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The Florida Grantor, Fall 2000

FGA Update

The Able Trust is Proud to Announce the 2000 Ability Award Honorees

On Thursday, October 5, 2000, The Able Trust recognized three organizations and one individual as the 2000 Ability Award Honorees. The event was held at the Wyndham Westshore Plaza in Tampa. Florence Bonsuk, Vice Chair of The Able Trust, presented the awards on behalf of Governor Jeb Bush.

This year's winners included the following individual and organizations. Leonardo Banes, of Boynton Beach, was awarded The Able Trust Award for Outstanding Entrepreneur. Banes is founder of A Solution for Your Special Needs, which provides assistive technology, products, service, training and development for the visually impaired.

Epilepsy Services of Southwest Florida/Sarasota, which is designed to assist persons with epilepsy in acquiring and sustaining long-term, competitive employment, was awarded the Beverly Chapman Award for Outstanding Employment Placement Program.

Eastern Metal Supply, Inc., of Lake Worth, was named Employer of the Year for their outstanding leadership in the employment of persons with disabilities.

The Lake City Reporter received the 2000 Media Award for publishing articles and photographs that recognize the achievements of citizens with disabilities and highlight their abilities.

The Ability Awards are held annually in October in honor of National Disability Employment Awareness Month. They recognize individuals, non-profit agencies, employers and other organizations that have made outstanding contributions to the state for increasing employment opportunities for Florida citizens with disabilities. Each award winner competed on a state level and was recognized for their efforts with a commendation from Governor Jeb Bush. In addition, Epilepsy Services received a $500 contribution toward its program.

"A New Paradigm of Disability" Goes Online

"A New Paradigm of Disability, A Bibliography," has been compiled by members of the President's Committee's Communication Subcommittee and is available online. All entries in this annotated bibliography "illustrate an authentic view of disability," according to Anthony Tusler, editor. Other members of the team include Betsy Bayha, Elaine Brodey, Steve Brown, Melanie Fry, Tari Susan Hartman, Edward J. Heaton, Kathlene McCarthy-Barnett, Greg Smith, Zara Buggs Taylor and Linda Walls.

The bibliography is organized by categories: Community/Culture; Disability Studies; Family, Children & Sexuality; History; Identity; Policy/Civil Rights; Children & Young Adults; Radio; Movies; WorldWide Web (Internet); Publications and Videos. The bibliography focuses on disability experience, identity, pride, passion, intellect and community, and is meant to be a "living document" which will be continually updated. Recommendations and suggestions are welcome. To view this document, go to www.aboutdisability.com.

Disability Rights Conference To Be Held in Orlando

The President's Committee's Labor Subcommittee and the Civil and Human Rights Department, AFL-CIO will host a Disability Rights Conference on December 7 and 8, 2000, at the Hotel Royal Plaza in Orlando. The conference will feature workshops on Organizing, Political Action, Legislative and Legal Developments, Collective Bargaining, Ergonomics and Assistive Technology.

Invited speakers include Tony Coelho, Chairman of the PCEPD; Linda Chavez Thompson of the AFL-CIO; Paul Miller of the EEOC; Richard Trumpka of the AFL-CIO and Jim Dixson of the Disability Vote Project.

For more information, contact the PCEPD Labor Subcommittee at 412-562-2492 or the AFL-CIO at 202-637-5270.

Division of Blind Services Announces Availability of Funds

The Division of Blind Services is pleased to announce the availability of awards from the Gifts and Donations Funds. The purpose of these awards is to provide assistance and/or funding to entities with an interest in serving Floridian's who are blind or visually impaired. The award period begins July 1, 2001 and ends June 30, 2002. Applications must be turned in to The Division of Blind Services, Director's Office, 2551 Executive Center Circle, W., Suite 200, Tallahassee, FL 32399 no later than 5:00 PM, January 15, 2001, for consideration.

Applications may be requested through Phyllis Dill at the above address, or by calling 850-488-1330; or through the Florida Dual Party Relay System which can reached at 800-955-8770 (Voice) or 800-955-8771 (TDD); or online at http://fcn.state.fl.us/dbs/.

ADA Report Released

The U.S. Commission on Civil Rights has just released a Draft of its report "Sharing the Dream: Is the ADA Accommodating All?" Some of the findings/recommendations include:

• That the original vision of the ADA needs to be restored.
• That more accurate data is needed on employment rates and types for people with disabilities.
• That Congress should increase tax credit (currently $15,000) for businesses that incur costs for reducing workplace barriers.
• That the EEOC should have funding to provide education and training to employers on issues related to psychiatric disabilities.
• That the EEOC should develop a "Handbook of Best Practices" for employers on issues of substance abuse.

For a copy of the full report, see http://www.usccr.gov/ada/main.htm.

DOT Seeks Public Comment on Airline Service to Disabled Passengers

The U. S. Department of Transportation's (DOT) Office of Inspector General (OIG) is seeking public input on how airlines are accommodating the needs of air travelers with disabilities and special needs. The OIG will use this information as part of its report to Congress due December 31, 2000. To complete the form online, go to www.oig.dot.gov and click on "Airline Customer Service." To obtain a hard copy, call 800-884-91910/V.

Taking Applications for Youth Leadership Forum

The Able Trust is currently accepting applications for the Florida Youth Leadership Forum (YLF), a unique leadership program that will take place July 12 - 15, 2001, in Tallahassee. Forty rising high school juniors and seniors who have disabilities will be selected as delegates for the forum. The YLF, which is co-sponsored by The Able Trust and the Florida Developmental Disabilities Council, is designed to bring together young people with disabilities who demonstrate leadership and help prepare them for the future.

Student delegates will reflect a diverse mix of disabilities, gender, geographic location, and ethnicity. Applicants should demonstrate leadership potential, participation in extracurricular activities, community involvement, and academic achievement. Students should have the ability to interact effectively with other students, adapt to new surroundings, follow an intense schedule of forum activities, and demonstrate a willingness to participate in small and large group discussions.

The YLF will include educational programs that cover topics such as the history of the disability movement, personal leadership plans, career opportunities, and academic and community resources. Students will learn leadership by example through meetings with disability community leaders, business professionals and government dignitaries. In addition, social and recreational opportunities will enable delegates to network and learn from each other.

Students will be housed at Southgate, a private dormitory between Florida State University and Florida A & M University. There is no fee for delegates to attend the YLF. The Able Trust will pay all travel and living/meal expenses through corporate sponsorships and donations.