Resources
Resources for Individuals With Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities
Please note that the resources listed on this site are provided for your convenience. FGCU GIDDI does not endorse, sponsor, or recommend any specific resource. The resources here will provide support to FGCU students with intellectual disabilities and improve in their learning and being able to graduate on time too! This is also for the community of SWFL to see what partnerships GIDDI did in the past.-
Local and State Agencies
Toggle More InfoLocal and State Agencies
Tab Title Active Tab Content Check out all the resources more will be updated and added!Educational active
About: ABLE Academy is a school dedicated to implementing behavioral science in its school programs and clinical services.
ABLE Academy uses Applied Behavioral Analysis to ensure that its students are provided with a wide range of proper resources and behavioral programming.
About: Autism Collier Charter School provides a much-needed specialized environment for students with autism. Our mission is to provide a safe, nurturing, and innovative learning space where every student can thrive and reach their full potential.
About: De LaSalle Academy educates children with learning challenges, providing a safe, supportive, and nurturing environment, where each student’s diverse ability is honored and valued.
About: Easterseals makes a lasting difference each year by providing essential services to children and adults with disabilities, older adults, veterans, and their families.
Family Initiative/ Thrive Academy
About: Family Initiative is focused on children with ASD, their future, their talents, their hopes and dreams. Fi’s Thrive Academy will empower ASD youth and young adults while providing an opportunity for students through an individualized approach to learning.
Academics will focus on English Language Arts, Mathematics, Social Studies, and Science that will follow standards-based instruction.
About: LARC, Inc., provides quality services to individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities in Lee County and northern Collier County. They offer vocational training, residential services, and community inclusion, aiming to empower and support their full potential.
About: Transforming the lives of people with intellectual and developmental disabilities through social, vocational and educational community connections while strengthening awareness and respect for all abilities.
About: Serving families with children that have special needs to build a better and accessible feature for all students through professional learning.
Impact for Developmental Education Inc.
About: Providing a safe environment for the preschool children with special needs praving the road to a brighter future. This also helps parents be provided with in-home instruction of toddlers too to help them grow and strengthen their learning skills to promote more communication and strength.
Healthcare About: At Accessible, we value care that changes with everyone’s needs. Needs change as society changes, and technology is always there to adapt along the way. Incorporating technology into our personalized care plans allows us to connect with you and your loved ones in ways never done before. Emerging technologies, care plans, and patient portals take our care to the next level.
About: FOCUS is a top provider of pediatric therapy in Southwest Florida. Our services include speech therapy, occupational therapy, physical therapy, behavior therapy/ABA, and feeding/swallowing therapy.
About: The Golisano Children's Hospital in Southwest Florida - a standalone, state-of-the-art facility that opened in 2017 - is on a mission to deliver vital and lifesaving care for children and their families throughout the region.
Our highly trained staff believes that every child is special. Children deserve innovative care in an environment that soothes anxiety and fear. All of us - doctors, nurses, advocates, social workers, and volunteers - share that vision and care for you like family.
John Hopkins All Children's Hospital
About: Johns Hopkins All Children's doctors, nurses, therapists and staff work in the Outpatient Care Center, bringing some of our most frequently needed medical, laboratory and therapeutic services to a convenient location.
Our caring professionals have years of experience in meeting the medical and rehabilitative needs of children of all ages, from infants through teens.
Play on Words Pediatric Therapy
About: Play on Words Therapy is excited to serve the community of Naples. We empower you and provide you with the support system and tools needed to make a positive change in your child’s life.
About: Ronald McDonald House Charities® of Southwest Florida provides essential services that remove barriers, strengthen families, and promote healing when children need healthcare.
About: SPOT Therapy Associates is committed to providing therapy services in a caring and compassionate manner.
We believe that our patients and families are individuals with unique health care needs requiring assistance to achieve one's optimum level of health and function.
It is our goal to provide quality service to assist the client and caregiver in achieving their maximum functional potential.
Area Agency on Aging in Southwest Florida
About: A nonprofit organization introduced in 1978, the mission is to improve the services for the older adults and people with disabilties in seven counties in Florida including ones in SWFL. AAASWFL empowers the community to grow more in positive aging for a better and healthy life.
