Florida Developmental Disabilities Council

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Resources

Projects of the Florida Developmental Disabilities Council have produced an array of materials on topics ranging from inclusive early education to supported living and employment programs. To meet the needs of diverse audiences, these resources are available in a variety of formats and media, including pamphlets, newsletters, resource guides, handbooks, training manuals, research reports, public education materials, audiotapes, and videotapes. Many are available in Spanish and alternate formats.

A videotape presentation about the Florida Developmental Disabilities Council is also available to anyone interested in learning more about the Council's work.

The following list includes the Council's newest or most requested products. Resources may be downloaded, if available, or ordered on-line.

 

Publications ordered by phone or on-line are mailed out once a month. There may be a week or more delay between when you place your order and when your materials arrive.


Publicaciones, Videos y Otros Recursos

Los proyectos del Concilio de Invalideces de Desarrollo han producido una serie de materiales de temas como la Educación Temprana Inclusiva, Programas de Apoyo para Vivir Independientemente y los Programas de Empleo. Estos recursos están disponibles en una variedad de formatos y medios de comunicación que incluyen folletos, boletines informativos, guías de recursos, panfletos, manuales de capacitación, materiales educativos, casetes y videos. Muchos de estos materiales están disponibles en español y en varios formatos alternos.

También tenemos a la disposición una presentación de video sobre el Concilio de Invalideces de Desarrollo para aquellos que estén interesados en el trabajo que el Concilio realiza.

La siguiente lista incluye los productos más recientes y más demandados por el público. Algunos de estos productos pueden ser transferidos electrónicamente desde la Internet o pueden ser pedidos directamente a nuestras oficinas.


Requests for Resources

To request a copy, free of charge, of any of these resources, click "Order Online". 

 

Child Development


A Family Guide to Children's Mental Health Services and Supports.

This guide, published by the  Mental Health Program Office in the Department of Children and Families, was designed to provide families with information they may find helpful in working with health care providers and others to find appropriate, evidence-based mental health services and supports for their family members. 
 


A Viable Plan for the Sustainability of the Early Steps Program

Early Steps, the system in place to help children with developmental issues and the families that love and provide for them, specifically the Early Steps program, is facing funding shortfalls due, in part, to the economic downturn coupled with identification of a larger number of children in need of services. To proactively address the eminent threat to Early Steps, the Florida Developmental Disabilities Council contracted with the Ounce of Prevention Fund to facilitate a strategic planning process and develop a viable plan for the sustainability of the Early Steps program.
 


Autism 4 Parents, Inc.

Autism 4 Parents is an organization working to help families living with Autism. Autism 4 Parents has programs to educate and inform parents and the community, including sensory integration directed by an occupational therapist, an Asperger's group directed by a psychiatrist, and Bruster's Buddies 4 Autism. For more information click here.


Count Me In: Resources for Early Childhood Inclusion

The Florida Expanding Opportunities for Early Childhood Inclusion Professional Development Workgroup has released “Count Me In: Resources for Early Childhood Inclusion”. The purpose of this compilation is to answer questions and provide general information to families and early learning providers on how to successfully include young children with disabilities in early childhood programs. Click here to view the compilation online. For additional information contact Katy McCullough at katy.mccullough@unc.edu or Lou Ann Long at lalong@centraldirectory.org.


First Steps: A Guide for Parents of Children with Developmental Disabilities

One of the Developmental Disabilities Council's most popular publications, the revised edition of this guide for parents of children with developmental disabilities covers such topics as acceptance, services, and the rights of people with disabilities.

The publication is available both in Spanish and English, as well as in color and black and white (for ease of printing). Both versions of the publication are broken into chapters and the publications are only available in Acrobat Reader (PDF) format. The DOWNLOAD buttons above will take you to the pages where you can download your copies.

Order Online [English]

Order Online [Spanish]


NICHCY

The National Dissemination Center for Children with Disabilities (NICHCY) serves as a central source of information on disabilities in infants, toddlers, children, and youth. Resources include easy-to-read information on IDEA, the law authorizing early intervention services and special education, and State Resource Sheets, which connect families with the disability agencies and organizations in each state. For more information click here.

 


The Children's Trust

This website contains information on children with special needs and medical conditions, including a list of disabilities and medical conditions.

Community Living

A Place Where I Belong

A curriculum for assisting people with disabilities who want a home of their own. Designed for use by those who provide services to people with disabilities, particularly in rural areas. A companion workbook for people with disabilities provides lessons and activities to assist in the process of home ownership is also available. (2001)

Download Curriculum [PDF]

Download Workbook [PDF]


Disaster Ready

This publication can help anyone prepare for a disaster, but includes specific information that is important for individuals with disabilities.

