Advocacy

Autism Speaks

Website – Research, Awareness, Fundraising

Dedicated to funding research into the causes, prevention, treatments and a cure for autism; increasing awareness of autism spectrum disorders; and advocating for the needs of individuals with autism and their families. We are proud of what we’ve been able to accomplish and look forward to continued successes in the years ahead.

Autism Response Team:
(888) 288-4762

 

Community

2‐1‐1

2‐1‐1 SPECIAL NEEDS CONNECTIONS

Website – Special Needs Connections

24‐hour helpline counselors 211

or 954‐537‐0211

 

Autism Society Broward County

Website – Awareness, Education, Advocacy

Autism Society fundraisers provide us with monies that enable us to assist families with support groups as well as social, recreational and educational opportunities. All of the funds we raise go right into our community-based programs.

10250 Northwest 53rd Street
Sunrise, FL 33351

Call us 24/7:

954.577.4141

 

The Children's Trust

Website – The Children’s Trust

The Children’s Trust emphasizes collaboration and partnership in order to provide the programs and services needed by children and families, and to effect community-wide change.

The Dan Marino Foundation

Website – The Dan Marino Foundation

Marino Campus is an exciting post-secondary educational opportunity for young adults with autism and other developmental disabilities. Although new, Marino Campus offers students all of the academic and social opportunities that make college a unique, life-changing experience.

The Dan Marino Foundation
400 North Andrews Avenue
Ft. Lauderdale, FL 33301
Phone: 954-368-6000

The Family Café

Website – The Family Café

Resource Groups–The Family Café exists to provide individuals with disabilities and their families with an opportunity for collaboration, advocacy, friendship and empowerment by serving as a facilitator of communication, a space for dialogue and a source of information.

Phone (850) 224-4670

Toll Free (888) 309-CAFE

Fax (850) 224-4674

info@familycafe.net

National Autism Association

Website – Program Assistance, Support, Awareness

Parent-run advocacy organization and the leading voice on urgent issues related to severe autism, regressive autism, autism safety, autism abuse, and crisis prevention.

National Autism Association
One Park Avenue, Suite 1
Portsmouth, RI 02871

Toll Free: 877.622.2884
Local: 401.293.5551
Fax: 401.293.5342

Post-Secondary Ed

FAU Transitioning Owls Program

Website – Florida Atlantic University Transitioning Owls Program

Eligible students must have documented significant cognitive disabilities noted in most current psycho‐educational evaluation.

Program eligibility may include: InD, ASD, OHI, TBI, EBD, SLD

Accepts special diploma, or other non‐standard diploma: yes
Accommodations available:Yes

Jo Ann Bamdas
jbamdas@fau.edu

FAU Academy for Community Inclusion

 Website – Florida Atlantic University Academy for Community Inclusion

Students must have a diagnosis of a developmental disability.

There are three certificate options available to students:

1. Supported Employment 20 credits

2. Supported Community Living 20 credits

3. Supported Community Access 20 credits

Students may select any or all certificate tracks.

Dr. Michael Brady
mbrady@fau.edu

Gwen Carey, M.Ed.
gcarey@fau.edu

FIU Project Panther Life

Website – Florida International University – Project Panther Life

Jill Brookner, Transition Supervisor
Division of Special Education, M‐DCPS
jbrookner@dadeschools.net

Diana Valle‐Riestra, Assistant Professor of Special
Education & Principal Investigator
riestrad@fiu.edu

Florida Consortium on Postsecondary Education and Intellectual Disabilities

 Website – Florida Consortium on Post-secondary Education and Intellectual Disabilities

Consortium on Postsecondary Education and Intellectual Disabilities website!

Florida Developmental Disabilities Council
The Arc Jacksonville Academy On Campus Transition at UNF
Lynn University Project ACCESS
Miami Dade College Project ACCEPT
Miami Dade College InterAmerican Project ACCEPT

Miami Dade College InterAmerican Project ACCEPT – ONLINE INFO (PDF)

Transition program from high school to Post secondary Education that helps students who are 18‐22 years of age socially among their peers.

Jill Brookner, Instructional Supervisor:
(305) 995‐7580 or jbrookner@dadeschools.net
Evelys Ubiera, Classroom Teacher:
(305) 237‐6649 or ubieraE@dadeschools.net

(post-secondary ed)

Marino Campus
St. Pete College Seminole Campus - LiFT University Program
UNF The On Campus Transition (OCT) program

University of North Florida – The On Campus Transition (OCT) program

The On Campus Transition (OCT) program is a partnership of The Arc Jacksonville and the University of North Florida (UNF). This innovative program provides young adults with developmental disabilities the unique opportunity of having an authentic college experience while receiving transition services in an inclusive and integrated environment. The OCT is a private school (funding may be provided via McKay Scholarship) that serves students ages 18 and up who have completed high school course work. Students participate in all aspects of college life by auditing UNF courses, joining campus organizations and clubs, and participating in recreational/leisure activities enjoyed by all UNF students. Students also have the opportunity to live in off-campus student housing or in UNF’s dormitories through the IDYLLIC (Including Disabled youth Living and Learning In College) residential program.