Employment active Employment Network of SW Florida
About: We empower individuals with disabilities through employment, connecting them with meaningful opportunities to thrive.
About: Goodwill Industries of Southwest Florida is committed to serving people with disabilities and disadvantages by offering life-changing opportunities to achieve independence.
About: LARC, Inc., provides quality services to individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities in Lee County and northern Collier County. They offer vocational training, residential services, and community inclusion, aiming to empower and support their full potential.
About: Our community-based outreach program, Trailblazer Academy, is a person-centered, holistic approach that provides participants with a broad range of support to engage in lifelong learning through enriching experiences, learning new skills, building new relationships, and finding new ways to move from just being in the community to being a valued part of the community.
About: A nonprofit disability employement service creating an inclusive workforce for the disablited community in helping them find the job they need.
About: Providing skills to help the disabled community of SWFL grow in their careers and fields with partenrship with EmployFlorida.
About: Support the people with disablities in helping them provide business solutions to the government customers and for the community to grow more in employment.
Advocacy active About: CARD is a community-based program funded by the Florida Department of Education through an annual grant.
Services are delivered at no cost wherever families, professionals, schools, agencies or businesses are located within our 14-county region in southwest Florida. There are seven regional CARD centers in the state of Florida.
Visit the state-wide CARD Regional Site Directory.
* extension office located at Modular 2- the GIDDI offices
Education Advocates of America
About: Education Advocates of America is here to support you. Whether you had a challenging conversation with a teacher or your child's essential services have been disrupted, we are just a phone call away. Our team is ready to assist you with understanding your options and advocating for your child's needs. Click below to call us now for immediate support.
About: The ESE Family Council of Lee County advocates for students with disabilities, shaping district policies and ensuring accountability. A collaborative space for families, caregivers, and stakeholders committed to impactful improvements for ESE services.
About: The MVP Autism Foundation is dedicated to helping individuals with Autism and other varying abilities achieve their highest human potential. Access to educational, social, vocational, and communication opportunities will help achieve this goal.
About: LARC, Inc., provides quality services to individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities in Lee County and northern Collier County. They offer vocational training, residential services, and community inclusion, aiming to empower and support their full potential.
About: Autism Books displays books to help the autism community thrive and learn how they can overcome the challenges they have by reading the stories.
Resource Center active Autism Collier Resource Center
About: Autism Collier was founded with a simple yet powerful goal: to ensure that no family navigating autism has to do it alone.
Independent Living
About: CARD is a community-based program funded by the Florida Department of Education through an annual grant. Services are delivered at no cost wherever families, professionals, schools, agencies or businesses are located within our 14-county region in southwest Florida. There are seven regional CARD centers in the state of Florida. Visit the state-wide CARD Regional Site Directory.
* extension office located at Modular 2- the GIDDI offices
FGCU Golisano Intellectual & Developmental Disabilities Initiative
About: The Golisano Intellectual & Developmental Disability Initiative (GIDDI) was established at FGCU through funding from the Golisano Foundation.
It was created to enhance communication among Southwest Florida agencies serving individuals with intellectual and/or developmental disabilities of all ages and to identify gaps and needs for supports and services within this population. When these gaps and needs are identified,
GIDDI partners with local organizations to help build programs, services, and infrastructure that improve the quality and quantity of services and support available to those in need.
GIDDI helps connect FGCU faculty, students, and staff with the area community to build a workforce with improved skills and awareness of the unique needs of those with IDD, making FGCU a welcoming campus and a support for their success.
GIDDI provides opportunities and collaborates with campus units to maximize support for students with intellectual and/or developmental disabilities, enabling them to thrive.
Independent Living About: To provide residential and community based programs and services enhanced with Christian care, for adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities.
About: Goodwill Industries of Southwest Florida is committed to serving people with disabilities and disadvantages by offering life-changing opportunities to achieve independence.
About: LARC, Inc., provides quality services to individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities in Lee County and northern Collier County. They offer vocational training, residential services, and community inclusion, aiming to empower and support their full potential.