Download [PDF]

Order Online


Finding a Home

This informational guide is useful to anyone with a limited income. It provides practical information on buying or renting a home.(1995)

Download [PDF]


Inclusion Now!

Information on including individuals with disabilities in education, business and the community.

Download Video


Let's Go - A Guide to Getting Around Your Community in Florida

This publication provides county-by-county transportation information, including specific services available in each county, as well as contact information for the various agencies that manage transportation services in Florida.

Download [PDF]

Order Online


 

People First Language

People with disabilities are people first.  When speaking or writing about individuals with disabilities, it's important to accurately portray them as active, valued members of their communities.  We can do this by using People First Language.


There's No Place Like Home

Pamphlet answers questions about obtaining safe, decent and affordable housing in a community setting. (2000)

Download [PDF]


Innovative Approaches for Increasing Transportation Options for People with Disabilities in Florida: A Transportation Feasibility Study Report

Produced by the Florida Developmental Disabilities Council and the Able Trust, this publication explores innovative approaches for increasing transportation options for Floridians with disabilities. Unfortunately, there are no hard copies of the study report available.

Download [PDF]
 


Voting in Florida - A Guide for Citizens with Disabilities (2012 Update)

Voting is your right and responsibility as a citizen.  If you vote, you can help select the national, state, and local officials who make laws, design programs, and decide how tax dollars are spent. The guide has forms for requesting an absentee ballot  and a Florida Voter Registation Application.  

Download [PDF]

Order Online

Education

Special Education Law and Advocacy Workshops

In August of 2010 The Florida Developmental Disabilities Council and Disability Rights Florida hosted a series of Special Education Law and Advocacy Workshops throughout the state. The DVDs of the workshops are available to you now at no charge. The three DVDs include Evaluation & IEP; Inclusion & Discipline; and Transition & Problem Solving. To order, click “Order Online”.
 

There has been an overwhelming number of requests for these DVDs and we only have a limited amount of them. Therefore, we will send one of each of the DVDs requested, and requestors can make as many copies of the DVDs as needed. The DVDs can also be downloaded off the website by clicking on "View Video" below.

Order Online

Inclusion View Video
Discipline & IDEA View Video
Evaluations View Video
The IEP View Video
Transition View Video
Problem Solving View Video

State Board of Education Rules

The State Board of Education Rules are now on the Department of State’s newly created web site. Interested persons may search by rule, title, subject, statute number, and agency, and sign up for e-mail notification when a rule is proposed for amendment. The Web site is: https://www.flrules.org/default.asp.

The Department of Education has developed a new website to ensure that all stakeholders can request a rule development workshop and express their concerns relating to specific rules of the State Board of Education. Rules with final action can also be viewed. For more information go to https://app1.fldoe.org/rules/default.aspx.
 

Sexuality Across the Lifespan for Children and Adolescents with Developmental Disabilities

An instructional guide for PARENTS/CAREGIVERS of individuals with developmental disabilities. You can download the English and Spanish PDF versions and order the English version online.

Download - English - PDF

Download - Spanish - PDF

Order Online - English

An instructional guide for EDUCATORS of individuals with developmental disabilities. You can download the English and Spanish PDF versions and order the English version online.

Download - English - PDF

Order Online - English


Accommodations and Modifications

Booklet helps parents of students with disabilities understand two important features of special education: accommodations and modifications. (2000)

Download [PDF]

Employment


Employment is Job One

Report of the Florida Developmental Disabilities Council, Inc. Financing Supported Employment Task Force (March 2004)

Download [PDF]


Employment Resources and Self-Help Guide for Individuals with Disabilities

This employment resource guide includes up-to-date resource information with hyperlinks from the table of contents to the document to appropriate cites to applicable federal/state law, regulations and websites, making this guide user-friendly and easy to navigate. To review this guide, go to: http://www.faast.org/resources/library


Florida's Supported Employment Services

This document provides introductory overview about supported employment services, staff guidelines, rights of individuals. Sections about employment and the ADA, assistive technology, Social Security Work Incentives, the Supported Employment Waiver Program and transition services are also included. (May 2000)

Download [PDF]


FYI Transition

The University of South Florida, in collaboration with the Florida Developmental Disabilities Council, has developed a website to provide information to students with disabilities and their families related to employment and transition. FYI Transition provides information and web-based learning on transition planning, career and post-secondary education planning, job development and support, career exploration, funding, work incentives, and more.  For more information, click here.


Going to Work

A quick guide for professionals working with individuals with disabilities.
Making the decision to work and developing a plan is one of the most important decisions an individual will make. This guide has information in an easy-to-reasd format for the busy professional.

