Developmental Disabilities Awareness Day

Over 100 individuals came to Tallahassee to celebrate Developmental Disabilities Awareness Day 2009 at the Capitol on Tuesday, March 24. Events included a press conference with Lt. Governor Jeff Kottkamp and over a dozen exhibit tables featuring informational items important to individuals with disabilities and their families. Lt. Governor Kottkamp told the crowd of over 100 who gathered on the second floor rotunda in the Capitol that he and Governor Charlie Crist support the needs of people with developmental disabilities and will do all they can to see that services are not cut.   

Florida’s People Florida’s Promise

It was freezing cold, but that didn’t stop over 35 people from showing up at the Capitol to ask lawmakers for more dollars for human services programs. Shivering at times, several people in the crowd held up signs reading “SOS – Save Our Services for Florida’s most Vulnerable”, and in a plug for raising the cigarette tax, one women displayed her feelings with a poster proclaiming - “No Butts About It - Reduce Healthcare Risks and Costs”. 

ARC Rally

Letter from Director

Self Advocates are on the Move

The numbers of Florida’s self advocates have increased dramatically thanks to a grant from the Florida Developmental Disabilities Council. The Council’s grassroots self-advocacy project, begun in 2007, successfully assisted individuals with disabilities in developing ten self-advocacy groups around Florida. The project developed a “Tool Kit”, which was designed to be the foundation for training and technical assistance. Leaders from each of the sites participated in a two-day intensive Self Advocacy Institute Training workshop. 

FDDC & FDOA Fund Accessible Ramp for Tallahassee YMCA

Individuals with disabilities who use a wheelchair or other mobility devices are now be able to access the pool at the YMCA in Tallahassee, Florida thanks to the joint efforts of the Florida Developmental Disabilities Council (FDDC) and the Florida Disabled Outdoors Association (FDOA).

Grassroots Members Spread the Message

During the past decade in Florida, disability advocacy groups have grown increasingly influential - thanks to the collaborative efforts of disparate groups who share the same policy goals, and who have been influential in bringing the faces and voices of individuals with disabilities to the attention of Florida’s policymakers.

Dare to Dream

During the 2008 National Association on Councils on Developmental Disabilities
Annual Conference in Milwaukee, participants met a courageous and talented young man, LeDerick Horne. LeDerick gripped the hearts and minds of the audience as he shared his personal stories of challenges, frustrations, growth and successes.