This is a resource list for persons with
disabilities regarding support services throughout the nation
and our state of Florida. I have also included the Americans
with Disabilities Act to help individuals with disabilities
to learn about this extremely important federal legislation.
http://www.hcbs.org/
The Home and Community Based Services program has this national
website concerning this huge federal program that assist
persons with disabilities with support services. This website
is a good one regarding issues about the Home and Community
Based Services program. It evaluates each state’s
program by national standards.
http://www.advocacycenter.org/
The Advocacy Center for Persons with Disabilities is a non-profit
organization providing protection and advocacy services
in the state of Florida. There mission is to advance the
dignity, equality, self-determination, and expressed choices
for individuals with disabilities.
http://www.fccflorida.org/
Family Care Council is helping individuals with developmental
disabilities to live the American dream. The mission of
the Family Care Council Florida (FCCF) is to advocate, educate
and empower individuals with developmental disabilities
and their families, partnering with the Agency for Persons
with Disabilities (APD) quality services to individuals
for dignity and choices.
http://www.thecouncil.org/
The Council delivers Person-Centered Solutions that work
to: keep people safe; offer people choices; direct dollars
wisely. The Council on Quality and Leadership is at the
forefront of the movement to create opportunities for people
to live the lives they choose, and to improve the quality
of services and supports for people with disabilities. For
more than 30 years, The Council has worked to implement
person-centered solutions for services and support organizations,
state and national government agencies, regional systems
and networks, and professionals and self-advocates. The
Council is dedicated to ensuring that people with disabilities
have full and abundant lives.
http://apd.myflorida.com/
Agency for Persons with Disabilities. This website is dedicated
to news and other useful information regarding this new
agency in Florida. It is broken down into numerous areas
inside the agency. The Agency for Persons with Disabilities
was formally known as the Developmental Disabilities program
inside the Department of Children and Families services.
http://www.dfmc-florida.org/
The Delmarva Foundation is proud to be assisting the State
of Florida in improving the quality of care for Florida
citizens with developmental disabilities. They offer their
website as one part of our Florida Quality Assurance Program
in the state,
http://www.abilitiesofflorida.com/
Abilities of Florida is a private, nonprofit, and charitable
organization which provides vocational evaluation, skills
training, transitional living, and job placement services
for persons with disabilities throughout the Tampa Bay area
and South Florida. They have been serving persons with disabilities
since 1959, and they are located in Clearwater, Florida.
http://www.abletrust.org/
The Able Trust, also known as the Florida Governor's Alliance
for the Employment of Citizens with Disabilities, is a 501(c)(3)
public-private partnership foundation established by the
Florida Legislature in 1990. Its mission is to be the leader
in providing Floridians with disabilities fair employment
opportunities through fundraising, grant programs, public
awareness and education. Since its establishment, The Able
Trust has awarded over $14 million to individuals with disabilities
and nonprofit agencies throughout Florida for employment-related
purposes. Its programs have enabled approximately 2,000
Florida citizens with disabilities to enter the workforce
each year.
The Americans
with Disabilities Act (known as the ADA) is a civil
rights law for U.S. Citizens with disabilities. The ADA
has five titles:
Title I:
Employment
This title prohibits employment discrimination against individuals
with disabilities in the public sector and government at
all levels. Employers with 15 or more workers are covered.
In addition to banning discrimination, it requires reasonable
accommodations in recruiting, hiring, employing, and promoting
individuals with disabilities. Accommodations for handicapped
individuals are required unless an undue hardship results
to the employer. An undue hardship is usually defined as
a significant expense. Typical accommodations are restructuring
jobs, altering work station layouts, and modifying equipment.
Title II:
Public Services
No qualified individual with a disability may be excluded
by reason of disability from participation in or denied
the benefits of services, activities or programs of a public
entity. Access standards for individuals with disabilities
must be consistent with the minimum standards established
by the Architectural and Transportation Barriers Compliance
Board. Most of the title focuses on public transportation
by bus, rail, taxi and limousines. Air travel was covered
by the Air Carriers Access Act. If a public entity runs
more than a solely commuter bus service, it must provide
services to individuals with disabilities unless an undue
hardship would result. All new public transportation facilities
must be made reasonably accessible. Commuter rail service
must have at least on accessible car.
Title III:
Public Accommodations
This title prohibits discrimination based on disability
in goods, services, facilities, privileges or advantages
in any place of public accommodation or in services operated
by private entities. Under this title it is discriminatory
to fail to remove architectural and communication barriers
in established facilities if removal is readily achievable.
New construction and modifications need to be accessible.
Title IV:
Telecommunications
This section requires telephone relay services to operate
24 hours a day for individuals with hearing and speech impairments.
Rates charged must be consistent with voice communication.
Title V:
Miscellaneous Provisions
This section states that no individual can be discriminated
against because of their role in an ADA complaint or investigation.
Other provisions further clarified the law.
You can find more information on the ADA
government website.
