GIDDI Resources

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

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Local and State Agencies


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Check out all the resources more will be updated and added!
Educational	active active active active active active active active active active active active active active active	ABLE Academy 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. Autism Collier Charter School 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. De LaSalle Academy 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. Easterseals 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. LARC, Inc. 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. STARability Foundation 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. FDLRS Island Coast 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. Suncoast center for Indpendent Living About: Helping families and ones with disablities to gain more in independent skills and meet the needs to get the support and services they need to stay safe. Each consumer creates a plan called Indpendent Living plan which helps to develop the skills to participate in activities. Soulegria About: Soulegria lanuched a new program called Transitional living to help young adults with disablities or cannot live with families to help develop new relationships and get the treatment they need to improve in mental health. The brains also will develop more and young adults can accomplish more in life after attending the sessions! Interfaith charities of Lee County About: Helping the poor and hungry be fed and providing support to the community including ones with disablities. Donations are provided to the charities and helping to provide tax assistance and food pantries to ones in need so they can grow more in themselves. Autism Society About: Connecting the Autism community by getting the support and resources they need to thrive in the world. The autism population and families make the right decisions to grow more in themselves and promote improved quality of life. Epilepsy Alliance FL About: Bringing support to individuals and families with epilepsy awareness which is challenging so reach out to them for support to help overcome the challenges of having it. Excitement bring hope and you can make a positive difference and help ones with epilepsy recover and feel much better. American Red Cross About: Red Cross brings services to the disablited community by helping them be prepared for any natural disasters and having the resources they need to survive. They also will provide them with enough meals and water to get them through anything they face like wildfires, hurricanes, lost ones due to fire, and more.
Healthcare	active active active active active active active active	Accessible Home Health Care 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. FOCUS 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. Golisano Children's Hospital 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. Ronald McDonald House of SWFL About: Ronald McDonald House Charities® of Southwest Florida provides essential services that remove barriers, strengthen families, and promote healing when children need healthcare. SPOT Therapy Associates 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 active active active active active active	Employment Network of SW Florida About: We empower individuals with disabilities through employment, connecting them with meaningful opportunities to thrive. Goodwill SWFL About: Goodwill Industries of Southwest Florida is committed to serving people with disabilities and disadvantages by offering life-changing opportunities to achieve independence. LARC, Inc. 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. Trailblazer Academy 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. EmployU About: A nonprofit disability employement service creating an inclusive workforce for the disablited community in helping them find the job they need. CareerSource SWFL About: Providing skills to help the disabled community of SWFL grow in their careers and fields with partenrship with EmployFlorida. ServiceSource of Florida 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 active active active active active	CARD USF 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. ESE LEE Family Council 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. The MVP Autism Foundation 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. LARC, Inc. 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. Autism Books 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 active active 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 CARD USF 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. Autism speaks books About: Learn more about autism with these books and find how the character relates to you when you're studying and figuring out what it means to you.
Independent Living	active	God's Protected Harbor About: To provide residential and community based programs and services enhanced with Christian care, for adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities. Goodwill SWFL About: Goodwill Industries of Southwest Florida is committed to serving people with disabilities and disadvantages by offering life-changing opportunities to achieve independence. LARC, Inc. 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	active active active active active active active	Autism Theater Project 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. Best Buddies 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 GiGi's Playhouse 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. The Naples Players Theatre About: We build community through exceptional access to the power of theatre. Sandy Park Care About: The program provided there has individual plans to provide support for the disabled community by providing quantity in life. Smart with Heart 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.
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Children

