Able Trust
The Able Trust believes that when people with disabilities want to work, they should. The Trust supports individual non-profit       vocational rehabilitation programs throughout Florida with fund-raising, grant making and public awareness of disability issues     Agency for Workforce Innovation
The Agency for Workforce Innovation is Florida’s lead state workforce agencCynthia R. Lorenzo, Interim Directory and directly    administers the state’s Labor Market Statistics program, Unemployment Compensation, Early Learning and various workforce development programs.

Brain Injury Association of Florida
The Brain Injury Association of Florida informs, educates, supports and advocates for Florida’s 210,000 families living with traumatic brain injury.

Brain and Spinal Cord Injury Program
The Brain and Spinal Cord Injury Program (BSCIP) is administered by the Florida Department of Health. The program is funded through a percentage of traffic related fines, surcharges for driving or boating under the influence, fees on temporary license tags, and a percentage of fees from the motorcycle specialty tag.
There is Help. Active Duty Military/Veterans in Florida With a Brain or Spinal Cord Injury

Disability Rights Florida
Formerly the Advocacy Center for Persons with Disabilities, Disability Rights Florida is the official, Governor-designated protection and advocacy system for the State of Florida. Our mission is to advance the dignity, equality, self-determination and expressed choices of individuals with disabilities.

Employ Florida
Employ Florida links all of Florida’s workforce services–state and local–to each other.

Family Network on Disabilities of Florida
Family Network on Disabilities of Florida is a statewide alliance of individuals with disabilities, special needs, or at-risk and their families. Our mission is to provide family-driven support, education, information and advocacy.

Florida Alliance for Assistive Services and Technology (FAAST)
FAAST envisions a seamless supportive partnership between Florida businesses and government to provide assistive technology products and services which will enable persons with disabilities to participate in independent living, education, work and recreation from birth to death.

Florida Association of the Deaf
The Florida Association of the Deaf is an organization that promotes Deaf, Hard of Hearing, and Late Deafened Floridians to interact with each other as well as with the hearing community, legislature and agencies/organizations serving Deaf, Hard of Hearing, and Late Deafened citizens.

Florida Commission for the Transportation Disadvantaged
We are an independent commission housed within the Florida Department of Transportation. Our Mission – To insure the availability of efficient, cost-effective, and quality transportation services for transportation disadvantaged persons.

Florida Commission on Community Service
The mission of our organization is to strengthen communities through volunteer service. In carrying out our mission we partner with community based organizations, non-profits, businesses, communities of faith, government entities, and colleges and universities.

Florida Developmental Disabilities Council
The Florida Developmental Disabilities Council, Inc., advocates and promotes meaningful participation in all aspects of life for Floridians with developmental disabilities.

Florida Independent Living Council
The Florida Independent Living Council is a statewide council established by federal mandate and Florida Statute.

Florida Registry of Interpreters for the Deaf (FRID)
The principal purposes of FRID are to initiate, sponsor, promote, and execute policies and activities that shall further the profession of interpreting and transliterating, to include, but not be limited to American Sign Language, English, and Spanish.

Florida Telecommunications Relay, Inc
Florida Telecommunications Relay, Inc. (FTRI) is a statewide non-profit 501(c)3 organization that administers the Specialized Telecommunications Equipment Distribution Program for citizens of Florida who are Deaf, Hard of Hearing, Deaf/Blind and Speech Impaired.

Florida’s One-Stop Centers
Workforce Florida, Inc. and the Agency for Workforce Innovation are partners in the Employ Florida network which includes 24 Regional Workforce Boards who deliver services through nearly 90 One-Stop Career Centers around the state.

Governor’s Blue Ribbon Task Force on Accommodations and Access for Students with Disabilities (PDF document)
The Blue Ribbon Task Force worked to provide the fullest testing participation by students with disabilities and the greatest possible accommodations, without jeopardizing the validity or reliability of the FCAT.

Online Sunshine (Florida’s Legislature)
Official Internet Site of the Florida Legislature.