Recreational About: Our mission is to show the world that everyone has a voice. At ATP, we demonstrate how people of all abilities can overcome challenges and make a lasting impact. We’re redefining mainstream children’s and teen entertainment with a bold message for the next generation: no matter our circumstances, we achieve anyway.
Together, our artists—both with and without autism—create original, professional productions for stage and screen.
We use videos of ATP productions to teach empathy, resilience, and perseverance in schools and educational programs. Our drama workshops, open to students of all abilities, use role-play to build empathy, social skills, and effective communication.
About: Best Buddies serves individuals with IDD and their families. The IDD community includes, but is not limited to, people with Down syndrome, autism, Fragile X, Williams syndrome, and other undiagnosed disabilities
About: We make a lifetime commitment to changing lives and providing hope through the consistent delivery of FREE educational, therapeutic, and career development programs for individuals with Down syndrome, their families, and the community, using a replicable playhouse model.
About: We build community through exceptional access to the power of theatre.
About: The program provided there has individual plans to provide support for the disabled community by providing quantity in life.
About: This program provides horses wih therapeutic riding to help develop your skills and needs to build more life skills and bond with horses to show a connection no matter what challenge you're facing in.
Southwest Florida Water Management
About: There are many opportunties outside to get involved in nature and even more space for the mobily-impaired to get their movement in and enjoy the trails, picnic areas for a lunch break, boardwalks, plants and more established by ADA.
Recommend a Resource If you know of a resource that is not listed , please feel free to submit a "Recommend a Resource" form below
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Children
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Children Agencies active About: CARD is a community-based program funded by the Florida Department of Education through an annual grant.
Services are delivered at no cost wherever families, professionals, schools, agencies or businesses are located within our 14-county region in southwest Florida. There are seven regional CARD centers in the state of Florida.
Visit the state-wide CARD Regional Site Directory.
* extension office located at Modular 2- the GIDDI offices
Data and Statistics on Autism Spectrum Disorder
About: This website provides the latest data on Autism Spectrum Disorder from the CDC ADDM Network.
National Center on Birth Defects and Developmental Disabilities. (2025, April 15). Data and statistics on autism spectrum disorder.U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Retrieved May 21, 2025, from https://www.cdc.gov
Agency for People with Disablities
About: Supports individuals with disalbities with their families in living and learning with the communties.
About: Focusing on kids to have accessibity for better technology and grow at summer camp to improve in their communication skills.
Children Blogs If you know of a resource that is not listed , please feel free to submit a "Recommend a Resource" form below
Personal story on disability rights with a student and Indian teacher
This blog tells about a student named Erin who was born with autism and had trouble remembering things and reading as well as speaking. Her teacher is from India and is named Priyanka who they met online and helped her grow in the education with special needs and improve in learning. Priyanka grown as a teacher too and was blessed to teach Erin to achieve something she wants in life to succeed.
Children Informational Articles About: This research article provides tips to dining with loved ones who have autism.
Juarez, M., Bartling, K., Ehlers, K., & Rego, A. (2014). Let’s go out to eat: Creating a sensory-friendly dining experience for children with autism spectrum disorders and their families.https://www.researchgate.net/publication/273410286
*Must request article from author to view
A Resource Guide Developed by Project Transition Interagency Council
Mission: Project Transition’s Mission is to expand and strengthen collaborative relationships among families, students, agencies, schools, and
community resources to provide successful transition of young adults with disabilities by increasing their awareness of all available past school options.
Project Transition Interagency Council. (2016). Secondary Transition. The School District of Lee County. https://www.leeschools.net/common/pages/GetFile.ashx?key=Xgz1AVTy
Preparing for College With Dyslexia
About: This resource provides individuals with resources to prepare themselves, or their loved one, for college or the workforce with dyslexia.
Hamblet, E. (2024, December 11). Preparing for college with dyslexia. Child Mind Institute. https://childmind.org/article/preparing-college-with-dyslexia/
The use of sensory environments with autistic children
This article explains the benefits of a sensory room to autistic children and how it can benefit their lives to succeed in school.
