Disability Rights Florida Blog (employment_the_road_less_traveled_by)
How Police in School Impacts Students with Disabilities
Friday, May 09, 2025
Over the past decade, many schools have increased the presence of police officers—known as school resource officers (SROs)—in response to concerns about safety. Students today face new challenges, including exposure to online bullying and traumatic experiences that affect their mental health. Despite this, many schools rely more on law enforcement than on professionals trained to support emotional and behavioral needs.
The Legacy of the 504 Sit-In: Why the Fight for Disability Rights Continues
Thursday, April 24, 2025
In 1977, a group of disability rights activists staged a historic sit-in to demand the enforcement of Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973. Their efforts helped lay the foundation for future disability protections, including the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA).
The Working People with Disabilities Program: How Employment & Independence Go Hand-in-Hand
Monday, April 07, 2025
For many people with disabilities, having a job means financial security, independence, and community involvement. But a major concern often holds people back: the fear of losing critical support services like Medicaid and Home & Community-Based Services (HCBS), which provide in-home and community-based support.
Independent Living for People with Disabilities in Florida: Know Your Rights & Resources
Monday, March 24, 2025
Everyone deserves the right to choose where to live, work, and participate in the community. Living independently is possible when you have access to the right resources and legal protections.
Assistive Technology for People with Disabilities: Your Guide to Independence & Access
Monday, March 10, 2025
Many people think assistive technology (AT) is just a convenience—like a high-tech gadget that makes life easier. But for people with disabilities, AT is essential for independence, communication, and full participation in everyday life.
Celebrating Black Disability Activists: Honoring History, Empowering Voices, Inspiring Action
Tuesday, February 11, 2025
Black people with disabilities often face unfair treatment because of both their race and their disability. Legal scholar Kimberlé Crenshaw introduced the idea of intersectionality to explain how having more than one marginalized identity can create unique challenges. This blog highlights eight Black disability activists who are making a difference in their communities and beyond. By recognizing their work, we hope to educate, inspire, and encourage more Black people with disabilities to speak up for themselves and others. When Black disabled voices are heard, barriers can be broken, and the world can become fairer for everyone.
Ensuring Safe Accommodations for Air Travelers with Disabilities Using Wheelchairs
Friday, January 17, 2025
U.S. Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg recently announced that the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) has implemented new protections for individuals with disabilities in commercial air travel. These measures are designed to ensure passengers with disabilities can fly safely and with dignity.
How to Request a Work Accommodation
Monday, December 16, 2024
Learn how to request a reasonable accommodation, how much information you need to provide your employer, and what to do if your request is denied.
Disability and Sexual Violence Awareness
Wednesday, October 30, 2024
People with disabilities are often left out of discussions regarding sexual violence and bodily autonomy. In this blog, we discuss the prevalence of this type of violence committed against people with disabilities and some of the societal factors that contribute to the perpetuation of this violence and the silencing of disabled victims and survivors. We end the blog with a call to action for service providers to engage in discussions on this topic like we are.
Competitive Integrated Employment: A Workplace Where We All Thrive
Monday, August 26, 2024
Everyone deserves to have a fulfilling professional life, and that includes people with disabilities. However, achieving this is not always straightforward. Employees with disabilities often face unfair working conditions, and many are even forced to work in places called sheltered workshops, where they are isolated from co-workers without disabilities or paid less than minimum wage. This isolation is discouraging for workers with disabilities and results in employers missing out on the unique knowledge and talents they have to offer.
What are Social Security Overpayments?
Wednesday, August 14, 2024
To protect your finances and avoid issues with Social Security, read our blog to learn about what overpayments are, the Social Security Administration’s new plan to address improper payments, and how to lessen the impact of overpayments, and how you can be ready if an overpayment happens.
Voting with a Disability
Wednesday, July 24, 2024
As a voter with a disability in Florida, you have the right to fully participate in our democracy. Your voice matters, and there are many resources available to help you exercise your right to vote. Let's explore some key information about voting with disabilities in Florida.
The P&A Network’s Special Power: Access Authority
Friday, June 21, 2024
Following a series of TV broadcasts about Willowbrook State School, the government created the Protection & Advocacy (P&A) network and gave these agencies like ours the power thoroughly investigate places that people with disabilities receive services.
How to Use Easy Language
Tuesday, May 21, 2024
Easy Language, sometimes called Plain Language, means writing and providing information in short, simple ways. People need information in a way that is easy to understand. When we write things in ways that are hard to understand, we can exclude people. This blog teaches you how to write using Easy Language.
Resources for Parents with Disabilities
Monday, April 08, 2024
Whether you have a visible disability, invisible disability, chronic illness, or other health issues, being a parent with a disability is possible. In fact, there are lots of parents with disabilities. The National Research Center for Parents with Disabilities found that there are over 4.4 million parents who have a disability.