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The Florida Grantor, Fall 2002

FOOTNOTES

Gainesville HS/HT Project Recognized

Center for Independent Living of North Central Florida (CIL) was recently named the 2002 Florida High School/High Tech Project of the Year by The Able Trust.

CIL's Alachua County High School/High Tech (HS/HT) program helps teens with disabilities learn more about technology in an effort to prepare them for post-secondary education and ultimately the high-tech workforce. Activities include field trips to high tech sites, career shadowing with local businesses and summer internships.

CIL's Alachua County High School/High Tech project operates at two local high schools, Gainesville High School and Buchholz High School.

Recently, the CIL expanded the program to serve students in both Marion and Citrus Counties. CIL is one of fourteen HS/HT projects in Florida.

Family Cafe Set for May 2003

The Family CAFE, a free conference for individuals with special needs or disabilities and their family members, will take place May 30 through June 1, 2003, at the Hyatt Orlando.

The event features keynote speakers, workshops and networking to help participants enhance the skills that enable them to navigate the systems of service for individuals with disabilities. Special guests include Governor Jeb Bush and other key policymakers.

For more information about presenting or registering for the conference, visit the website at www.familycafe.net.

BLN Expands Website to Provide More Resources

The Florida Business Leadership Network (BLN) recently launched a new website and listserv, which will provide employers with access to news articles and information regarding disability employment issues.

The site, which is located at www.abletrust.org/bln, will include a hiring resources section, which has numerous fact sheets about working with various types of disabilities, making workplace accommodations and resource listings for doing so and a best practices link , which outlines programs that other BLN member employers have found successful.

Additionally, the site enables employers to sign up for the BLN electronic newsletter, which will feature monthly updates on disability employment issues and resources available in Florida.

If you have a suggested link or need more information about the site, contact Kristen Knapp, APR, at kristen@abletrust.org.

FAAST Alternative Financing Program

The Florida Alliance for Assistive Services & Technology (FAAST) has developed the FAAST Alternative Financing Program to help consumers purchase assistive technology and accessible services needed for school, work, home and recreation.

Any individual with an ADA defined disability is eligible to apply for the loan. The minimum amount an individual can borrow is $500, with a maximum amount of $20,000. Applicant criteria includes having a disabling condition; wanting to purchase assistive technology or accessibility for assistive technology, and having the ability to repay the loan.

Loan applications can be made with the Centers for Independent Living in Florida or at a FAAST Regional Demonstration Center, located in Tallahassee, Tampa, Jacksonville and Miami. A Loan Application Specialist will assist individuals in developing their loan package as well as developing credit history. In addition to the principal and interest on the loan, all loans have a $75.00 loan processing fee, which is paid at loan closing to AmSouth.

For more information about the Alternative Financing Program, call FAAST at 888.788.9216.

ENABLE AMERICA Hosts Kickoff Event

ENABLE AMERICA will host a Town Meeting on December 9, 2002, in Tampa. The event is designed to address employment issues for people with disabilities. The event is free and will include legislators, members of Congress, business people, consumers and anyone who is interested in the issues that affect people with disabilities.

Registrations are encouraged as space is limited. For more information, call 727.789.2038 or visit the website at www.enableamerica.com.

*This is not an Able Trust affiliated event.