Children Peer-reviewed Articles If you know of a resource that is not listed , please feel free to submit a "Recommend a Resource" form below
Children Media
active This clip from Sesame Street is a tool to support children’s understanding of children with autism. It can be used to support a child’s friendship building with those who have different abilities.
This animated short film shows how a disabled boy named Ian turns bullies into friends at a playground with the hightlight of disability awareness.
Disney Disabled movies and shorts
The movies and shorts can be streamed on Disney+ and teach more on how the characters handles the challenges they face with a disability.
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Adolescents
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Tab Title Active Tab Content Adolescents Agencies active About: CARD is a community-based program funded by the Florida Department of Education through an annual grant.
Services are delivered at no cost wherever families, professionals, schools, agencies or businesses are located within our 14-county region in southwest Florida. There are seven regional CARD centers in the state of Florida.
Visit the state-wide CARD Regional Site Directory.
* extension office located at Modular 2- the GIDDI offices
About: Established in 2002 to help ones with disablities have programs to be created to reach their goals to begin independence and expanded in 2017.
Adolescents Blogs A Resource Guide Developed by Project Transition Interagency Council
Mission: Project Transition’s Mission is to expand and strengthen collaborative relationships among families,
students, agencies, schools, and community resources to provide successful transition of young adults with disabilities by increasing their awareness of all available past school options.
Project Transition Interagency Council. (2016). Secondary Transition. The School District of Lee County. https://www.leeschools.net/common/pages/GetFile.ashx?key=Xgz1AVTy
Preparing for College With Dyslexia
About: This resource provides individuals with resources to prepare themselves, or their loved one, for college or the workforce with dyslexia.
Hamblet, E. (2024, December 11). Preparing for college with dyslexia. Child Mind Institute. https://childmind.org/article/preparing-college-with-dyslexia/
Adolescents Informational Articles If you know of a resource that is not listed , please feel free to submit a "Recommend a Resource" form below
Adolescents Peer-reviewed Articles If you know of a resource that is not listed , please feel free to submit a "Recommend a Resource" form below
Lives of adolescents and children with disablities
This article explains about the lives faced with disabilities and how it relates in different countries and how children and adolescents face challenges in different countries and figuring out what they can do to overcome the barriers faced. Diversity plays a huge role here every child and adolescent has an unique life and challenges faced.
Airin Mutiarasari, Rina Mustika, Wicy Elvi Septiani & Muthia Atika Fajri
(2025) The lives of children and adolescents with disabilities, Disability & Society, 40:8,2333-2335, DOI: 10.1080/09687599.2024.2418205
Sensory Room with mental health settings
Doroud, N., Cappy, M., Grant, K., Scopelliti, M., McKinstry, C., & McMahon, D. (2025). Sensory Rooms within Mental Health Settings: A Systematic Scoping Review. Occupational Therapy in Mental Health, 41(1), 38–58. https://doi.org/10.1080/0164212X.2024.2308290
The sensory room has many benefits for adolescents to improve in heir mental health and studies show they perform better in their classes and get better grades too and feeling more relaxed to prepare for exams.
Challenges and opportunities in adolescent intellectual disability care and rehabilitation
This study shows nurse managers helping adolescents in rehabilitation and being great development to ones in limited needs for ones also from developing countries to bring more change where they are.
Malapela RG. Challenges and opportunities in adolescent intellectual disability care and rehabilitation. S Afr Fam Pract (2004). 2024 Feb 29;66(1):e1-e7. doi: 10.4102/safp.v66i1.5798. PMID: 38572884; PMCID: PMC10913067.
Listening to the voices of adolescents with intellectual disabilities
Ghaleb H. Alnahdi, Arwa Alwadei, Susanne Schwab,
Listening to the voices of adolescents with intellectual disabilities: Exploring perception of post-school transition,
Research in Developmental Disabilities,
Volume 151,
2024,
104770,
ISSN 0891-4222,
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ridd.2024.104770.