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Children


Children Agencies	active active active active active active active active active active active active	CARD USF 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. Lighthouse SWFL About: Focusing on kids to have accessibity for better technology and grow at summer camp to improve in their communication skills. Children's network of SWFL About: Working with the community of SWFL to protect the children and peserve families for the better of the good. Bring children here for better care and awarness to get the treatement they need. Administator of Children and Families About: Promoting the economic growth for the families, children, youth, and more funding, technical assistance, and making sure communites are healthy, growing very well, and more resilient to trying new challenges. Family Initiative About: Welcome kids with autism to enjoy the social skill programs with families for growing with new skills and empowering with child welfare program which is allowing a chance for the parent and child to thrive in the support they get. Children's Home society of Florida About: Helping children though the most challnging times they are facing with their parents to work in promoting better awareness in healthy living at homes and building the strengths they gain to help all feel more welcome in the community. NCH Safe and Healthy children About: NCH is helping children to be safe like in the water for swimming to make sure there are no drownings with swim classes provided too and better sleep for the babies so they don't fall off the crib. Water safety for autism children About: There have been issues with more children with autism drowning so this site explains about the tips to keep them alive and safe. Swimming tips are provided and make sure there is an adult or someone else always supervising so they go in safely! Birth Defects About: Helping families find answers with the babies in having birth defects on what it is and how they can fix it. This shows different types of birth defects and what the condition is and how its treated so the babies can live very healthy lives and fix it sooner than later. Children's Advocacy Center of SWFL About: Offering a safe environment where children can get the support they need along with their families to feel more welcome and not get treated with abuse. Children here get treated much more better with respect and dignity in this center and can help them overcome the abuse they have and get on through their lives. Hopebridge threapy center About: Help children with autism develop the skills to succeed in school and gains the reading they need to speak better and also develop their movements on how to connect to the world! There is also sensory services provided by OT to get children to sense the things and feel and touch to understand playtime better and feel the hand to relieve stress. We Rock the spectrum About: Its a new gym opening soon in Fort Myers for kids with all ablities. Stay tuned for more information once its opens. Cape Speech Therapy About: Helping children and adults grow more in their speaking skills and helping also ones with communication disorders be cured. The therapy will help them to reach the quality of life they are seeking! Horse Play Therapy About: Horses are helping children with different disablities with therapy to improve in their relationship with animals and have lots of fun and feel connection on how it can develop skills to thrive in real world. Parc Center for disablities About: Making a difference for the children and adults with the core values to be more welcomed in the community and getting the support they need. The Arc About: Its the largest community in the U.S and help the disabiled population to thrive and is a leader of U.S Capital Hall. The Arc is able to help out children if their parents are no longer there to support so they can provide them with enough resources so they can grow new skills. Bright Star Care About: Led by nurses helping to care for the community for children with special needs to give the support they need at home to thrive!
Children Blogs		If you know of a resource that is not listed , please feel free to submit a "Recommend a Resource" form below Recommend a Resource! 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	active active active active	Let’s Go Out to Eat: Creating a Sensory-Friendly Dining Experience for Children with Autism Spectrum Disorders and their Families 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 Recommend a Resource!
Children Books	active	Books of Autism Mission: Children can learn more by reading books about autism to grow more in their reading skills. Gospel books for children with autism Mission: The books teach about god and how children with autism can benefit with Christianity to grow more with prayers and get help with their parents in Jesus's name! Autism Books for children About: These books explain about Autism for children with picture, digital, and chapter books. Autism awareness Centre books About: Improve more on Autism awareness with these amazing books for the kids and parents can reach for them.
Children Media	active active active active active active active active	Sesame Street: Meet Julia 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. Animated short film Ian 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. Adaptive Gaming This webinar teaches the benefits of gaming for disabled children and gamers has increased in the world and bring more joy and awareness for all the have lots of fun. Disability and Child Protection This video teaches more on disablities and how UNICEF is helping children grow more and become more aware of their surroundings. Understanding disablities This shows what disablities mean and what it can do to children and understanding it helps develop your brain with more knowledge about it. Snow White helping someone with autism feel better after meltdown This is about a boy named Brody who has nonverbal autism get cured by Snow White because he was overwhelmed at Disney World and has a hard time adjusting to crowds so she took a walk with him away and comforted him and got a picture with her. Girl with autism meets Cinderella in Disney World This is about a girl named Layla who has autism getting to meet Cinderella thanks to getting donations to go to Disney World. She had magical time and her dream came true to experience a Disney Princess and she became one in heart to herself.