Download [PDF]


Opening Doors to New Consumers and Employees

This guide is designed for potential employers, and it identifies the advantages of hiring people with disabilities. (1998)

Download [PDF]


Tracking Down a Job with Supported Employment

Designed for persons requiring special assistance when seeking a job, this guide describes the necessary steps to take to land a job. (1994)

Download [PDF]

Health Care

Health Insurance for Young Adults

Just The Facts: The 411 on Health Insurance for Young Adults Ages 18-30 in Florida is designed to help all young adults - including those with chronic health conditions or disabilities - identify, access, and maintain health insurance coverage that meets their needs. To view the document or download a PDF version, click here.


ADP Waitlist Survey [Final Report]

In this guide you will find that the purpose of this project was to survey a sample of individuals who are on the Agency for Persons with Disabilities' waiting list, who are living in their own homes or their families' homes, in order to gain a better understanding of their needs. (2008)

Download [PDF]


FloridaHATS

Florida Health and Transition Services (FloridaHATS) is a collaborative program of the Florida Department of Health, the Children’s Medical Services Network, the Florida Developmental Disabilities Council, and other partners throughout the state.
FloridaHATS’ mission is to ensure successful transition from pediatric to adult health care for all youth and young adults in Florida, including those with disabilities, chronic health conditions or other special health care needs. For more information click here.
 

Legal & Reference

Defendants with Retardation

This pamphlet explains how to diagnose retardation and protect the statutory rights of defendants with developmental disabilities. (1997 [rev.])

Download [PDF]


FDDC's Universal Education Position, Policy & Practice Statement

Universal Education, also referred to as inclusion, is an approach to education that creates learning environments which are inherently designed for diversity, making natural education settings accessible to all children, all together, all the time.

Order Online


Florida Developmental Disabilities Council State Plan

The Council's goals, funding, and strategies for systemic change through the year 2016 are provided in this guide.

State Plan Goals and Objective 2012-2016

State Plan Blueprint 2012-2016


General Resource and Self-Help Guide for Children with Disabilities and their Families

The Florida Alliance for Assistive Services and Technology has produced a comprehensive 96-page publication, “General Resource and Self-Help Guide for Children with Disabilities and their Families”. This guide includes up-to-date resource information with hyperlinks from the table of contents to the document, to appropriate cites, and to applicable federal/state laws, regulations and websites, making this resource guide user-friendly to navigate. To review this guide, go to www.faast.org/atr_trends.cfm.


Lighting the Way to Guardianship and Other Decision-Making Alternatives

This document provides accurate and timely information regarding guardianship and alternatives to guardianship for individuals with developmental disabilities and their families. If legal advice or other expert assistance is required, please seek the service of competent professional.

View Presentation

Download [PDF]

Order Online 

Service Coordination

Great Resource on Disability Etiquette

Download [PDF]


Choosing and Planning Your Supports and Services

A resource guide for people who receive services through DCF/Developmental Disabilities Program. Large file 6MB. (1999)

Download [PDF]


Planning Ahead

Recently revised! A handbook for parents, family members and guardians of adults with developmental disabilities. Provides information that will help identify and plan the direction and future regarding the quality of life family members' desire. Personal information summary included to ensure the safety and happiness of a surviving family member with a disability. (2005)

Download [PDF]

Order Online


Promises Made... Promises Kept

A policy analysis resource guide of public services available to Florida residents with developmental disabilities (2003)

Download [Word]


Working With Your Support Coordinator

This guide is designed for people who receive services through the DCF/ Developmental Disabilities Program, this workbook explains the support planning process, including how to select and work productively with a support coordinator. (1998)

Download [PDF] - English

Download [PDF] - Spanish


Your Life Your Way

A publication for individuals who receive Developmental Disabilities Home and Community-Based Waiver Services (DD/HCBS) or Family Supported Living Services (FSL) waivers.  This guidebook is designed to help people understand the waivers and to hlep people manage their services, supports and service providers.

Download [PDF] - English

Order Online

Special Interest Publications

A Strategic Path Forward

The Florida Developmental Disabilities Council, in collaboration with the Strategic
Path Work Group, contracted with the Human Services Research Institute to
develop A Strategic Path Forward , a plan for improving the state’s developmental disabilities service system.

A Strategic Path Forward PDF

Action Steps PDF

 


Becoming a Member of the Florida Developmental Disabilities Council

A brochure that explains how to apply for membership on the Florida Developmental Disabilities Council.

Download PDF


Disability Awareness Books

Click here to review disability awareness books recommended by the FDDC. 


The Florida Developmental Disabilities Council 2011 Brochure

You can print a copy by clicking here, or call the Council at 1-800-580-7801 and request a copy.


The Florida Developmental Disabilities Council 2010 Annual Report

Download PDF.

The Florida Developmental Disabilities Council 2009 Annual Report

Download PDF
 

The Florida Developmental Disabilities Council 2008 Annual Report

Download PDF