Statewide Florida Quality Assurance Program
The Delmarva Foundation for Medical Care is proud to be assisting the State of Florida in improving the quality of care for Florida citizens with developmental disabilities. We offer this website as one part of our Florida Quality Program. In it you will find an explanation of our program, services and resources for consumers, contact information for sending us your questions or concerns, and more.

The Florida Directory of Early Childhood Services
For additional information concerning children with disabilities and special health care needs call: (800) 654-4440.

University of South Florida – Rehabilitation Engineering & Technology Program
This service is offered to VR consumers after approval by a VR counselor. The services offered are: Adaptive Computer Modifications, Driver Evaluations, Driver Training Specialist, Home Modifications, Vehicle Modifications, Wheelchairs, or Worksite Assistive Technology and/or Rehabilitation Technology Suppliers (including web-based vendors.)

Workforce Florida Inc.
Workforce Florida is the statewide, business-led workforce policy board charged with overseeing the state’s workforce system.

www.FLDisabilityInfo.com
Created by the Governor’s Commission on Disabilities, this enhanced website provides links to local, state and national resources on disability information and services.

National Links

Access Board
The United States Access Board is a federal agency committed to accessible design.

ADA Technical Assistance Program
The ADA National Network provides information, guidance and training on the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA).

Americans with Disabilities Act Home Page
The Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 gives civil rights protections to individuals with disabilities similar to those provided to individuals on the basis of race, color, sex, national origin, age, and religion. It guarantees equal opportunity for individuals with disabilities in public accommodations, employment, transportation, State and local government services, and telecommunications.

ARC HomePage
ARC is the largest national community-based organization advocating for and serving people with intellectual and developmental disabilities and their families. They encompass all ages and all spectrums from autism, Down syndrome, Fragile X and various other developmental disabilities.

ARCLink
Now individuals and families seeking resources and advice on home and community-based services can find detailed information on service providers within this Web site. Our goal is to provide an open forum that empowers individuals to make sound choices based on accurate, up-to-date information.

Association for Late-Deafened Adults
The Association of Late-Deafened Adults is about communication and acceptance of every deafened individual. ALDA reaches out to deafened individuals regardless of age of onset who are seeking their place as a deafened person.

disAbility.gov
Disability.gov is an award-winning federal government website that provides an interactive, community-driven information network of disability-related programs, services, laws and benefits.

Federation of Families for Children’s Mental Health
The mission of the Federation of Families for Children’s Mental Health is to provide leadership in the field of children’s mental health and develop necessary human and financial resources to meet its goals.

Gallaudet University
Gallaudet University is the world leader in liberal education and career development for deaf and hard of hearing undergraduate students.

Hearing Loss Association of America (HLAA)
The Hearing Loss Association of America (HLAA) is the nation’s leading organization representing people with hearing loss.

Job Accommodations Network
The Job Accommodation Network (JAN) is the leading source of free, expert, and confidential guidance on workplace accommodations and disability employment issues.

LD Online
An interactive guide to learning disabilities for parents, teachers, and children.

National Association for the Dually Diagnosed
NADD is a not-for-profit membership association established for professionals, care providers and families to promote understanding of and services for individuals who have developmental disabilities and mental health needs.

National Association of the Deaf (NAD)
NAD is the nation’s premier civil rights organization of, by and for deaf and hard of hearing individuals in the United States of America.

National Center for Dissemination of Disability Research (NCDDR)
NCDDR focuses on making disability-related research findings useful in applied settings.

National Center on Secondary Education and Transition
The National Center on Secondary Education and Transition (NCSET) coordinates national resources, offers technical assistance, and disseminates information related to secondary education and transition for youth with disabilities in order to create opportunities for youth to achieve successful futures.

National Clearinghouse for Professions in Special Education (NCPSE)
The National Clearinghouse for Professions in Special Education (NCPSE) is committed to enhancing the nation’s capacity to recruit, prepare, and retain well qualified diverse educators and related service personnel for children with disabilities.

National Collaborative on Workforce and Disability for Youth (NCWD/Youth)
NCWD/Youth is your source for information about employment and youth with disabilities.

