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Employment First Florida Staff FDDC

Session Recordings: The Florida DD Network Collaborative Leadership Program Half-day virtual conference

In August 2020, the Florida DD Network Collaborative Leadership Program, funded by the Florida Developmental Disabilities Council, hosted a half-day virtual conference to discuss strategies, initiatives and recommendations to promote successful employment for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities. 

Employment First Florida is happy to share recordings of the 4 sessions! If you have any questions about the conference, please contact Holly Hohmeister at hollyh@fddc.org.

Continue reading “Session Recordings: The Florida DD Network Collaborative Leadership Program Half-day virtual conference” →
Employment First Florida Staff Other, Resources for Educators, Resources for Employment Service Professionals, Toolkit

Employment First Florida Employment Empowerment Toolkit!

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Since 2015, Employment First Florida local collaborative sites have been on the cutting edge of creating solutions to help people with disabilities get the help they need to work. To further support local communities in Florida to prioritize employment for individuals with disabilities, the Institute for Community Inclusion has developed the Employment Empowerment Toolkit. The toolkit is designed to support job seekers, families, teachers, case managers, employment staff, and other direct support staff to make employment the first option for all Floridians with disabilities.

Continue reading “Employment First Florida Employment Empowerment Toolkit!” →
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Employment First Florida Staff FDDC, In the news, Transportation

Transportation: Recommendations from the FDDC

We all know how important frustrating transportation can be. It’s one of the main issues people seem to struggle with and we are always looking to solutions. It would be nice if Oprah could give us all new cars but that just isn’t a reality.

Back in 2017, the FDDC conducted a study to look for ways to help people with disabilities find good options for transportation.  They found 5 areas of need:

  • More money
  • Stronger agencies
  • More driver training
  • More routes and hours
  • Additional issues

Read the report to learn about their recommendations and advice.

Employment First Florida Staff FDDC, Presentations, Resources for Employers, Resources for Employment Service Professionals, Videos

Interview with Valerie Breen, Florida Developmental Disabilities Council

Valerie Breen, executive director of the FDDC, joined Employment First Florida on July 28, 2020 presentation to highlight the collaborative work being done to support the Employment First Florida initiative.

The initiative grew out of the council’s seven year commitment to improve employment opportunities for persons with disabilities. From 2013 until present, the council’s investment in time and dollars has resulted in many returns. Listen to Valerie’s recording to learn more.

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Employment First Florida Staff FDDC, In the news

Sarah thinks accommodations should be the norm. We do too.

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Sarah Goldman

In August 2020, the Orlando Sentinel published an article by FDDC member Sarah Goldman. In it Sarah provides an eye-opening perspective on accessibility and how society should consider accommodating needs for all abilities. Read Sarah’s inspiring message by clicking here. 

If you are having trouble reading the article on the website, click here for a PDF version.