Resources

Informational Materials

Commonly Used DD Acronyms & Abbreviations. People with disabilities, parents, teachers, caregivers and professionals in the disability world have their own language, often referred to as “Alphabet Soup” because it is a mess of acronyms and abbreviations. People not familiar with to this world often talk about how confusing it is. Here is a simple glossary of the acronyms and abbreviations.

People First Language: A Guide for Young People. The way we talk to and about people with disabilities is very important. It is important that we focus more on the person then the disability. To help us do this we can use “People First Language”.

Web Resources

 The Agency for Persons with Disabilities works in partnership with local communities and private providers to assist people who have developmental disabilities and their families. We also provide assistance in identifying the needs of people with developmental disabilities for supports and services.

The Bureau of Exceptional Education and Student Services administers programs for students with disabilities and for gifted students. Additionally, the bureau coordinates student services throughout the state and participates in multiple inter-agency efforts designed to strengthen the quality and variety of services available to students with special needs.

The CARD-USF Learning Curve is an online resource that provides interesting and interactive stories, ideas, resources and materials for teachers of students with autism or a related disability.

The Center on the Social and Emotional Foundations for Early Learning (CSEFEL) is focused on promoting the social emotional development and school readiness of young children birth to age 5. CSEFEL is a national resource center funded by the Office of Head Start and Child Care Bureau for disseminating research and evidence-based practices to early childhood programs across the country.

The Children’s Board of Hillsborough County promotes the well-being of children and families by uniting community partners, investing in innovative opportunities, and leading the county in best practices—so the whole community can realize its full potential..

The Family Center on Technology and Disability provides a wide range of resources on assistive and instructional technologies, from introductory fact sheets through CEU's for practitioners and educators. The Family Network on Disabilities of Florida is a statewide network of families and individuals of all ages who may be at-risk, have disabilities or have special needs, and their families, professionals and concerned citizens. We provide education and training as well as information about various forms of services available throughout Florida.

The Florida Center for Inclusive Communities (FCIC) at the University of South Florida was established in October 2005 through a University Centers for Excellence in Developmental Disabilities Education, Research, and Service grant award from the Administration on Developmental Disabilities. Through leadership in research and evaluation, theory, policy, capacity building, and practice the FCIC is committed to developing a range of supports and services in the areas of Community Supports, Early Childhood, Transition, Education, Employment, Health, Interdisciplinary Training, Public Policy, and Cultural Competence.

The purpose of the Florida Development Disabilities Council is to ensure that individuals with developmental disabilities and their families participate in the design of and have access to needed community services, individualized supports and other forms of assistance that promote self-determination, independence, productivity, and integration and inclusion in all facets of community life, through culturally competent programs.

The Florida Diagnostic and Learning Resources System (FDLRS) provides diagnostic and instructional support services to district exceptional student education programs and families of students with exceptionalities statewide. FDLRS supports the State education goals of high student achievement, safe schools, and high performing workforce. FDLRS activities reflect these goals and demonstrate outcomes toward accomplishing them. Funding is provided through federal and state dollars through the Bureau of Exceptional Education & Student Services (BEESS).

Florida's Personnel Development activities focus on recruitment, preparation, professional development, and retention of highly qualified and effective educators. The purpose of this website is to provide a single access point for individuals seeking information related to both preparation and professional development for personnel working with exceptional student education (ESE) programs.

Going to College: A Resource for Teens with Disabilities contains information about living college life with a disability. It is designed for high school students. The site provides video clips, activities, and resources that can help them get a head start in planning for college. Video interviews with college students with disabilities offer a way to hear firsthand from students with disabilities who have been successful. Modules include activities that will help students explore more about themselves, learn what to expect from college, and equip them with important considerations and tasks to complete when planning for college.

Manitas por Autismo (A little hand for autism) is a new Web site, created by families for families, provides information in Spanish about autism spectrum disorders. In addition to the Web site, a chat room and public forum area currently are under development.

Project 10: Transition Education Network is Florida’s statewide discretionary project supporting the secondary transition of youth with disabilities.  It is funded by the Bureau of Exceptional Education and Student Services (BEESS), within the Florida Department of Education. Project 10’s primary charge is to assist school districts in providing appropriate planning and timely transition services and programs to assist youth with disabilities in their transition to adulthood.