Adolescents

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Adolescents


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Adolescents Agencies	active active active active active active active active	CARD USF 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 Absolute Care Services 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. Center of Independent Living Gulf Coast About: There is a program offered called Project Search to help young adults get internships and prepare for the workforce with special abilities. Many training opportunties are there to help them strengthen in their career and get coaching to find the right job they are looking for. Educational Pathways Academy About: This is a school that is a private Christian one for grades 1-12 for students with language based disablities and founded in 2017. Katz Psychology About: Offers conuseling services in person and virtual of any age group and can assist disabled people with better communication and improve in speaking! The Lotus Center School About: This school is for students ages 5-22 that does not or partly or fully receive special education services that a student in a public school does with Individuals with Disablities Education Act. Loveland center - HERO Program About: Offers a space for nonprofit serving individuals with disablities a school setting to grow and empower while their parents are away and doing other errands perfect for them to drop here for. It is established in 1962 and helping them support the community and give empowerment. Pace center for girls About: Its a nonprofit organization where middle and high school girls find the resources they need to thrive to meet the unique needs of each girl. Providing a safe environment for the girls of all backgrounds and some also facing disablities. Good Day Special needs Center About: Offering a program for adolescents ages 8-22 with autism and other developmental differences to master routines in life to thrive in a safe environment. The team has many volunteer opportunites to get involved for them to get ready for the real world. If I can dream foundation About: Helping empower the community in Fort Myers with its services to succeed in employment and get placement with the career counseling provided. A youth camp is provided for ages 14-21 to join and learn during summertime how to succeed in getting a job and improve their skills for interviews. YoungLife About: A Christian organization for all backgrounds of students in middle school, high school, and college including ones with disablities. Learn more about faith and connecting in events and services with god.
Adolescents Blogs	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 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 Recommend a Resource!
Adolescents Peer-reviewed Articles	active	If you know of a resource that is not listed , please feel free to submit a "Recommend a Resource" form below Recommend a Resource! 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		The Peanut Butter Falcon 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.
Adolescents Books	active	Autism books for Teens and Tweens Mission: Educate Tweens and Teens on autism and this library has great amount of books to choose from when you're figuring out what to read. Autism authors project book list Goal: This list has 240 books by Autism authors project bringing plenty of opportunities for adolescents to grow more with their reading skills on autism! Treated with a disablity at Disney cruise The guest Sarah have been treated with care in dining and having her server cut the food for her at Disney Cruise Line because she can't cut her own food and got the experience she needed to enjoy and have a magical time there. Applying for disability access services at Disney Natasha explains the application on how to apply for disablity access for Disney for attractions and rides and figuring out if they can go on it or not.