National Council on Disability
The National Council on Disability (NCD) is an independent federal agency making recommendations to the President and Congress on issues affecting 54 million Americans with disabilities.

National Federation of the Blind
The National Federation of the Blind is the largest and most influential membership organization of blind people in the United States.

National Institute on Disability and Rehabilitation Research
The National Institute on Disability and Rehabilitation Research (NIDRR) provides leadership and support for a comprehensive program of research related to the rehabilitation of individuals with disabilities.

National Mental Health Services/ Knowledge Exchange Network (KEN)
CMHS is charged with leading the national system that delivers mental health services. The goal of this system is to provide the treatment and support services needed by adults with mental disorders and children with serious emotional problems.

National Spinal Cord Injury Association
The National Spinal Cord Injury Association is the nation’s oldest and largest civilian organization dedicated to improving the quality of life for hundreds of thousands of Americans living with the results of spinal cord injury and disease (SCI/D) and their families.

National Technical Institute for the Deaf
The National Technical Institute for the Deaf (NTID) is the world’s first and largest technological college for students who are deaf or hard of hearing.

Online Disability Museum
This is a searchable, theme-based digital collection offering documents and images related to disability history in the United States drawn from public and private collections around the country.

Postsecondary Education Programs Network
PEPNet provides resources and expertise that enhance educational opportunities for people who are deaf or hard of hearing.

TATRA (Technical Assistance on Transition and the Rehabilitation Act)
This national project provides training, information and materials to parent center staff across the country who are helping the families of youth with disabilities learn about transition, independent living and vocational rehabilitation services.

Think Beyond the Label
Think Beyond the Label is committed to making the business case for employing people with disabilities. They are a partnership of health and human service and employment agencies with federal grants, coming together to build a uniform national infrastructure and approach that connects businesses to qualified candidates with disabilities. Their goal is to raise awareness that hiring people with disabilities makes good business sense.

Think Beyond the Label (YouTube video)

U.S. Department of Labor – Office of Disability Employment Policy

Agency Programs

• Early Learning
  AWI’s Office of Early Learning is responsible for implementation of the state’s Child Care Resource and Referral, School Readiness, and Voluntary Prekindergarten (VPK) programs.

• Office for Civil Rights
  AWI’s Office of Civil Rights is responsible for ensuring nondiscrimination and equal opportunity in employment, programs or services that receive federal financial assistance through the Agency for Workforce Innovation and to ensure nondiscrimination and equal opportunity in employment, programs or services within the Agency for Workforce Innovation.

• Office of the Inspector General
  The Office of the Inspector General detects and investigates fraud, management abuse or misconduct in any Agency for Workforce Innovation program or services.

• Unemployment Compensation
  Through the unemployment insurance program, AWI provides temporary wage replacement benefits to those who have lost their job through no fault of their own.

  Special Unemployment Compensation Programs

• Workforce Services
  AWI is the Governor’s agency for disbursement of federal workforce funds. Florida’s workforce system ensures that Florida’s businesses can hire the well-trained workers they need.

  Special Workforce Services Programs

  
  

Early Learning

• Child Care Resource and Referral Program
  Provide help to families looking for answers to their questions regarding how to identify quality child care and early education programs and how to locate a provider that meets the needs of each family.

• School Readiness Program
  The School Readiness program offers qualified parents financial assistance for child care through a variety of services. These services include extended-day, extended-year, and school age care for children to support parents in becoming financially self-sufficient.

• Voluntary Prekindergarten Program (VPK)
  The VPK program helps prepare four-year-olds for kindergarten and build the foundation for their educational success. The program allows a parent to enroll his or her eligible child (four years old by September 1 and residing in Florida) in a free VPK program. The program is voluntary for children and providers.

• Office of Early Learning (Homepage)

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Unemployment Compensation

• Unemployment Compensation Program
  Unemployment insurance provides temporary wage replacement benefits to qualified individuals who are out of work through no fault of their own.

