Resources

Southwest Florida

Golisano Children's Hospital

Mission: The Golisano Children's Hospital of Southwest Florida - a standalone, state-of-the-art facility that opened in 2017 - is on a mission to deliver vital and lifesaving care for children and their families throughout the region. Our highly trained staff believes that every child is special. Children deserve innovative care in an environment that soothes anxiety and fear. All of us - doctors, nurses, advocates, social workers, and volunteers - share that vision and care for you like family.

Link: https://www.leehealth.org/locations/find-a-location/golisano-childrens-hospital-of-southwest-florida

Parent Support Network

Mission: Parent Training Information (PTI) center for the Central and Northeast of Florida, (Charlotte, Citrus, Collier, DeSoto, Glades, Hardee, Hendry, Hernando, Highlands,Hillsborough, Lee, Manatee, Pasco, Pinellas, Sarasota, and Sumter counties). These PTI services help to ensure that parents of children with the full range of disabilities have the training and information they need to prepare their children for school, and to help them lead productive, independent lives to the fullest extent possible.

Link: https://fndusa.org/program-detail-page-psn/

Family Initiative

Mission:

To Families:
We believe that families come first. Last. And always. We work to develop an individualized plan to celebrate a child’s abilities and help them advance. We believe that we can best serve your child by using a multi-disciplinary approach to promote growth and ensure they thrive.

To The Community:
Family Initiative, Inc. is committed to engaging in community partnerships to empower families and ensure the safety, permanency, and well-being of children. Utilizing a family-centered and holistic approach, we maintain transparency in collaborating with all we serve.

Link: https://www.fi-florida.org/

Family Network on Disabilities

Mission: OUR MISSION: striving for the complete integration and equality of people with disabilities in a society without barriers. 

Link: https://fndusa.org/

Project SEARCH

Mission: Preparing young people with significant disabilities for success in competitive integrated employment.

Link: https://www.projectsearch.us/

Florida Alliance for Assistive Services Technology (FAAST)

Mission: 

Our Mission
Florida Alliance for Assistive Services & Technology (FAAST), Inc.’s mission is to improve the quality of life for Floridians with disabilities by increasing awareness of and access to assistive technology.

Our Vision
FAAST, Inc.’s vision is that all Floridians with disabilities have the assistive technology they need to lead their fullest lives.

Link: https://faast.org/

Agency for Persons with Disabilities 

Mission:

The Agency supports individuals with unique abilities and their families in living, learning and working within their communities by creating multiple pathways to possibilities.

Guiding Principles
Embody and display a servant’s heart while demonstrating an ambition of constant pursuit to establish APD as a sought-after resource and navigator for Floridians with unique abilities.

Enrich the experience for individuals and families through efficient and meaningful service delivery to achieve greater program effectiveness.

Ensure a systematic approach towards transparency and accountability to achieve quality and operational excellence.

Link: https://apd.myflorida.com/

American Association on Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities (AAIDD)

Mission: AAIDD promotes progressive policies, sound research, effectice practices, and universal human rights for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities

Link: https://www.aaidd.org/home

IDD Related Articles

Stigma, Acceptance and Belonging for People with IDD Across Cultures

Link: https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s40474-020-00206-w#citeas

Jansen-van Vuuren, J., Aldersey, H.M. Stigma, Acceptance and Belonging for People with IDD Across Cultures. Curr Dev Disord Rep 7, 163–172 (2020). https://doi.org/10.1007/s40474-020-00206-w

Autism, dyslexia, ADHD: How colleges are helping ‘neurodivergent’ students succeed

Link: https://hechingerreport.org/the-quest-for-embodied-equity-on-college-campuses-focuses-on-neurodivergent-students/

Link: https://universitybusiness.com/colleges-have-a-responsibility-to-support-students-with-intellectual-disabilities/?oly_enc_id=7021H5693690A2R

Break the Mold: The Zach Bates Story

Genre: Documentary

Rated: Non-Rated

Synopsis: After graduating from high school, an autistic young man challenges himself to run a 100-mile race.

The Peanut Butter Falcon

Genre: Adventure, Comedy, Drama

Rated: PG-13

Synposis: Zak, a man with down syndrome, runs away from a residential nursing home to pursue his dream of becoming a wrestler. Later, he meets with an outlaw who becomes his friend and coach.

Crip Camp

Genre: History, Documentary

Rated: R

Synopsis: Down the road from Woodstock, a revolution blossomed at a ramshackle summer camp for teenagers with disabilities, transforming their lives and igniting a landmark movement.

Ezra

Genre: Comedy, Drama

Rated: R

Synopsis:Comedian Max co-parents autistic son Ezra with ex-wife Jenna. Faced with crucial decisions about Ezra's future, Max and Ezra go on a life-changing cross-country road trip.

Financial Planning Among Parents of Children With Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities

Link: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/37301995/