Lauren Lee | September 17, 2026 - Atlanta, GA

On August 28, CIDI welcomed a bipartisan delegation of congressional staff representing the offices of U.S. Senators Jon Ossoff and Raphael Warnock, alongside staff from numerous Georgia congressional districts. The visit was coordinated in partnership with Georgia Tech's Office of Institute Relations Federal Relations team, providing attendees with a firsthand view of the critical role federal partnerships play in helping Georgians with disabilities pursue education, work, and community participation. 

The delegation toured CIDI's facilities, including the Tools for Life assistive technology labs and the Braille production unit. Throughout the visit, staff members explored a variety of assistive technologies designed to support communication, mobility, daily living, aging in place, vision and hearing access, and educational success. 

During the visit, CIDI Executive Director Bill Curtis-Davidson highlighted a message that resonates across political affiliations: accessibility needs exist in every corner of our state. 

“Nearly every family is touched by disability, aging, injury, or changing access needs at some point in life,” said Curtis-Davidson. “As technology continues to transform education, employment, healthcare, and public services, ensuring those innovations remain accessible is essential to helping all Georgians participate fully in society.”

CIDI’s real world impact in the lives of Georgians with disabilities cannot be overstated. Through Tools for Life, for instance, thousands of Georgians receive information, device demonstrations, loans, and other services that support education, employment, and independent living. 

Visitors also toured the largest braille production facility in the state of Georgia, which produces millions of braille pages and thousands of tactile graphics each year to support students and readers both in Georgia and across the country. These programs demonstrate how collaboration among federal agencies, the State of Georgia, Georgia Tech, schools, employers, and community organizations can create meaningful outcomes for people with disabilities and older adults.

This visit highlights a shared, cross-aisle commitment among elected officials and their staff to understanding the needs of all Georgians. As CIDI continues our mission to improve the human condition through accessibility, partnerships with policymakers across the political spectrum will remain essential to helping Georgians of all abilities thrive. 

Special thanks to the offices of Senators Jon Ossoff and Raphael Warnock, and to the offices of Representatives Rick W. Allen, Buddy Carter, Mike Collins, Clay Fuller, Brian Jack, Barry Loudermilk, Lucy McBath, and Nikema Williams.