| 1 | 1 | | 25 LC 112 2861 |
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| 2 | 2 | | Senate Resolution 125 |
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| 3 | 3 | | By: Senators Walker III of the 20th, Brass of the 6th, Anavitarte of the 31st, Goodman of the |
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| 4 | 4 | | 8th, Kirkpatrick of the 32nd and others |
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| 5 | 5 | | A RESOLUTION |
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| 6 | 6 | | Recognizing and commending the Statewide Independent Living Council of Georgia; and |
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| 7 | 7 | | 1 |
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| 8 | 8 | | for other purposes.2 |
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| 9 | 9 | | WHEREAS, Statewide Independent Living Council of Georgia (SILCGA) is a private3 |
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| 10 | 10 | | nonprofit corporation that is governed by people from across the state with all types of4 |
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| 11 | 11 | | disabilities; and5 |
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| 12 | 12 | | WHEREAS, SILCGA was created through amendments to the Rehabilitation Act of 1973,6 |
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| 13 | 13 | | which require states, including Georgia, to establish Statewide Independent Living Councils7 |
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| 14 | 14 | | to provide guidance for the development and expansion of independent living programs; and8 |
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| 15 | 15 | | WHEREAS, the role of SILCGA is to identify any societal barriers to independent living and9 |
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| 16 | 16 | | to collaborate with its Centers for Independent Living, Vocational Rehabilitation Services,10 |
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| 17 | 17 | | and other related entities to remove those barriers and increase supports and needed services;11 |
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| 18 | 18 | | and12 |
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| 19 | 19 | | WHEREAS, SILCGA is also charged with developing the State Plan for Independent Living13 |
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| 20 | 20 | | as required by federal law, and that plan is in place for 2025-2027; and14 |
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| 21 | 21 | | S. R. 125 |
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| 22 | 22 | | - 1 - 25 LC 112 2861 |
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| 23 | 23 | | WHEREAS, SILCGA's Centers for Independent Living, staffed by individuals with |
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| 24 | 24 | | 15 |
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| 25 | 25 | | disabilities, provide resources to individuals in their communities; and16 |
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| 26 | 26 | | WHEREAS, SILCGA's activities include sponsoring public meetings and hearings for17 |
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| 27 | 27 | | educational and outreach efforts so as to promote and provide information to the public, state18 |
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| 28 | 28 | | agencies, and local organizations as well as to individuals; and19 |
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| 29 | 29 | | WHEREAS, SILCGA also conducts studies and research relevant to the needs of individuals20 |
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| 30 | 30 | | with disabilities; and21 |
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| 31 | 31 | | WHEREAS, SILCGA's mission includes elevating people with disabilities into leadership22 |
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| 32 | 32 | | roles when possible; increasing positive perceptions of people with disabilities; providing23 |
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| 33 | 33 | | information so individuals can be informed and proactive on issues; assuring use of personal24 |
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| 34 | 34 | | assistance services; promoting visitable housing; funding to retrofit housing to become more25 |
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| 35 | 35 | | accessible; advancing accessible public transit; ensuring equal opportunities to education;26 |
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| 36 | 36 | | improving access to quality healthcare and insurance; increasing access to technology; and27 |
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| 37 | 37 | | expanding availability of information sources, including alternative formats and interpreter28 |
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| 38 | 38 | | services.29 |
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| 39 | 39 | | NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE SENATE that the members of this body30 |
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| 40 | 40 | | recognize and commend the Statewide Independent Living Council of Georgia for its service31 |
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| 41 | 41 | | to Georgians living with disabilities and their families.32 |
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| 42 | 42 | | BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Secretary of the Senate is authorized and directed33 |
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| 43 | 43 | | to make an appropriate copy of this resolution available for distribution to the Statewide34 |
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| 44 | 44 | | Independent Living Council of Georgia.35 |
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| 45 | 45 | | S. R. 125 |
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| 46 | 46 | | - 2 - |
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