Brianna Frazier, HEOA Consortium Consultant 

UNF THRIVE

University of North Florida (UNF) – THRIVE

Theme Housing is a program established to promote a direct link between residential and extracurricular life for students at the University of North Florida. It is designed to provide students who have common extracurricular interests the opportunity to live together in campus housing while fulfilling a common goal. A Theme Housing program increases students’ opportunities to connect and learn from each other. Up to 50 students to live together on campus centered around a common theme for the academic year.

THRIVE community contact the DRC at drc@unf.edu

and/or

visit http://www.unf.edu/drc/ for more information about the service provided through the DRC.

The Learning Academy at USF
USF Florida Center for Inclusive Communities

Website – University of South Florida ‐ Florida Center for Inclusive Communities

To promote access to and participation in inclusive education for students with developmental disabilities.

USF Project 10 STING RAY

University of South Florida Project 10 STING RAY – BROCHURE.PDF

University of South Florida – St. Petersburg, and Project 10. It offers young adults with significant cognitive disabilities, ages 18-22, an opportunity to experience life on a college campus while developing independent living and employability skills. The program focuses on independent living in the community; preparation for employment; community-based work experience; on-the-job training; placement in competitive, integrated employment; preparation for continuing higher education; development of self-determination skills; and establishment and maintenance of positive social and work relationships

L. Danielle Roberts, Dahm Project Coordinator lroberts@usfsp.edu 

USF Successful Transition After Graduation For Exceptional Students (STAGES)

University of South Florida (USF) Successful Transition After Graduation For Exceptional Students (STAGES)

STAGES is a partnership between the School District of Hillsborough County and University of South Florida College of Education Department of Special Education. Training and support is provided to young adults with disabilities including opportunities to experience college life, explore career options, utilize public transportation, learn self advocacy skills, interact with age‐appropriate
peers, and reach their potential as independent members of the community.

Georgie Collins, Transition Facilitator
(813) 974‐3632 or Georgie.Collins@sdhc.k12.fl.us

Education Specialists

Customized Interventions

Website – Customized Interventions

Educational Interventions for Students

Dr. Sandy Rizzo Weiner

drsandy@customizedinterventions.com

Entrepreneurship

Picasso Einstein

Website – Picasso Einstein

Advocate, consult and provide training services  to organizations, schools, and employers, all for the purpose of encouraging independence & improving the quality of life for our loved ones with disabilities.

2114 North Flamingo Rd #105

Pembroke Pines, Florida 33028

Tel: (954) 399-6199

Mentoring

Best Buddies

Website – Best Buddies Florida

Various Chapters in different High Schools and Community Centers.

A national Organization providing friendship, mentoring and job opportunities for people with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities

Special Olympics

Website – Special Olympics

To help people with intellectual disabilities participate as productive and respected members of society at large, by offering them a fair opportunity to develop and demonstrate their skills and talents through sports training and competition, and by increasing the public’s awareness of their capabilities and needs.

1915 Don Wickham Drive, Clermont, FL 34711
Phone: (352)243-9536 | Fax: (352)243-9568

State Non-Profit

Florida Developmental Disabilities Council
Summit Camp & Travel

Website – Camp, Travel, Weekender 

Camp provides a summer sleep away camp experience for boys and girls, ages 8‐19, who have issues of attention. These may include Attention Deficit Disorder (ADD and/or ADHD), ASD, Asperger’s syndrome, awkward social skills, High Functioning Autism, verbal or non‐verbal learning disabilities (NVLD), and/or mild social or emotional concerns.

Summit Camp Email: info@summitcamp.com

Winter Office
322 Route 46 West, Suite 210, Parsippany, NJ 07054
Phone: +1‐973‐732‐3230
Fax: +1‐973‐732‐3226

Summer
168 Duck Harbor Road, Honesdale, PA 18431
Phone: +1‐570‐253‐4381
Fax: +1‐570‐253‐2937

Talisman Camps

Website – Camp, Travel

Talisman provides exceptional ADHD, Autism and Asperger’s camp opportunities for young people, ages 6 to 22, with autism spectrum disorders, ADHD and other learning differences.

Talisman Programs
64 Gap Creek Road
Zirconia, NC 28790
+1 828 697 6313
info@talismancamps.com

Vocational

Vocational Rehabilitation

Website – Vocational Rehabilitation

This is a federal‐state program that helps people who have physical or mental disabilities get or keep a job. VR is committed to helping people with disabilities find meaningful careers.

Division of Vocational Rehabilitation
Headquarters Office
4070 Esplanade Way
Tallahassee, Florida 32399‐7016

Director: Aleisa McKinlay
(800) 451‐4327
(850) 245‐3399