© Photos by Ryan Johnson
The Arc Georgia works alongside people with intellectual and developmental disabilities to promote and protect the human rights for all and actively support full inclusion and participation in the community throughout their lifetimes.
The Arc Georgia Releases Film Capturing Importance of Power at the Polls for People with Disabilities
ATLANTA – Voting is a fundamental right. Participation in our democracy is critical for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD) and people of color with IDD, but voting rights are in jeopardy and the voting power of these populations are devalued in our society.
In honor of Black History Month, The Arc Georgia is proud to release the compelling short film “Georgia’s Grassroots Connections.” Through the voices of strong disability rights allies, the new film highlights the importance of the disability community in rural Georgia and beyond gaining power at the polls.
“People with IDD and people of color with IDD are key constituents in determining the future of our world for generations to come,” said Shannon Mattox, State Director of The Arc Georgia. “With this film, The Arc Georgia and its Grassroots Connectors reflect on the legacy of African Americans who fought and died for the right to vote. In the disability community, it is our responsibility to ensure that legacy is carried on through voter registration, education on the issues, and showing up at the polls in person or through mail-in and absentee ballots.”
Georgia is at the center of a bitter voting rights battle, disproportionately preventing marginalized people from making their opinions and their priorities count. People with IDD and people of color with IDD have a lot at stake right now and our film “Georgia’s Grassroots Connections” captures the urgency of the moment and paints a clear picture of what we need to do, now.
The Arc Georgia has supported people with IDD in the state of Georgia since 1952, and continues to develop programs, and advocate for public policy in several areas pertinent to the IDD community, highlighting voting rights.
Mattox, Stancil Tootle, James Butler, Janet Stuart, Jessica Mathis, Gaylon Tootle, and Lee Jones are featured in the film. They are Grassroot Connectors who volunteer their time in their communities knocking on doors, reaching out to non-voters with disabilities, hosting and organizing voting related events, and creating power at the polls among the disability community.
AME CHURCH V. KEMP
https://www.aclu.org/press-releases/plain-language-press-release-ame-church-v-kemp
Three big disability rights groups in Georgia yesterday joined other groups that are fighting against a Georgia voting law. The groups are: The Arc Georgia (an office of The Arc of the United States), Georgia ADAPT, and the Georgia Advocacy Office (GAO). These groups all fight for disability rights. They all work to help people with disabilities vote. There are many other groups fighting this new Georgia voting law. This is the first time that disability groups are fighting this law too.
ABESENTEE VOTING APPLICATION
Georgia’s November Elections are coming quickly. Register voters can already apply for an absentee ballot at My Voter Page: https://www.mvp.sos.ga.gov/MVP/mvp.do
HOW TO VOTE IN GEORGIA
The Arc Georgia is partnering with the Southern Poverty Law Center (SPLC) to educate our community on the changes in our voting laws for the 2021 elections. Visit the SPLC website to learn more about “How to Vote in Georgia”
Click here for the SPLC voting resource website: www.splcenter.org/how-to-vote-GA
