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The Florida Grantor, Summer 2001

FGA Update

Dept. of Elder Affairs Secretary Addresses FGA Advisory Council

On Tuesday, June 14, Florida Department of Elder Affairs Secretary Gema Hernandez addressed the Florida Governor's Alliance Advisory Council in Tallahassee. Secretary Hernandez spoke about Elder Ready Communities, an initiative of the Florida Department of Elder Affairs that was announced during Older Americans Month in the year 2000.

Secretary Hernandez spoke of how the Elder Ready Communities initiative helps communities to identify the areas where they need improvement in order to become Elder Ready in their own local area and by using their own community standards.

The Initiative will provide information about local communities that will help motivate local officials to undertake the Elder Ready Communities survey and provide a survey instrument which can be utilized by local community volunteers.

Because many of the community improvements suggested in the Elder Ready Communities initiative will serve all Floridians, including people with disabilities. Secretary Hernandez is encouraging individuals with disabilities to assist with completing surveys in their areas.

For more information about how to become involved in the Elder Ready Communities initiative, visit the Florida Department of Elder Affairs website at http://elderaffairs.state.fl.us or contact Madeline Smith, Director, External Affairs at 850-414-2000.

New Dialing System in Florida to Assist Deaf Callers

Florida will become the 32nd state to introduce the new 711 system, which will link callers who are deaf or hearing impaired through relay operators in Miami. Persons who are deaf with text-telephones or computers with the right software will be able to have their written messages relayed by voice to the people they are calling. Callers trying to reach deaf persons can have their voices translated to text. Every state must start using the 711 system by October under a decree from the Federal Communications Commission.

Statewide ADA Conference To Take Place in August

The ADA Working Group will hold a statewide ADA conference from August 15 - 17, 2001 at the Wyndham Resort in Orlando.

Workshops will address the Ticket to Work and Work Incentives Improvement Act, Hearing Assistive Technology, IDEA, ADA Case Law Developments, and much more. Continuing education credits will be offered for rehabilitation counselors, lawyers, social workers and building officials. For more information, call 850-487-3423.

Disabled Sports USA Hosts Employment Conference

Disabled Sports USA will host a three day conference highlighting employment opportunities in sports and recreation for people with disabilities. Challenge 2001: Disabled Sports Employment Conference will be held September 5 through 7 at the Renaissance Hotel in Washington, DC.

A series of seminars will cover such topics as hiring guidelines and work place accommodations specified in the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), interviewing techniques, recreation accessibility laws, small business opportunities, and federal "Ticket to Work" programs with new healthcare benefits.

Registration for the three-day conference is $199. For more information, call Disabled Sports USA at 301-217-0960 or TTY 301-217-0963.

Florida APSE To Host Third Annual Conference

The Florida Association for Persons in Supported Employment will host its annual conference August 29 - 31 at the Cocoa Beach Hilton. Breakout topics will include Innovative Practices, Career Planning, School-to-Work and more. For information, call Billy Rhodes at 321-632-8610 or Suzy Hutchinson at 561-221-4050.

The Ticket to Work Comes to Florida - All Aboard!

ALL ABOARD is an exciting opportunity to learn about the new Ticket to Work and Work Incentives programs being introduced by the Social Security Administration for SSDI and SSI beneficiaries. Florida is one of the first thirteen states in which this new program will be "rolled out." The Ticket provides new tools and incentives designed to address many of the fears and barriers faced by individuals with disabilities who receive Social Security disability benefits and want to work. Initiatives include changes in SSA policy and regulations, increased health care access as a state option, and increased choice for consumers needing rehabilitation, training and placement services.

Attendees will learn about the basic elements of the Ticket to Work and Work Incentives Improvement Act of 1999 and the complementary grant funded programs that will support the Ticket. Workshop topics will include the Basics, Benefits Planning Assistance and Outreach Services, Health Care Access, Access to Work - Increased Consumer Choices, Access to Advocacy and Protection Services, and the Workforce Innovation Grant - DOL. The session will also include a Roundtable Discussion and Networking.

Individuals with disabilities, advocates, educators, support coordinators, support specialists, workforce development staff, human service and disability practitioners should plan to attend.

Workshops are scheduled in the following cities: August 2 in Tallahassee; August 3 in Jacksonville; August 21 in Orlando; August 22 in Dania/Ft. Lauderdale; and October 2 in Tampa.

ALL ABOARD is presented by the Capstone Consulting Group, Inc. and sponsored by The Able Trust/Florida Governor's Alliance for the Employment of Citizens with Disabilities, US Department of Health and Human Services, Administration on Developmental Disabilities and the Florida Developmental Disabilities Council, Inc.

For more information about workshops in your area, call Barbara Butz at the Capstone Group at 850-421-6605 or babutz3948@aol.com.

Taking Applications for the 2002 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 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 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 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.

To receive an application, click here. The deadline to submit an application is December 7, 2001.