Disability Rights Florida’s 2024 Family Café Conference Presentations

Presentations on Friday, June 14, 2024

Presenting Your Medicaid Fair Hearing 

• Presented by Angela Caldwell 
• Time: 1:30 pm 
• Room: Bayhill 27 
• About: This presentation will assist the attendee and understanding how to present their Medicaid and Medicaid waiver Fair Hearing. Topics during the presentation include: Preparation prior to the Hair hearing; Documentation and evidence to submit to the Fair Hearing Office; How to present your case; and What to expect during and after the Fair Hearing. 

What I Need to Know to Successfully Transition from High School 

• Presented by Victor Panoff, Ann Siegel and Aleya Siegel 
• Time: 1:30 pm 
• Room: Celebration 1 
• About: Disability Rights Florida will present an overview on what a student with a disability should consider when transitioning from high school. We will cover the different options and considerations to prepare the student for life after high school and adulthood, including education, employment, self-determination, and benefits. This presentation will be interactive and open to questions from the participants. Session participants will also receive a copy of the Transition Toolkit and instructions on how to access the guide through Disability Rights Florida's website. 

Disability and Disasters: Rights to Access and Accommodations 

• Presented by Bryan Russell 
• Time: 1:30 pm 
• Room: Celebration 6 
• About: Persons with disabilities disproportionally face challenges and exclusion daily and magnified during all phases of a disaster. Persons with a disability are four times more likely to be injured or killed during a disaster. The health, safety, and independence of persons with disabilities are at a greater risk when emergencies and natural disasters strike. Many federal laws ensure access to emergency preparedness, response, and recovery activities for those with disabilities. This presentation will educate attendees on how these current laws are designed to ensure access to emergency preparedness, response, and recovery activities for persons with disabilities.    

Access the Vote Florida (ATVFL): Voting with a Disability in Florida

• Presented by the Access the Vote Florida Voting Coalition
• Time: 1:30 PM - 2:30 PM
• Room: Celebration 4
• About: Access The Vote Florida (ATVFL) is the Florida chapter of AAPD's REVUP Campaign. REV UP stands for: Register! Educate! Vote! Use your Power! The chapter is a coalition of organizations and self-advocates that are working to raise awareness about issues that impact persons with disabilities, encourage people with disabilities to participate in the voting process, and educate elected officials on issues important to persons with disabilities. The presentation will be an interactive activity that will incorporate voting facts and information. There will also be an accessible voting machine available to sample test. 

Disability Rights Florida Public Input Forum 

• Presented by DRF Staff 
• Time: 3:00 pm 
• Room: Barrel Spring 1 & 2 
• About: Disability Rights Florida wants your input about what issues matter most to the disability community. Each year, Disability Rights Florida reviews its goals and priorities for our legal and advocacy work. We believe these decisions should be based directly on the experiences of individuals with disabilities and their families. Join some of the DRF staff, Board of Directors, and PAIMI Advisory Council-our mental health advisory council-and share issues across all disabilities including physical, intellectual, psychiatric, developmental, neurological, mental health, and others. Topics that you tell us to focus on may include community integration, housing, accessible emergency planning, education, abuse and neglect, accessible mental health services, and more. If you join us, enter to win a $50 gift card and tell us how we can better advocate for your rights.   

Finding the Innate Power Within You to Make Choices 

• Presented by Morgan Patipa 
• Time: 4:30 pm 
• Room: Bayhill 18 
• About: This presentation dives into the world of supported decision-making. It will cover what it is and how to use it. Additionally, we will cover how it benefits individuals with disabilities and their loved ones. 

Presentations on Saturday, June 15, 2024

Planificación para el Futuro de su Hijo: Estrategias Claves para una Colaboración Efectiva del Padre o Cuidador Como Parte del Equipo del lEP 

• Presented by Daysi Ortiz 
• Time: 9:30 am 
• Room: Celebration 11 
• About: Esta presentación le brindará información y estrategias para ayudarlo a abogar y participar como padre o cuidador, significativamente en la reunión del IEP de su hijo(a). Definiremos qué es la colaboración y por qué es fundamental; explicaremos los elementos del Plan Educacional Individualizado (IEP), que envuelve ser un defensor; y discutiremos cómo navegar la cadena de mando dentro del distrito escolar, desde el maestro(a) de su hijo(a) hasta el director(a) de ESE del distrito. Definiremos que es la Transición, los servicios de Rehabilitación Vocacional (VR), y porque es importante estar preparados. Además, brindaremos consejos sobre cómo practicar el poder de la comunicación persuasiva al expresar desacuerdos y sobre la importancia de estar preparados con nuestra documentación antes de las reuniones e interacciones con el personal del Distrito.   

Planning for Your Child's Future: Key Strategies for Parents/Guardians for Effective IEP Team Collaboration 

• Presented by Daysi Ortiz 
• Time: 11:00 am 
• Room: Celebration 11 
• About: This presentation will provide you with information and strategies to help you advocate and meaningfully participate, as a parent or guardian, in your child's IEP meeting. We will define what collaboration is and why it is critical; explain the elements of the Individualized Education Plan (IEP), which involves being an advocate; and discuss how to navigate the chain of command within the school district, from your child's teacher to the district's ESE principal. We will define what Transition is, how it involves Vocational Rehabilitation (VR) services, and why it is important to be prepared for transition. In addition, we will provide tips on how to practice the power of persuasive communication when expressing disagreements, and on the importance of being prepared with our documentation prior to meetings and interactions with District staff. 

Administrative Complaints: The "Squeaky Wheel" 

• Presented by Lauren Eversole and Cortney Donohue 
• Time: 3:00 pm 
• Room: Bayhill 27 
• About: Looking to "make noise" in a constructive way that will get your concerns not only heard, but addressed? Join us for a primer on administrative complaints. Learn what an administrative complaint is and how to file one. Learn the when, where, and how to file individual or systemic complaints in the appropriate administrative agency to confront disability discrimination in education, employment, healthcare, and the community. You will become aware of various federal and state agencies that investigate and resolve disability discrimination complaints, and you will gain a general understanding of their procedures from beginning to end. 

Understanding Florida's Mental Health System 

• Presented by Aaron Victoria and Curtis Filaroski 
• Time: 4:30 pm 
• Room: Celebration 12 
• About: Florida's mental health system is made up of many different agencies, places, and providers. This can make it hard to understand what kinds of services are available for you and your family. It can also make it confusing to know who to contact when you have questions or concerns about service provision. This presentation will provide an overview of which state agencies are part of Florida's mental health system, where you and your family may receive services, and who to contact when you need help. Engaging activities and the chance to ask questions will leave participants better equipped to navigate Florida's mental health system.