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Special Session is Here


By Barbara Palmer
Today begins the Special Legislative Session in Tallahassee. The Agency for Persons with Disabilities (APD) will be at the Capitol continuing to make sure lawmakers are aware of important APD funding issues we hope will be addressed in the final budget.

Governor Appoints Seven to FCCs


Governor Rick Scott recently announced two appointments and five reappointments to Family Care Councils (FCCs) across the state.
ADA 25th Anniversary Logo.

ADA 25th Anniversary Celebration


Make plans to attend the 25th Anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) celebration on July 24 in Tallahassee.
APD customer Ryan Crosby and Store Manager Debra Keaton are all smiles at the Publix store on Mahan Drive in Tallahassee, where Crosby has worked for more than 15 years.

Fabulous 15


Ryan Crosby has been working at the Publix on Mahan Drive in Tallahassee for more than 15 years.

Around the State

A pavilion in Sunland’s Environmental Park is filled with art for Art in the Park on May 2.

Sunland Holds Art in the Park


The Environmental Park came alive with color and creativity on Saturday, May 2, when APD’s Sunland Center in Marianna held its first annual Art in the Park exhibit.
Tacachale staff member Naguana Walker, right, and resident Mary M. wear the special medals they received as the Inspirational Coach and Athlete for Alachua County.

Tacachale Athletes Shine at Summer Games


Eleven athletes travelled from Gainesville to Lake Buena Vista to represent Tacachale Center at the Florida Special Olympics State Summer Games on May 15 and 16.
The transition meeting in Homestead on April 30 is well attended.

Time for Transition


Late in the afternoon on Thursday, April 30, I found myself at the southernmost edge of Miami-Dade County. I had been invited to a transition meeting with parents and students with special needs.
Southern Region Manager Evelyn Alvarez settles in for a training session at the Miami-Dade County Emergency Operations Center.

This Is Not a Drill!


On Thursday, April 16, Southern Region Manager Evelyn Alvarez and I took part in a training session at the Miami-Dade County Emergency Operations Center (EOC) in Doral.

 

Tiffine Dennard

Arc Gateway PALS Show Progress


The first semester of The Arc Gateway’s Program for Adult Learning and Support (PALS) is almost over. It's hard to believe, but true. The students have shown such incredible progress!

 

Live music is provided at lunch by Sunland Center’s Voices of Change—employee Donna Conrad and residents Michelle B. and Glenn B.

Disability Is Natural


The Northwest Region Area One Family Care Council along with The Arc of Florida and Marcus Pointe Baptist Church sponsored a Disability Is Natural workshop for the community on May 12 at the church in Pensacola.
APD staff member Katrina Washington, left, and Region Manager Lynne Daw, both of APD’s Northwest Region, display the Making a Difference Award that was presented to Washington and Cindy Drew of the Central Region.

APD Employees Earn Award


Two APD employees were named recipients of a Making a Difference Award 2015 by the Florida Division on Career Development and Transition (FLDCDT).
Mildretta Williams of Daytona Beach and a mannequin wear purple in observance of World Lupus Day. She is dressing mannequins to break into the fashion business. Photo courtesy of the Daytona Beach News-Journal.

Gainesville Church Hosts Friendship Group


The United Church Gainesville (UCG) has a Sunday school class for teens and adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities (I/DD) whose parents are church members.

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