(https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0891422224001021)
Abstract: Background
Life skills play a key role in the transition of a child with intellectual disabilities into a young adult. According to previous research, students with intellectual disabilities often lack such skills. However, most studies on this topic have been conducted on teachers or parents. Limited studies are available on adolescents with intellectual disabilities. Therefore, this study investigates how adolescents with disabilities perceive their competence in life skills post-school.
Method
The sample consisted of 201 adolescents with disabilities (67 % with mild intellectual disabilities and 33 % with other disabilities).
Results
The results revealed that adolescents with intellectual disabilities' perception of their life skills in all areas (independent living, personal money management, community involvement and usage, leisure activities, health, and social/interpersonal relationships) was significantly lower compared to adolescents with other disabilities. In four out of the six sub-scales, female respondents reported that their competence level in life skills was lower compared to males. In addition, adolescents with disabilities in daycare centers stated that they could establish better social and personal relationships when compared to adolescents from other schools.Keywords: Adolescents with disabilities; Post-school transition; Life skills; Transition Planning Inventory; Intellectual disability; Rehabilitation
Adolescents Media Genre: Adventure, Comedy, Drama
Rated: PG-13
Synopsis: Zak, a man with down syndrome, runs away from a residential nursing home to pursue his dream of becoming a wrestler. Later, he meets with an outlaw who becomes his friend and coach.
Nilson, T., & Schwartz, M. (Directors). (2019). The Peanut Butter Falcon. [Film]. Armory Films; Lucky Treehouse; Bona Fide Productions; Endeavor Content.
Champions (adults)
Genre: Sports comedy drama
Rated: PG-13
Synopsis: After a former minor league basketball coach loses his temper in a game, he is court ordered to lead a team of individuals with IDD. As the team prepares for a regional championship, unexpected bonds
and friendships are formed. Themes of teamwork, compassion, and human dignity are notable throughout the film.
Farrelly, B. (Director). (2023). Champions. [Film]. Gold Circle Films; Seven Deuce Entertainment.
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Adults
Toggle More InfoAdults
Tab Title Active Tab Content Adults Agencies active The Citizens Program provides an opportunity for adult mentorship and friendships through one-to-one buddy pairing.
About: CARD is a community-based program funded by the Florida Department of Education through an annual grant.
Services are delivered at no cost wherever families, professionals, schools, agencies or businesses are located within our 14-county region in southwest Florida. There are seven regional CARD centers in the state of Florida.
Visit the state-wide CARD Regional Site Directory.
* extension office located at Modular 2- the GIDDI offices
Community Resource Network of Florida
About: Life Skills Program in Ft. Myers: “provides training in daily living, self-advocacy, business, communication, and adaptive and social skills”.
Inclusive Postsecondary Education for Students with Intellectual Disabilities
About: PACER provides more information on Inclusive Postsecondary Education (IPSE) programs for individuals with disabilities.
National Parent Center on Transition and Employment. (n.d.). Inclusive postsecondary education for students with intellectual disabilities. PACER Center.
Persons with a Disability: Labor Force Characteristics Summary
About: This resource provides statistics on disability in the labor force, including those employed, unemployed, and general data.
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. (2025, February 25). Persons with a disability: Labor force Characteristics – 2024. U.S. Department of Labor.
Mission: Preparing young people with significant disabilities for success in competitive integrated employment.
Talking Books Library: Lee County
A free program that provides accessible books for people of all ages who have different abilities. Audio and braille books and tools are offered instead of standard print.
Vocational rehabilitation services
About: Florida Department of Education provides a step-by-step process to assist adults with disabilities in preparing for and securing a job that aligns with personal interests and abilities.
Mission: The WOW center provides access to opportunities and resources for adults with developmental disabilities and the communities that support them.
Freida B. Smith Special Populations Center
Mission: To promote independence by offering growth and support with connection to the adults and teens for safety environment.
Mission: Achieve community education and help achieve the highest level of independence while maintaining a healthy and fun lifestyle.
Adults Blogs Autism, dyslexia, ADHD: How colleges are helping ‘neurodivergent’ students succeed
About: The Hechinger Report introduces a new center in the University of San Diego called the Center for Embodied Equity and Neurodiversity.
