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The Florida Grantor, Spring 2004

Footnotes

Tampa Training to Cover Supported Employment

Vocational Rehabilitation Counselors and Support Coordinators can take advantage of a two day training that will provide information and materials designed specifically for their supported employment needs. The training will provide strategies for collaborating with state systems that impact supported employment, as well as up-to-date information about key state service agencies and initiatives specific to supported employment. The training will take place at Nova Southeastern in Tampa on April 7 and 8th. For registration information, visit www.card-usf.fmhi.usf.edu or call 813.974.4581.

Aviation Toll-Free Hotline Cards

The Office of the Assistant General Counsel for Aviation Enforcement and Proceedings (Enforcement Office), established a toll free telephone number that consumers who experience disability-related air travel problems may use to obtain information and assistance. The aviation consumer disability toll-free hotline, which is staffed from 7 am to 11 p.m. local time in Washington, D.C., seven days a week, provides general information to consumers about the rights of air travelers with disabilities and assists air travelers in resolving time-sensitive disability-related issues that need to be addressed in real time. To increase awareness of the existence of the hotline and in response to a disability rights advocate’s suggestion, the Department has produced and has available business cards with the toll-free hotline number, which can be easily carried by air travelers with disabilities. To receive copies of the hotline business card, please contact the hotline, at 800.778.4838 (voice) or 800.455.9880 (TTY).

The Able Trust Receives National Distinguished Service Award

The National Association for Adults with Special Learning Needs, a national organization of nearly five hundred educators, vocational rehabilitation professionals and other professionals, honored The Able Trust with a Distinguished Service Award at its national conference in Tampa on March 8, 2004.

The award, accepted by Sharon Griffith, President, noted the many agency grants The Able Trust has made to enable persons with learning and other disabilities in the State of Florida, enabling them to secure employment. The Able Trust has awarded over $14 million since its establishment in 1990, with almost $272,000 designated to organizations serving persons with special learning needs.

Support the Bikers Care Tag

Starting in April, motorcycle enthusiasts will have an opportunity to show their colors and show they care wherever they ride. Florida’s first motorcycle specialty license plate, the “Bikers Care tag” will be available for purchase at your local Tax Collector’s office.

Proceeds from the $15 additional fee will benefit The Able Trust, along with the Brain and Spinal Cord Injury Program, the Centers for Independent Living and Prevent Blindness Florida. The tag could raise hundreds of thousands of dollars for people with disabilities each year.

For information about where to purchase the new Bikers Care tag, visit www.abletrust.org/bikerscaretag.

Volunteers Needed for Security Task Force Project

The North Florida Region Domestic Security Task Force is seeking volunteers with disabilities to participate in a mock exercise that addresses bioterrorism issues. The “Beleagured Bus” exercise will take place in thirteen counties in the North Florida region. The first exercise is sponsored by the Leon County Health Department with assistance from Florida State University.

Volunteers with disabilities are needed to serve as passengers, who will help act out a bioterrorism scenario, after which teams from law enforcement, emergency medical services, hospitals, health departments and service organizations will respond. For more information about participating, contact Janet Dilling at 850.644.9961 or Jack Pittman at Jack_Pittman@doh.state.fl.us.

Free Videos for Deaf Consumers

The US Department of Education’s Captioned Media Program provides free, loan videos to deaf and hard-of-hearing persons. More than 4,000 titles including movies, educational and special interest videos are available. For details, visit www.cfv.org.