News & Updates
Stay informed and connected with FDDC news and other updates from across the state that impact those with developmental disabilities.
Sarah Goldman advocates for universal accessibility, inclusion and equality on the 32nd Anniversary of the ADA
I was born into “generation ADA,” which is anyone born around or after the time the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) passed in 1990. …
Airline Passengers with Disabilities Bill of Rights
Air travel for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities can be challenging. There can be a lot of confusion, lack of assistance and damaged …
Dialing “988” will route calls to the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline
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 …
APD Announces Record Rate Increases to Direct Support Professionals in Freedom First Budget
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 …
Florida’s Purple Alert Plan is Now in Effect
There are plenty of color-coded alerts in Florida — Amber, Silver, Blue and now Purple. The newest color-coded alert, which went into effect July …
FDLE Gets Ready to Issue Purple Alerts Across Florida for Missing Adults
The Florida Department of Law Enforcement (FDLE) announced it will begin issuing Purple Alerts in Florida on July 1. Florida’s Purple Alert Plan was established by the …
Special Savings Program for Floridians
Attention self-advocates and family members! There is a savings program for Floridians with disabilities to leverage called ABLE United. Managed by Florida Prepaid, ABLE …
Disability Employment Awareness Month focuses on recognizing abilities
October is Disability Employment Awareness Month in Florida. This is when our state and the nation focus on job opportunities for people with disabilities. …
APD Offers Waiver Enrollment to Individuals on Waiting List
With the Agency for Persons with Disabilities (APD) offering Home and Community-Based Services (HCBS) Medicaid waiver enrollment to individuals on the waiver waiting list, …
Florida seeks $1.1B in federal funding to expand Medicaid home-based services
The DeSantis administration is seeking an additional $1.1 billion in federal Medicaid dollars available under the American Rescue Plan over the next two years …
Florida requests $1.1 billion to boost HCBS funding
On Monday, Florida’s Agency for Health Care Administration (AHCA) submitted a $1.1 billion spending plan for home and community-based services (HCBS) to the Centers for Medicare …
Florida asks for $1.1 billion in Medicaid funding but it’s not a step toward expansion
Gov. Ron DeSantis’ administration is asking the federal government for an additional $1.1 billion in federal Medicaid dollars over the next two years to …
Group Homes For Those With Developmental Disabilities Face A Growing Worker Shortage
Developmental disability service providers are the latest to join a list of employers who say they’re facing a worker shortage. Advocates say direct support …
Don’t Leave Federal Funds on the Table
We are urging the Florida Legislature to not leave Federal funds for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities on the table. Learn more about …
Florida COVID vaccine plan mostly bypasses developmentally disabled population
Florida COVID vaccine plan mostly bypasses developmentally disabled population But help may be on the way When Pat Shepard went to get her COVID-19 …
Gov. DeSantis health budget wins praise — mostly (FloridaPolitics.com)
Gov. Ron DeSantis’ proposed $96.6 billion budget unveiled Thursday got high marks from most, but not all, health-care providers that treat poor, elderly and …
DeSantis’ Budget Vetoes A ‘Big Hit’ To Florida’s Health Care System
Gov. Ron DeSantis vetoed more than $140.5 million in health care spending from the state’s new budget Monday as he brought the spending plan …
Florida Developmental Disabilities Council commends Gov. DeSantis for preserved funding
The Florida Developmental Disabilities Council issued a statement Monday recognizing Gov. Ron DeSantis‘s decision to leave the funding for the iBudget Waiver and the Agency …
Sunrise Podcast – Interview with Valerie Breen, FDDC Executive Director (interview starts at 10-minute mark)
Floridians with disabilities rally in the Capitol Courtyard as lawmakers try to figure out how to deal with the waiting list for persons with …
Florida Politics Sunburn – Sunrise Podcast interview with Valerie by Rick Flagg
Floridians with disabilities rally in the Capitol Courtyard as lawmakers try to figure out how to deal with the waiting list for persons with …
Advocates Gather at State Capitol for Developmental Disabilities and Transportation Awareness Day
Hundreds of Floridians concerned about the quality of care and services for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities as well as those who are …
Sunburn – The morning read of what’s hot in Florida politics
Could the fact that Monday night’s Capitol Press Corps Skits were the 65th iteration of this annual lampooning of Florida politics be portentous? As one …
A prime-time look at the 2020 Legislative Session
Sixty Days — A prime-time look at the 2019 Legislative Session: The Last 24 The House has been moving forward with a proposal that …
Thank You to all of our partners of the 2020 Disabilities & Transportation Awareness Day
The Florida Developmental Disabilities Council would like to thank everyone who attended our Disabilities & Transportation Awareness Day on Tuesday, February 11, 2020, at …
2020 Idelio Award Winner, Danielle McGill & Executive Director, Valerie Breen
2020 Idelio Award Winner, Danielle McGill & Executive Director, Valerie Breen Fort Lauderdale resident Danielle McGill received the 11th Annual Idelio Valdes Leadership and …