Blog | Tag: Services

Two people can need the same support and get two different realities in Florida. One person finds an appointment in a few weeks. Another is told to try again next month. One student gets school supports that show up consistently. Another student is waiting for staffing, waiting for paperwork, or waiting for a provider that is not nearby. When this happens, people often blame themselves first. They assume they asked the wrong way, called the wrong people, or missed the “right” step. But uneven access is usually not a personal problem. It’s a systems problem. This blog explains what uneven access looks like, why it happens, and why consistent statewide solutions matter.

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.

In light of a very important anniversary, we’re appreciating and reflecting on our Client Assistance Program (CAP). As some may know, Disability Rights Florida (DRF) has nine programs to serve the disability community. CAP which began on February 22, 1984, is one of these nine. So, what better way to honor this anniversary than to highlight CAP and its goals?

Education, access, and outreach are some of our core values at Disability Rights Florida. This year, we have many public events lined up to provide services to you and receive insight from you into what matters most to the disability community. Two types of these public events are Fully Accessible COVID-19 Vaccination Events and Public Forums.

December 3rd is International Day of Persons with Disabilities! This day strives to bring awareness to the experiences of people with disabilities around the globe, promoting the disability community’s rights, dignity, safety, wellbeing, and success. It also calls attention to the treatment of people with disabilities and where there is more work left to do.

As parents and students prepare for the upcoming school year, many may be wondering about services and instruction that were missed during the 2020-2021 school year. Although we are starting a new school year, it is important to ensure that any gaps resulting from missed services or instruction resulting in a failure to implement a student’s individual educational plan (IEP) are addressed. You might ask yourself, “How do I know if my child has any academic gaps, and how can I fix them?”

As the new school year is quickly approaching, we all start to think about what the new school year will look like for students as the pandemic continues. All parents are faced with a tough decision of whether to send their children back to the traditional classroom. This can be daunting for parents with students who have disabilities, especially those with challenging behaviors that may become exacerbated by changes in their school environment.

Since 1986, the Protection and Advocacy (P&A) System in every state has worked through the PAIMI program to protect the rights of individuals with mental health conditions. PAIMI authorizes P&As to investigate abuse and neglect and rights violations in public and private facilities and community settings, oversee the entities that regulate these programs, and ensure access to community-based services and supports. 

Americans have come a long way since the Vietnam Era in their efforts to thank and recognize our brave soldiers when they return home. But when our service members transition permanently from the military back to civilian life, and the welcome home parades and parties are over, oftentimes so too is the vital support they need to be successful.