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The Florida Grantor, Fall 2003

President's Message

Recently The Able Trust completed its statewide study of employers' attitudes toward hiring people with disabilities. Facilitated by Florida State University, this study gave interesting insight to the barriers that face people with disabilities in the workforce.

Results found that most employers are unfamiliar with the support systems available to them. As a result The Able Trust's Business Leadership Network will embark on new strategies in fiscal year 2004 to educate employers about the resources available to them to hire people with disabilities. In addition, we'll be partnering with groups such as the Florida Chamber of Commerce to develop disability awareness programs for employers across the state.

We will also continue to assist service providers by funding grants for successful employment projects. The new fiscal year began with almost $400,000 in grants awarded, and we look forward to receiving more innovative proposals in the coming months.

We were also thrilled to receive the recent news that The Able Trust was awarded a federal grant of $990,000 over five years from the Office of Disability Employment Policy. The grant will help expand upon the Florida High School/High Tech program for students with disabilities.

As the new year approaches, we are making plans to promote the new motorcycle specialty license plate as another source of revenue for disability programs funded through The Able Trust. We are also accepting entries for the Ability Awards, which will be given out to winners in February 2004. This year we're pleased to announce that George W. Koehn, CEO of SunTrust Banks Florida, will serve as our keynote speaker for the event.

We hope you will take advantage of the many activities we have planned and share your feedback along the way. Feel free to contact our office with any suggestions or input.