1. What do you do?
I am the Director of Public Policy at the Georgia Council on Developmental Disabilities (GCDD). Our mission is to bring about social and policy changes that promote opportunities for the wide spectrum of diverse people with developmental disabilities and their families to live, learn, work, play, and worship in their communities.
GCDD is one of 55 "DD Councils" that exist in every U.S. state and territory. We were created out of the Developmental Disabilities Act and operate to ensure that people with disabilities are able to live the lives they choose in their communities. On the policy team we work sort of like lobbyists, where we go to the Capitol to advocate for disability policy. However, we are distinctly different from lobbyists because we are federally funded.
Most of the time, I provide research and support for legislation, but I never explicitly tell legislators to vote for it. I also manage a series of federal grants that support disability advocacy work, including the grants that support inclusive post-secondary education programs like Georgia Tech EXCEL.
2. What's the coolest part of your job?
The coolest part of my job is hosting Advocacy Days. GCDD hosts three per year. At these events, we introduce people in the community who care about disability issues to their legislators. This connection allows them to advocate for issues on our policy agenda and engage with the legislative process more meaningfully.
The highlight of Advocacy Days for me is meeting Georgia Tech alumni from our inclusive post-secondary program, Georgia Tech EXCEL. I got into disability work because of my time volunteering at EXCEL as a student, and now I work for the organization that helps make EXCEL possible. It always feels like a full-circle moment when I get to hang out with these Yellow Jackets at the Capitol.
3. Why are you passionate about it?
I am passionate about my work because disability rights are human rights. GCDD's work is crucial to maintaining civil and humanitarian rights for all Georgians, and I am grateful to the Georgia Council for entrusting me with this important job.
4. Which skills from your IAC degree have helped you be successful in this career?
Learning how to write a policy memo concisely has been key to my work. I will never forget Dr. Barke saying, "I'm letting you write a two-page policy memo, but, for future reference, legislators don't have time to read two whole pages." He was absolutely right. The ability to distill complex policy issues into easily digestible content is crucial to my work.
5. What's your #1 tip for students and alumni interested in your field?
Come to the Capitol! Figure out what you care about, find people who care about the same thing, and speak with your legislator about this issue. Many people don't realize that the state Capitol is open to the public and that legislators love to hear from their constituents. You can make a difference with just a short trip to downtown Atlanta!
Charlotte Rose Densmore graduated with a B.S. in Public Policy in 2020. Explore more IAC alumni careers here!