Special Unemployment Compensation Programs

• Disaster Unemployment Assistance
  If you have been working or residing in an officially declared disaster area and are now unemployed as a result of the disaster, you may be eligible for Unemployment Compensation Benefits or Disaster Unemployment Assistance.

• Short Time Compensation Information for Employees
  A special claims program that pays partial benefits to groups of employees working reduced hours. Employers may elect to participate in this program to retain valued employees by reducing hours for an entire group of employees instead of resorting to temporary layoffs.

• Short Time Compensation Information For Employers
  A special claims program that pays partial benefits to groups of employees working reduced hours. Employers may elect to participate in this program to retain valued employees by reducing hours for an entire group of employees instead of resorting to temporary layoffs. Application Form for Employers.

• Trade Readjustment Assistance — Training Assistance Allowance
  Trade-affected workers covered under a certified Trade Act petition who have been totally or partially separated from their jobs because of increase imports or a shift in production may be eligible to receive TRA benefits. These benefits provide assistance to workers who are looking for work or who are enrolled in an approved training program. TRA is an extension of regular unemployment benefits payable at the same weekly benefit amount.

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Workforce Services

• Agricultural Services Program
  Assist Workforce Boards in operating an outreach and employment program for migrant and seasonal farm workers (MFSW).

• Alien Labor Certification Program
  For answers to your Alien Labor Certification related questions.
  

• Disability Program Navigator
  The Disability Program Navigator (DPN) Initiative is a joint venture between the Department of Labor and the Social Security Administration.

• Displaced Homemaker Program
  The Displaced Homemaker Program assists program participants in attaining independence and economic security.

• Federal Bonding Program
  Provides information on how fidelity bonds can be used as a job placement incentive to place Florida applicants with employers.

• Food Stamp Employment & Training Program (FSET)
  Find information on the FSET program, inquiry codes for the FLORIDA System, forms and reports.

• Labor Market Statistics
  Find labor market data for Florida.

• Reemployment and Emergency Assistance Coordination Team (REACT)
  Florida’s dislocated worker unit, REACT – Reemployment and Emergency Assistance Coordination Team, is the state’s focal point in dealing with the dislocation of Florida’s workers.

• Trade Adjustment Assistance (TAA)
  This program is designed to assist workers who have been laid off or jobs have been threaten as a result of foreign competition. Workers covered under a certified Trade Act petition are eligible to receive an array of services and benefits to include training, reemployment services, job search, relocation allowances, trade readjustment allowances, wage subsidy for older workers and health coverage tax credit benefits.

• Veterans Program
  Information related to program services such as job referrals, job development, referrals to training and supportive services, case management, labor marker information, resume assistance and more.

• Wagner-Peyser
  Information about the labor exchange program that brings together individuals who are seeking employment and employers who are seeking workers.

• Welfare Transition Program
  The Welfare Transition Program helps people go from welfare to work.

• Work Opportunity Tax Credit Program
  Find information on tax credits and incentives for employers.

• Worker Adjustment and Retraining Notification (WARN)
  The Worker Adjustment and Retraining Notification Act (WARN or the Act) provides protection to workers, their families and communities by requiring employers to provide notification 60 calendar days in advance of plant closings and mass layoffs.

• Workforce Investment Act
  Everything you wanted to know about the Workforce Investment Act, including the Florida Workforce Innovation Act 2000, the Florida Workforce Investment Act State Plan, Questions and Answers.

• Office of Workforce Services (Homepage)

Special Workforce Services Programs

• Career and Professional Education Act of 2007
  The Florida Career and Professional Education Act was created to provide a statewide planning partnership between business and education communities, to expand and retain high-value industry, and sustain a vibrant state economy.
  
• Military Family Employment Advocacy Program
  The Military Family Employment Advocacy Program (MFEA) is a state program designed to deliver priority workforce services for eligible military and family members through Military Family Employment Advocates located in local One-Stop Career Centers. The Advocates are located in those Regional Workforce Boards that are responsible for areas that include or are near military bases and communities with a large population of military families within the State.