Disability Rights Florida Blog (public_input_survey_results_and_2020_2021_goals_priorities_and_objectives)
35 Years of the ADA: What Has Changed, And What Still Needs To
Friday, July 25, 2025
On July 26, 1990, the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) was signed into law. This law said loud and clear that people with disabilities must be treated with dignity, respect, and fairness across employment, public services, transportation, and more. It sent a message: no more hiding, no more excuses, and no more walls. Now, in 2025, that message is still important. But the ADA was never meant to be the end of the story. It was the beginning. Our job now is to ask, “What comes next?” and keep pushing for the world the ADA promised.
Celebrating Disability Pride: Honoring Our Stories and Rights
Friday, July 11, 2025
This month is a powerful reminder: people with disabilities are not invisible. We are here. We are strong. And we have the right to be heard, seen, and celebrated.
Disability Pride Month is about more than visibility, it’s about belonging. It’s about lifting up the voices of people with disabilities, honoring our history, and continuing to fight for access, dignity, and justice. And it's also about joy. Unapologetic, everyday joy in who we are.
Disaster Preparedness and Disability Rights: Ensuring Safety and Access Before, During, and After Emergencies
Thursday, June 26, 2025
Emergencies can happen to anyone. But for people with disabilities, the risks are often greater. When emergency plans fail to include everyone, it can result in people being left without access to shelter, transportation, communication, or life-saving services. These are not just oversights—they can become violations of civil rights.
Olmstead v. L.C.: How This Case Changed Disability Rights Forever
Thursday, June 12, 2025
People with disabilities have the right to live, work, and take part in their communities. But for decades, many were denied that right. Too often, they were placed in institutions, far from loved ones and opportunities, even when they were capable of living independently with the right support. That changed in 1999 with a landmark Supreme Court decision called Olmstead v. L.C.
PAIMI: The Program That Protects People with Mental Health Conditions
Friday, May 23, 2025
The PAIMI (Protection and Advocacy for Individuals with Mental Illness) program is a federally funded initiative that protects the rights of individuals with mental health conditions, particularly those in institutional settings. PAIMI empowers us to investigate complaints, monitor facilities, and provide legal and advocacy support, and promotes dignity, safety, and accountability in mental health care, helping both individuals and families understand rights and navigate complex systems.
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.