October is National Disability Employment Awareness Month, a time to honor the contributions of workers with disabilities and promote inclusivity in the workforce. As a former teacher and chair of the Broward Special Needs Advisory Coalition, I understand how important it is to help individuals with disabilities reach their full potential.
Florida has an estimated 472,000 individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD), with about 75% living with a caregiver. As caregivers age, providing care can become challenging, leaving many adults with IDD at risk of homelessness or institutionalization. In order to address this, Senator Osgood and I were proud to secure $2 million in our state’s budget for The Villages of South Florida Autism. It is an independent living facility for adults with IDD run by the South Florida Autism Charter School. The Villages of South Florida Autism will provide adults with IDD a supportive environment where they can build independence. It will offer social and vocational programs, including job skills training and community activities, while utilizing smart technologies for communication, monitoring, and emergency response. The facility will provide adults with IDD the tools and support they need to thrive.
As we celebrate National Disability Employment Awareness Month, we must recognize the importance of inclusivity and provide individuals with the opportunities needed to succeed. Community resources are listed below:
• CareerSource Broward: careersourcebroward.com – (954) 677-5555
○ Offers free career services, training programs, and specialized support for individuals with disabilities seeking employment.
• ArcBroward: arcbroward.com – (954) 746-9400
○ Provides services for children and adults with disabilities, including Arc Works, which focuses on job readiness and work development skills.
• Agency for Persons with Disabilities: apd.myflorida.com – (850) 488-4257
○ Provides support for individuals with disabilities, including the Employment Enhancement Project, which provides employment services for people who are on the APD pre-enrollment list.
It is an honor to serve you, and we are here to assist with any issues or concerns. Feel free to contact me anytime at [email protected] or our office at (954) 872-1770. You can also reach me on my personal cell at (954) 668-3662.
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