Sanchez, O. (2024, June 6). Autism, dyslexia, ADHD: How colleges are helping “neurodivergent” students succeed. The Hechinger Report. https://hechingerreport.org/
College students’ guide to managing ADHD
About: This article provides education and guidance about individuals with ADHD in a college setting.
SingleCare. (2024, August 13). College students’ guide to managing ADHD. The Checkup. https://www.singlecare.com/blog/college-students-adhd/
Labor Day and Employment for People with Disabilities
About: Alycia Anderson discusses her personal experiences in the workforce as someone with a disability, and the issues in the workforce community.
Anderson, A. (2021, September 6). Labor Day and employment for people with disabilities. LinkedIn. https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/labor-day-employment-people-disabilities-alycia-anderson/
Program Innovation: Peer Support for Neurodivergent Students
About: This website provides more information about MOSSAIC (Mentoring, Organization, and Social Support for Autism/All Inclusion on Campus) at the University of Montana.
Mowreader, A. (2024, April 30). Program innovation: Peer support for neurodivergent students. Inside Higher Ed. https://www.insidehighered.com
Prosper Health – Find Adult Autism Care Near You
Prosper Health is an adult autism therapy and diagnosis provider. Licensed psychologists and therapists who specialize in adult autism and related disorders offer virtual services across Florida.
Justin's story in Eastern Florida University
Justin graduates and explains his story on how his disability allowed him to resources to help me graduate on time.
Adults Informational Articles About: The Association for Autism and Neurodiversity shares brief information on how Autism presents different in women and girls.
Association for Autism and Neurodiversity (2023, August 18). Autism in Women and Girls. https://aane.org/autism-info-faqs/library/autism-women-and-girls/
Colleges have a responsibility to support students with intellectual disabilities
About: This article provides further insight into a college’s commitment to ensuring student success for individuals with disabilities.
Wubah, D. A. (2024, May 15). Colleges have a responsibility to support students with intellectual disabilities. University Business. https://universitybusiness.com/.
Students With Disabilities in Higher Education: Facts and Statistics
About: This report shares facts and statistics about students with disabilities in the higher education system.
Welding, L. (2023, March 29). Students with disabilities in higher education: Facts and statistics. BestColleges. https://www.bestcolleges.com/research/students-with-disabilities-higher-education-statistics/.
Dionne Quan has blind disability
Dionne have to read her scripits in braille as she is born blind with optic nerve hypoplasia and got the role in Rugrats and beat out 147 other actors to voice Kimi which is a challenge and how she keeps trying and not giving up in her career.
Ten celebs with disabilities that overcame them
This article explains about celebs' disabilities and how they overcome them and the challenges they face too and now are having huge accomplishments made in their careers.
Guide to help college students succeed with disabilities
Students who are disabled need to succeed, and they have access to higher education just like ones who have no disabilities it shapes their differences and experiences in their future and career.
Importance of College Resources at Wayne State University
From the insight of a Wayne State University student, we understand the importance of college resources in helping navigate disabled students during the challenging part of their lives when transitioning from high school to college.
Syracuse University making space more inclusive for disabled students
A group at Syracuse University is establishing a welcome inclusive space across campus with disability awareness training.
Adults Peer-reviewed Articles About: This study focuses on evaluating growth within college students with disabilities and their first two years in a college program.
Lee, C. E., Day, T.L., Carter, E.W, Taylor, J.L. (2020). Examining growth among college students with intellectual and developmental disability: A longitudinal study. Behavior Modification, 45(2), 324-348. doi:10.1177/01454455209829
Testing a Wellness Indicators Measure for People with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities
About: This research provides a new model that states can use to monitor wellness within the IDD community. The sample includes adults with IDD in the 2017-2018 dataset.
Bogenschutz, M., Broda, M., Lineberry, S., Dinora, P., & Seb Prohn. (2021). Testing a wellness
indicators measure for people with intellectual and developmental
disabilities. Developmental Disabilities Network Journal, 2(1), 85.
https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC9201682/
College Students with Disabilities
Kim, M.M., Kutscher, E.L. College Students with Disabilities: Factors Influencing Growth in Academic Ability and Confidence. Res High Educ 62, 309–331 (2021). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11162-020-09595-8
Adults Media The Good Doctor
Genre: TV series, Drama
Rated: TV-14
Synopsis: A young, exceptionally talented surgical resident with ASD faces social challenges while using his unique abilities to save lives.
