10/05/2025
We have a Communication Bill of Rights bill proposal!
Please contact your lawmakers and ask them to support!
A bill to be entitled FLORIDA COMMUNICATION BILL OF RIGHTS.
An act relating to the communication rights of Individuals with
Disabilities; amending s. 393.13, Florida Statutes; creating
Paragraph (k) to establish the Florida Communication Bill of Rights for Individuals with Disabilities; providing
definitions; affirming the right of Individuals with Disabilities to communicate using their Preferred Communication Method(s); providing an effective date.
Be It Enacted by the Legislature of the State of Florida:
Section 1. Paragraph (k) is added to subsection (3) of section 393.13, Florida Statutes, to read:
393.13 PERSONAL TREATMENT OF PERSONS WITH DEVELOPMENTAL DISABILITIES; RIGHTS
(3) RIGHTS OF ALL PERSONS WITH DISABILITIES. —
(k) FLORIDA COMMUNICATION BILL OF RIGHTS. -
1. The Legislature finds that an Individual with a Disability has the fundamental right to access to their Preferred Communication Method(s) in order to participate fully in education, health care, employment, and community life.
2. DEFINITIONS.— As used in this section, the term:
a. “Augmentative and Alternative Communication” or “AAC” means any method of communication, other than oral speech, used for expressing wants, needs, ideas and thoughts. The term includes, but is not limited to:
(i) Low-tech AAC, such as gestures, eye gaze, communication boards, picture exchange communication systems, alphabet letter boards, and sign language.
(ii) High-tech AAC: speech-generating devices, tablet-based applications, typing devices, and eye-gaze systems.
b. “Supports and Accommodations” means human or environmental assistance that enables an Individual with a Disability to access and use their Preferred Communication Method(s). The term includes, but is not limited to: sign language interpreters, captioning services, aides, and other reasonable accommodations.
c. “Preferred Communication Method(s)” means any method an Individual with a Disability uses to communicate with others, including all forms of AAC.
d, “Individual with a Disability” as used herein means a person of any age who has a developmental, intellectual, physical, sensory, or communication-related disability as defined in s. 393.063, F.S., or under federal law, including the Americans with Disabilities Act.
3. RIGHTS.— An Individual with a Disability has the right to:
a, Communicate using their Preferred Communication Method(s).
b. Access the Supports and Accommodations necessary to effectively use their Preferred Communication Method(s).
c. Be free from discrimination, restrictions, or denial of their Preferred Communication Method(s).
Section 2. This act shall take effect 90 days after becoming law.
