Election 2026: GCDD Hosts Annual Candidate Forum
The Georgia Council on Developmental Disabilities (GCDD), along with partners the Georgia Advocacy Office (GAO), Sangha Unity Network, and REV UP Georgia, will host the 2026 Candidate Forum on disability issues at 6:00 p.m. Thursday, September 17, 2026 virtually via Zoom.
The purpose of the 2026 GCDD Candidate Forum is to invite individuals who are running for public office to speak on issues of importance to Georgia’s disability community. Georgians with intellectual and developmental disabilities(I/DD), their families, and community members will have the opportunity to hear from candidates running for public office. Affordable health care, educational opportunities, voting access, and more continue to present challenges for Georgians with disabilities.
People with disabilities are the largest minority voting bloc in the country. A 2024 survey released by Easterseals stated that there were potentially 37 million adults with disabilities who were eligible to vote. Sadly, many are overlooked by candidates running for office. According to RevUp Georgia, there are 8.2 million registered voters (active + inactive) in Georgia. Approximately 650,000 people with disabilities in Georgia are of voting age. Family and loved ones can double or triple their impact, with nearly 20% of voters having a “stake” in disability issues.
“At GCDD, we want for candidates seeking office to better understand how their policy decisions will ultimately affect Georgians with disabilities,” said D’Arcy Robb, Executive Director of GCDD. “It is important for voters with disabilities to be vocal during the election cycles so that candidates are aware that the disability community represents a large voting group in the state. We are looking forward to the Candidate Forum to both show the power of the disability community and learn from the candidates about their disability platforms.”
As of August 14, 2026, the individuals who have been invited to participate include the candidates for offices of Governor, Lieutenant Governor, Secretary of State, Insurance Commissioner, Attorney General, Labor Commissioner, State Superintendent of Schools, and US Senator for Georgia.
In addition, attendees will have the opportunity to learn about voting accessibility and what to expect when they go to the polls this November.
Resources for voters with disabilities are provided by RevUp Georgia, including guide lists to make sure people with disabilities and their families are prepared. The guide is available on RevUp’s website.
For more information about the event and to register to attend, visit GCDD’s website.
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