Adults

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Adults


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Adults Agencies	active	Best Buddies The Citizens Program provides an opportunity for adult mentorship and friendships through one-to-one buddy pairing. CARD USF 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. Project SEARCH 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. WOW Center 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. Ascend SWFL Mission: Achieve community education and help achieve the highest level of independence while maintaining a healthy and fun lifestyle. Adminstration of Community Living Mission: To help older adults and others with disablities to make right choices in life and be welcome in the space they bring to the community! Helping to make there are networks and organizations to connect with investments to research how the communities grow in the area. Florida disasters Mission: Making sure Florida is safe during disasters and have a plan and making sure ones with special needs have a registry to gain accessible to the resources needed to survive. Freedom Waters Foundation About: Enjoy an adventure on the water with therapeutic boating to help bring joy to the disabilted community as well as veterans and at-risk youth with the community support! This will help you to have more freedom and enjoy the views by the coast of SWFL and rest of Gulf Coast too! My Autism Connection About: Helping the autisic adult community grow and offer different services for them in SWFL to help them empower their minds and connect to different communities. Florida Housing for special needs About: Providing housing to the special needs community with permanent supportive housing which helps residents like the elderly, homeless, having very low income, and disabled to get the support they need to live with the conditions they are seeking with right lease requirements.
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. Top 7 Books of Autism Learn more about the top 7 books to get started for adults to be educated on the neurodiversity and meaning of autism. How Wheelchair tennis brought a player back to life Christina Pesendorfer had an accident in June 2007 after jumping off the apartment to get away from her ex boyfriend and left her paralyzed from navel down. She was only 18 and used a wheelchair and then tried wheelchair tennis which she enjoyed so much and saved her life. She had the best moment in her life and keeps training and become more skilled and travels around the world playing in different tournaments.
Adults Informational Articles		*Autism in Women and Girls* 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. About tennis with Louise This is about a tennis player named Louise who is retired now and told what it means to compete in Paralympics and biggest challenge faced in olympics to qualify for it in wheelchair. Disabled Adults in US This article explains about the disablities adults have in US and about 1 in 4 adults are being affected by it which varies in the age. Mobilty disablity is the greatest of all the adults have with being about 13.7% of them while lowest is trouble to do errands alone at 3.7%. Keeping people with disablities safe This explains about disasters and severe weather and how to keep people with disablities safe. March and June is tornado season in much of US and can also strike at times in Florida but more rarer. Be sure to use these tips also to prepare for hurricane season every year. Parents with disaster prepareness This shows what parents can do to prepare for disasters while being disablited themselves in finding a safe shelter to live and evacuating if under warnings by the coast to be safe and get where they need to be on time. Making sure also to have medical documents and also checking in with loved ones if something happenes like shootings to make they everyone is safe including children at schools. 8 Famous people with disablities This explains 8 famous people with disablities that have challenges in life and each of them have different careers and how their stories can inspire others to not give up in your dreams and keep trying. Celebs with ADHD This explains actors with ADHD and figuring out the talents they gain and grown to become well known movie stars and become better in their acting and speaking skills.
Adults Peer-reviewed Articles		*Examining Growth Among College Students with Intellectual and Developmental Disability: A Longitudinal Study* *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. *Crip Camp* *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. *Ezra* *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. Stories of celebs with disablities Very interesting stories about different disablities learn about Jim Carrey, Millie Bobby Brown, Johnny Depp, Sylvester Stallone, and Daniel Radcliffe on what they have and how they overcome them to be more better in acting! Emily Blunt talks about sluttering Learn from actress Emily Blunt what sluttering is and how it can make speaking harder. She shares her story of how to overcome it which helped her improve her acting skills. A coffee shop creates jobs for ones with disablities In Fullerton, CA, a coffee shop is helping ones with disablities get a job and ones with autism too. This helps them prepare their careers in the real world and started helping the community make coffee and gaining new skills as they go. About the Arc This video explains about the Arc services and you learn too of the stories on how families benefited from it and what it did to improve lives for their children! Florida's disablity savings program This explains about the disability program at Arc for the Able united on how to save money tax-free for the disabled community!
Adult Books	Active	Autism books for Adults Mission: These books of autism will help educate Adults on different perspectives of disability including Queer which brings representation of LGBTQ+! Books written by autistic authors Goal: The books help teach about how everyone with autism is different in unique ways and each book explains their own experience with how autism affects their lives and getting though the challenges each day. Recommended books for adults with autism About: Learn from these books that are benefical in why reading helps improve your skills in socializing with adults. Women empowerment in autism About: Learn more about women with autism with these books and how they face challenges, go women.

Parents and Caregivers

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Parents and Caregivers


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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/) Parent to Parent of Miami 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. *Parent Support Network* *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/ *Parent Resources* *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 *Special Needs Programs* *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 Acti-Kare home care About: Providing senior and health care services that caregivers can use to help bring care to many different types of families and help love ones recover and also assisting the disabled community with meals, personal care, house cleaning, and more. Heart body mind home care About: Offering services to help care ones in need that caregivers can come to support with different services like in home care, personal care, companion care, and more. Helping also ones with disorders like ones with impairment in moving to cope with challenges ahead with providing great nutrition and resources for rest. Nova Leap Home Health About: Provides in home services so individuals can lively peacefully and with independence to help ones with declining health to heal and recover at nursing homes or living facilties to build meaningful communities where people live. First Light Home Care About: Providing services throughout in the Fort Myers area to allow seniors and adults receive the care to improve your loved one's quality of life with different care services provided. Family network of disablities About: Developing a community for families with children to understand the challenges they are facing and struggles too to overcome them and get the support they need. FND is founded in 1985 and serving the freedom for the children to grow with their parents and rest of family to be educated in mental health and grow more in skills to do well in school.
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/ Developmental Activities 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. Family Caregiver Resources 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. Learn the Signs. Act Early 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. Crisis of disability There was an issue with unspending costs for children which took a toll in businesses.

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