Florida Developmental Disabilities Council

08/12/2026

Friendly reminder to listen to the Florida Developmental Disabilities Council's (FDDC) podcast, “Our Work Matters.”

Episodes are available on the FDDC podcast webpage through the link in our comments.

Whether you are a self-advocate or a family member/caregiver of an individual with intellectual and developmental disabilities (I/DD), this podcast has tools to help you advocate for the developmental disabilities community and promote inclusion in your state and local community.

Join Dr. Christine Reeve, a Program Director at the Florida Developmental Disabilities Council (FDDC), as she interviews project partners, family members, caregivers, and self-advocates about ways to help advocate in your community and explore resources available from the FDDC.

Your journey to advocacy starts here. Join the community!

08/12/2026

Back-to-school planning can look different for every family. For families of children with disabilities, it may include reviewing an IEP or 504 plan, preparing for a new routine, checking that supports are ready, and connecting with the school team.

The Arc’s back-to-school guide shares helpful steps families can take before and during the school year. It includes tips for supporting your child, understanding their education rights, building self-advocacy skills, and addressing concerns early.

You do not have to figure it all out alone. Read the guide through the link in our comments.

08/11/2026

For more than 30 years, the Florida Developmental Disabilities Council (FDDC) has worked alongside people with intellectual and developmental disabilities (I/DD), their families, and support professionals across our state.

In Fiscal Year 2025, we continued that work with strong progress in Year 4 of our 5-year state plan, providing training, sharing practical tools, and advocating for meaningful systems change. Together, these efforts help people with I/DD live healthy, meaningful lives in their communities.

Our Annual Report highlights these efforts and shares how federal funding supports projects that improve policies, programs, and opportunities statewide.

📘 Read the full 2025 Annual Report and see the impact through the first link in our comments!

08/10/2026

The Our Care Matters video series has now reached 1,131,846 video plays, and we're incredibly grateful to everyone who has watched, shared, and supported these stories!

If you haven't had a chance to watch the series, we invite you to take a few minutes to hear these powerful stories from communities across Florida.

Watch the series now through the link in our comments.

08/07/2026

The start of a new school year brings excitement for many families — backpacks to fill, classrooms to visit and teachers to meet. But for families of children with autism and other developmental disabilities, back-to-school often brings a different set of questions. Will my child’s needs be understood? Will the support outlined in the Individualized Education Program (IEP) actually be implemented? How will my child handle new routines, unfamiliar classmates or unexpected changes? What happens if new challenges arise?

Too often, parents wait until something goes wrong before asking for help. In reality, the strongest school transitions begin well before the first day of class.

Every year, families reach out to the University of Miami Center for Autism & Related Disabilities (CARD) with many of the same concerns. Some are helping children transition from the flexibility of summer to the structure of school routines. Others have questions about changing schools, moving to a new grade, special education eligibility, classroom placement, bullying, IEP implementation or communicating effectively with teachers. These concerns are remarkably consistent, spanning every stage of a student’s educational journey, from preschool through high school.

The director of UM’s Center for Autism & Related Disabilities writes that preparation can mitigate the stress of the coming school year; asking for help is not a sign of failure.

08/07/2026

The Early Childhood Autism Program (ECAP) at Florida State University Panama City is partnering with the Arc of the Bay to expand therapy services to adults with developmental disabilities.

The collaboration, Cultivating Abilities with Resources Education and Support (CARES), was made possible through a $25,000 grant from the St. Joe Community Foundation. The foundation presented the grant during the Arc of the Bay’s 10th Annual Kohl’s Fashion Show on July 25, where community members, supporters and partners gathered to celebrate inclusion and learn about the new initiative.

The CARES Program brings together two organizations dedicated to serving individuals with disabilities and their families. Through the partnership, ECAP will expand its applied behavior analysis services to support the Arc of the Bay’s Adult Day Training Program.

The Early Childhood Autism Program (ECAP) at Florida State University Panama City is partnering with the Arc of the Bay to expand therapy services to

08/06/2026

Assistance dogs do important work every day. They help people with disabilities live with greater independence, confidence, and access in their communities.

During International Assistance Dog Week, we celebrate these amazing dogs, the people they support, and the importance of high standards for training, care, and animal welfare.

Learn more about assistance dogs and their life-changing impact through the link in our comments.

08/06/2026

⌛Deadline extended until 8/15: Apply today to be an FL SAND fellow!

The FL SAND ("Self Advocates Network'D") Fellows Leadership Program is an immersive training program for experienced self-advocate leaders committed to further development of problem-solving, leadership, and advocacy skills.

Applications are being accepted for the 2026-2027 fellowship year. You can find an application and more info at the first link in our comments.

08/04/2026

FDDC Council Member Carla Mercer and Director of Programs Jennifer Chung, PhD, are representing FDDC at the 2026 Florida Conference on Aging.

Be sure to stop by and say hello!

08/03/2026

Quest’s Camp Thunderbird is giving children and adults with developmental disabilities the chance to enjoy a traditional summer camp experience while providing respite for their families and caregivers.

Located at Wekiwa Springs State Park, the camp has served individuals with developmental disabilities since 1969.

Camp Thunderbird is like a traditional summer camp. Campers participate in activities including swimming, sports, crafts and team competitions, with programs designed to accommodate a wide range of abilities, from individuals with autism and Down syndrome to those who require around-the-clock assistance.

Here you will only find counselors serving campers with developmental disabilities.

"We serve both adults and children with developmental disabilities," said Faye Murphy, Vice President of Training Centers and Recreation at Quest’s Camp Thunderbird. "So we service the full spectrum of developmental disabilities, including autism, down syndrome, cerebral palsy. We have individuals who are ambulatory, unable to walk and physically able to do most things right through to individuals who are non-ambulatory who require assistance with every aspect of their daily life."

Quest's Camp Thunderbird is an inclusive summer camp in Florida providing recreational activities for children and adults with developmental disabilities. The week-long program gives campers the opportunity to build friendships, gain independence, and compete in team events such as the annual “Thu...