Atypical
Genre: TV series, Drama, Comedy
Rated: TV-14
Synopsis: This series follows the journey of Sam and his family as he navigates college-life and his newfound independence. Sam is an 18-year-old with ASD exploring dating, friendships, and new experiences.
Special
Genre: TV series, Drama, Comedy
Rated: Mature/Adult
Synopsis: A young, queer man with cerebral palsy navigates his career and relationships, while striving for independence. The series reflects themes of self-acceptance, identity, and love.
Genre: History, Documentary
Rated: R
Synopsis: Down the road from Woodstock, a revolution blossomed at a ramshackle summer camp for teenagers with disabilities, transforming their lives and igniting a landmark movement.
Lebrecht, J. & Newnham, N. (Directors). (2020). Crip Camp: A disability revolution. [Film]. Higher Ground Productions; Ford Foundation; Little Punk; Just Films; Rusted Spoke Productions.
Genre: Comedy, Drama
Rated: R
Synopsis: Comedian Max co-parents autistic son Ezra with ex-wife Jenna. Faced with crucial decisions about Ezra's future, Max and Ezra go on a life-changing cross-country road trip.
Goldwyn, T. (Director). (2023). Ezra. [Film]. Wayfarer Studios; Closer Media.
The View From Here: My Path to Disability Advocacy | Liam Doyle |
This TED Talk explains Liam Doyle's disability in an inaccessiblity city and how he wants to make change in Lafayette where he lives for all the citizens with disabilities to live better lives.
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Parents and Caregivers
Toggle More InfoParents and Caregivers
Tab Title Active Tab Content Parents and Caregivers Agencies active
active
A Resource Guide Developed by Project Transition Interagency Council
Mission: Project Transition’s Mission is to expand and strengthen collaborative relationships among families, students, agencies, schools,
and community resources to provide successful transition of young adults with disabilities by increasing their awareness of all available past school options.
Project Transition Interagency Council. (2016). Secondary Transition. The School District of Lee County. https://www.leeschools.net/common/pages/GetFile.ashx?key=Xgz1AVTy
Family Network on Disabilities
Mission: OUR MISSION: striving for the complete integration and equality of people with disabilities in a society without barriers.
Family Network on Disabilities (https://fndusa.org/)
About: This community parent resource center offers education, information, and emotional support for families of children and adolescents with special needs.
Free, in-person and virtual workshops are offered to support parents and caregivers in areas such as early intervention, vocational training, college opportunities, and legal rights of children and young adults with disabilities.
Mission: Parent Training Information (PTI) center for the Central and Northeast of Florida, (Charlotte, Citrus, Collier, DeSoto, Glades, Hardee, Hendry, Hernando, Highlands,Hillsborough, Lee, Manatee, Pasco,
Pinellas, Sarasota, and Sumter counties).
These PTI services help to ensure that parents of children with the full range of disabilities have the training and information they need to prepare their children for school, and to help them lead productive, independent lives to the fullest extent possible.
Parent Support Network. (n.d.). Parent Support Network Project. Family Network on Disabilities. https://fndusa.org/program-detail-page-psn/
About: Leeschools provides resources for parents and caregivers to support their child throughout their academic journey, including behaviors, virtually, and at home learning.
The School District of Lee County. (n.d.). Parent Resources. Retrieved May 22, 2025, from https://www.leeschools.net/our_district/departments/academic_services/exceptional_student_education/parent_resources
About: The Special Needs Program includes information about accessing a special needs storm shelter and transportation in case of a natural disaster. The application and more information about this program is located on the website.
Lee County Southwest Florida. (n.d.). Special needs program. https://www.leegov.com/publicsafety/emergencymanagement/shelters/specialneedsprogram
Parents and Caregivers Blogs Care Tips for Children with Developmental Disabilities
About: Integrity, Inc. offers clear strategies for creating an environment suitable for children with IDD. They also share brief caretaker tips to promote healthy child development,
manage challenging behaviors, utilize the support of healthcare professionals, and prevent burnout.
