News

This week, we are celebrating Direct Support Professionals Week, a time to honor our DSPs for the work they do to help those with intellectual and developmental disabilities to live fulfilled lives. The Florida Developmental Disabilities Council, Inc. (FDDC) is concerned about the shortage of DSPs and is supporting a research project to identify solutions […]

I think back to the role my own grandparents played in my life, shaping my own cultural and religious beliefs.  One set was younger and could take my brother and me for weekends. I remember fondly our trips to eat at the Hamburger Express, where toy trains traveled throughout the restaurant delivering your meal and

FDDC news you can use about the Florida SAND fellow, Advocacy Guide; Back to School, and Hurricane Preparedness. Click here to read the 8/30/2023 edition of FDDC Connections.  

On the 33rd anniversary of the ADA, let’s all make it our responsibility to reach out and provide support to someone with a disability – whether it is a family member, neighbor, or coworker – we can all make their lives a little easier, and our lives a little richer.” Thank you to the Florida

Miami Gardens resident Denise Prehay received the 14th Annual Idelio Valdes Leadership and Advocacy Award – the state’s top honor recognizing an individual with a developmental disability. The award is presented each year by the Florida Developmental Disabilities Council (FDDC) to a self-advocate who has helped develop partnerships for the facilitation of community integration, employment,

I was born into “generation ADA,” which is anyone born around or after the time the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) passed in 1990. I am fortunate to benefit from having curb cuts for my wheelchair, have the ability to ride almost any form of public transportation with few barriers, and attended and graduated from

Air travel for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities can be challenging. There can be a lot of confusion, lack of assistance and damaged wheelchairs. Please click here to see the most recent version of the Airline Passengers with Disabilities Bill of Rights, which includes links to a video and a downloadable PDF: https://conta.cc/3uXYvb7

Beginning July 16, 2022, dialing “988” will route calls to the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline. In 2020, Congress designated 988 as a new three-digit dialing, texting, and chat code for direct connection to support for anyone experiencing substance use issues, a suicidal crisis, or mental health-related distress. When people call, text, or chat 988, they

Last month, Governor DeSantis signed Florida’s Freedom First Budget to continue his commitment to helping individuals with developmental disabilities. For the first time ever, the Agency for Persons with Disabilities (APD) will have a record high budget totaling over $2 billion for Fiscal Year 2022-23, providing record provider rate increases to give Direct Support Professionals (DSPs)