Governor Ron DeSantis Speaks at the 23rd Annual Family Café

Governor Ron DeSantis spoke at the 23rd Annual Family Café in Orlando on June 11. The Family Café is the nation’s largest cross-disability annual event and connects people with unique abilities and their families with a variety of products, services, and resources.

Governor DeSantis highlighted three APD customers during his remarks, then posed with them for photos afterword. Here are the highlights.



Agency for Persons with Disabilities Director Barbara Palmer said, “I want to thank Governor DeSantis for always making time to participate in Family Café. His presence here means the world to many families because it demonstrates his strong support of individuals with disabilities, and continued commitment to ensuring all citizens of our state have access to the assistance and services they need. Governor DeSantis is making sure all Floridians can achieve their dreams.”

Family Café President and CEO Lori Fahey said, “We greatly appreciate Governor DeSantis attending the 23rd Annual Family Café.  The Governor has personally participated every year he has been in office. His presence means a great deal to our families and to individuals with disabilities. We are grateful not only for his unwavering support for The Family Café but also for the significant support his administration has shown toward Floridians with disabilities. Governor DeSantis has been a true champion.”    


Governor Ron DeSantis spoke at the 23rd Annual Family Café in Orlando.


Governor DeSantis highlighted three APD customers during his remarks.

APD presented six live and three recorded informational session on a variety of areas during the conference to educate the public about the agency’s programs. APD Director Barbara Palmer hosted a session with more than 100 attendees.



APD Emergency Coordination Officer Karen Hagan presented two live sessions. One on Disaster Preparedness, Response & Recovery and the other on the state’s response to the COVID-19 pandemic along with the Department of Health.


APD Emergency Coordination Officer Karen Hagan

APD Program Administrator Liesl Ramos presented two sessions. One on Eligibility for Participation in APD Services. The other one was a joint session with Vocational Rehabilitation on employment.


APD Program Administrator Liesl Ramos

The final live presentation was on APD’s Resource Directory and Florida Navigator given by Stephanie Rogers with the Communications Office. The Agency for Persons with Disabilities has two web-based tools to assist individuals with developmental disabilities and their families. The Community Resource Directory connects individuals with disabilities to available resources and organizations, as well as events in their respective areas. Additionally, the agency launched the Florida Navigator, a tool designed to inform users of state government programs available in Florida.


Stephanie Rogers

The Family Café provides individuals with disabilities and their families with an opportunity for collaboration and advocacy. It is a three-day event that has been meeting since 1998. The event consists of educational sessions during the conference providing an array of information and activities for attendees.