Contact Information
106 East College Avenue
Suite 820
Tallahassee, FL 32301
888-838-ABLE
(toll-free in Florida)
850-224-4493 Voice or TDD
850-224-4496 Fax
Email:info@abletrust.org
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On Thursday, September 13, 2001, The Able Trust recognized six organizations and one individual as the 2001 Ability Award Honorees. The event was held at the St. Petersburg Hilton in conjunction with the Trust's Symposium on Disabilities. Sharon Griffith, President of The Able Trust, presented the awards on behalf of Governor Jeb Bush.
This year's winners included the following individual and organizations. West Westmoreland, of Jacksonville, was awarded The Able Trust Award for Outstanding Entrepreneur. West is founder of Handicap Accessibility Design & Consultants, which provides assistive technology, products, service, training and development for the visually impaired.
ARC Jackson County, which is designed to assist persons with disabilities in acquiring and sustaining long-term, competitive employment in Marianna, was awarded the Beverly Chapman Award for Outstanding Employment Placement Program.
Aramark, Inc., of St. Augustine, was named Small Employer of the Year for their employment of persons with disabilities at Flagler College.
Hyatt Hotels Corporation., specifically the Hyatt Regency, Hyatt Regency Westshore and Hyatt Orlando, were named Large Employer of the Year for their outstanding leadership in the employment of persons with disabilities through their "No Barriers" program.
Platinum Interactive received the 2001 Media Award in the Promotions Category for their donation of producing and developing an interactive CD Rom for Goodwill Industries Suncoast.
And lastly, ARC Escambia was awarded the 2001 Media Award in the Public Relations Category for the creation of the public affairs program, "Ready, Willing and Able," which showcases employees with disabilities and their employers on local public access television.
The Ability Awards are held annually to 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, ARC Jackson County received a $500 contribution toward its program.
The Able Trust hosted the fourth Symposium on Disabilities, September 11 - September 14, 2001 at the St. Petersburg Hilton. The Able Trust is truly grateful for everyone who attended the event, in light of the national tragedy. Although the mood was somber, overall, we heard outstanding remarks about the event. It proved to be an excellent opportunity for networking and sharing ideas about the latest disability issues.
The Symposium offered a variety of workshop tracks, which covered topics on employment, technology, development, and services for persons living with disabilities. Several presentations focused on employing persons with disabilities with specific topics concerning programs for minorities with disabilities, transportation issues, high tech training, and The Able Trust grants program. Other activities included a welcome reception, luncheon, and The Able Trust's annual Ability Awards banquet.
Sponsors for the Symposium included Abilityforum.com, Children's Haven & Adult Community Services, Inc., Deaf Service Bureau- Tampa, HealthSouth Rehabilitation Hospital, St. Petersburg Convention and Visitors Bureau and VSA Arts of Florida.
Governor Jeb Bush recently established a new toll-free number to provide information on the broad range of disability resources and services available throughout the state. The ADA Clearinghouse was created with the purpose of expanding into a central connection point for people with disabilities, capable of directing a user to existing information and referral systems, or in the absence of the system, other disability resources to address the user's needs. To contact the Clearinghouse, call toll-free 877-232-4968 Voice/TTY or in Tallahassee, 850-922-4103.
If you are a service provider or a resource, or a new source of disability related information, please provide the Clearinghouse with your contact information and an up-to-date listing of your services. Send an email to them at simcokp@dms.state.fl.us.
Thanks to a $500,000 sponsorship from the Occupational Access and Opportunity Commission/Vocational Rehabilitation Services and the State of Florida, The Able trust recently funded eleven new High School/High Tech (HS/HT) projects in Florida.
HS/HT is a collaboration among parents, educators, business leaders and community organizations to help prepare high school students with disabilities for careers in the technology-related industry. Students are given the opportunity to participate in projects that will help prepare them for post-secondary education in the areas of math, science, engineering and technology. Such projects include field trips to NASA/Kennedy Space Center or state universities, career mentorships, meetings with guest speakers and summer internships or part-time employment. With the recent funding from OAOC/VRS and the State of Florida, there are now seventeen active HS/HT projects around the state.
Agencies submitted proposals to establish programs in their local areas. New projects will be located in Orlando at the Valencia Community College Center for High Tech Training and Goodwill Industries of Central Florida; Sarasota at the Suncoast Center for Independent Living and Children's Haven and Adult Community Services, Inc.; Madison with the Madison County School Board; Jacksonville at the Independent Living Resource Center of NE Florida; Tampa with the Hillsborough Education Foundation; Tallahassee at the Center for Independent Living of N. Florida; Tamarac at the Center for Independent Living of Broward; Gainesville at the Center for Independent Living of N. Central Florida; and Viera with the Brevard Schools Foundation.
For more information about these projects or getting a HS/HT program started in your area, contact Donna Mundy, Florida HS/HT Project Director at 321-631-5047 or flhsht@aol.com.
Providing Employment Services? Post your job seekers' resumes online now at RecruitABILITY. For more information, visit
www.disabledperson.com/RecruitABILITY/raagencies.htm.
The Small Business Administration is developing a comprehensive website for entrepreneurs with disabilities. Visit www.sbaresearch.org/.
Wondering if your workplace has adequately prepared to accommodate employees and/or visitors in times of emergency or disaster? The Access Board has some great information and resources online at www.access-board.gov/evac.htm. *Source: Diversity World Focus: Disability -November 13, 2001
The Able Trust is currently accepting applications for the Florida Youth Leadership Forum (YLF), a unique leadership program that will take place July 25 - 28, 2002, in Tallahassee. Fifty rising high school juniors and seniors who have disabilities will be selected as delegates for the forum. The YLF, which is cosponsored 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 on the Florida State University campus. 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.
Applications are available by calling 888-838-2253 or by visiting the website at www.abletrust.org. The deadline to submit an application is December 7, 2001.
