the accessibility features of their destination. The app also communicates with traffic signals to reduce red lights for users with slower on-time performance and extends crosswalk times for people using mobility devices. A trusted companion feature allows a friend or family member to follow the trip in real time, and at select locations like the Gwinnett Justice Center, the app can guide users with visual impairments directly to their destination inside the building.

Learn more: https://georgia-map.com
Android: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.ibigroup.mobile.otp.its4us.android
iPhone: https://apps.apple.com/us/app/g-map/id6446321525

05/07/2026

Georgia Mobility and Access Planner (GMAP) ribbon cutting

05/05/2026

Nine states are asking a federal court to end the legal requirement that people with disabilities be served in their communities rather than institutions.

The lawsuit challenges a 2024 HHS regulation that enforces the integration mandate under Section 504. Advocates warn that if the states prevail, Medicaid waivers funding community living could no longer be legally required, threatening Olmstead rights for millions of people nationwide.

The right to live in your community should not be up for debate.

Source: Disability Scoop – https://www.disabilityscoop.com/2026/02/02/states-sue-over-right-of-people-with-disabilities-to-live-in-the-community/31838/

04/28/2026

More than 7,800 Georgians are waiting for Medicaid waivers that could keep them out of institutional care.

Georgia DBHDD has proposed restructuring its NOW and COMP waiver planning list into a 3-tier urgency-based system, moving away from a first-come, first-served approach. The proposal still requires final board approval and General Assembly funding before it takes effect.

This is what independent living advocacy is about.

Source: Georgia Recorder / GCDD – https://georgiarecorder.com/2026/01/02/georgia-agency-proposes-changes-to-waiting-list-for-services-for-people-with-disabilities/