Integrity Inc. (2023, June 19). Care Tips for Children with Developmental Disabilities. https://www.integrityinc.org/care-tips-for-children-with-developmental-disabilities/
About: Help Me Grow Florida offers free downloadable activities to support the healthy development of children. The activities are designed for children aged 2 months – 5 years.
About: The National Task Group on Intellectual Disabilities and Dementia Practices offers an updated collection of news articles and research to support family members and caregivers of adults with IDD and dementia.
Upcoming events, such as webinars, are updated and accessible free of charge.
The National Task Group on Intellectual Disabilities and Dementia Practices (2025, July 1). Family Caregiver Resources. https://www.the-ntg.org/family-caregiver-resources
Help Me Grow Florida: Start a Screening
About: This website offers a free screening for parents or caregivers to better understand a child’s developmental patterns. Screenings do not diagnose delays or disabilities,
but they provide further insight into how specific concerns can be discussed with professionals. Screenings also support understanding for how the child’s development can be enhanced through play.
About: This website serves as a resource to recognize if your child is reaching developmentally appropriate milestones from 2 months- 5 years of age.
Additionally, this website includes resources to track and support a child’s milestones and resources if the caregiver is concerned about the child reaching their milestones.
National Center on Birth Defects and Developmental Disabilities (2025, January 17). Learn the signs. Act early. U.S Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. https://www.cdc.gov/ncbddd/actearly/index.html
Parents and Caregivers Informational Articles Sexual Health Resource Toolkit for Parents and Caregivers of Youth with IDD
This toolkit offers parents a guide for supporting youth with IDD through puberty and early adolescence.
Promising Youth Programs. (2023, January). Sexual Health Resource Toolkit for Parents and
Caregivers of Youth with IDD.
https://teenpregnancy.acf.hhs.gov/sites/default/files/resourcefiles/IDD_Adolescent_Dev_Snapshot.pdf
Parents and Caregivers Peer-reviewed Articles Financial Planning Among Parents of Children With Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities
About: This study reviews the financial planning experiences of families with children with IDD.
Agarwal, R., Heron, L.M., & Burke, S.L. (2023). Financial planning among parents of children with intellectual and developmental disabilities. Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities, 61(3), 211–223. https://doi.org/10.1352/1934-9556-61.3.211
Exploring the new unresponsive wakefulness syndrome in patients
The caregivers are helping patients be cured of disorders using BCI technology to see what the issues are in depth and help them live much better and give tests on what can be improved.
Guger, C., Spataro, R., Pellas, F., Allison, B. Z., Heilinger, A., Ortner, R., . . . Laureys, S. (2018). Assessing command-following and communication with vibro-tactile P300 brain-computer interface tools in patients with unresponsive wakefulness syndrome. Frontiers in Neuroscience, doi:https://doi.org/10.3389/fnins.2018.00423
Parents and Caregivers Media active Born This Way
About: This A&E docuseries explores the lived experiences of adults with Down syndrome as they pursue their goals and strive for independence.
Parents and families share their perspectives offering further insight into the challenges and lessons of adjusting to their loved one’s journey through adulthood.
Link: https://www.aetv.com/shows/born-this-way
Challenges faced for the disabled community in recovering after Hurricane Helene
People of the community including parents and caregivers are helping NC recover after Hurricane Helene where she unleashed awful flooding to western parts which caused lots of places to wash out including homes for people with disabilities. Now they are helping to make sure the disabled community has enough resources to survive with enough water, food, and a new place to stay.
Parents and caregivers news active Empowering Kids through disabilities with baking
Caregivers and parents can help kids with disabilities bake to grow in talent.
Contact Us
Golisano Intellectual Developmental Disabilities Initiative
10501 FGCU Blvd.
Fort Myers, FL 33965
Modular 2
Phone: (239) 745-4272
Email: giddi@fgcu.edu
Support FGCU's Golisano Intellectual Developmental Disabilities Initiative
