The Florida Institute for Community Inclusion

10/31/2025

🎃 Happy Halloween from the Florida Institute for Community Inclusion! 🕸️

Halloween is a fun time for costumes, candy, and creativity—but it’s also a great opportunity to practice social skills, safety, and independence! Here are a few tips for a safe and enjoyable Halloween:
1. Plan Ahead: Decide on your route or event schedule, and make sure someone knows where you’ll be.
2. Costume Comfort: Choose costumes that are safe, easy to move in, and don’t block vision or hearing.
3. Check Candy & Treats: Only eat candy from trusted sources, and check for allergies.
4. Buddy Up: Going out with friends or family is safer and more fun!
5. Be Respectful: Remember to say “thank you” to hosts, respect others’ property, and follow community rules.

Halloween can be a great way to build independence and social confidence while having fun. Stay safe and enjoy every spooky moment!

10/30/2025

This summer, our Career Camp participants had the incredible opportunity to visit the Oviedo City Police Department! 🚓
We want to give a huge thank you to the officers and staff for welcoming us, giving our students a behind-the-scenes look at law enforcement careers, and sharing how teamwork, communication, and community service play a role every day.
Experiences like these help our students explore new career paths and learn valuable skills for their future!

10/29/2025

Thank you to the Orange County Courthouse for welcoming our Summer Career Camp participants for an incredible site visit! Our students had the opportunity to explore careers in the legal field, meet professionals who make the justice system run smoothly, and gain valuable insight into how the courthouse operates.

We’re so grateful for your time, hospitality, and commitment to helping young adults explore real-world career paths!

10/29/2025

A huge thank you to Mainstreet Community Bank for making our day and stopping by our office—especially for the delicious cookies! 🍪 Your thoughtfulness and support mean so much to us. We’re grateful for community partners like you!

10/28/2025

Looking for a fun night out filled with laughs, new friends, and a little friendly competition? 🎳 Join us for SOAR Social Bowling Night on Friday, November 14th, from 6:00 PM to 8:00 PM at Oviedo Bowling Center!

For just $20, you’ll enjoy two games of bowling, rental shoes, one large slice of pizza, and one drink.

This event is all about connecting, having fun, and enjoying an evening of bowling in a relaxed, welcoming environment. Whether you’re a seasoned bowler or just rolling for fun, everyone’s welcome!

Come hang out with friends, meet new people, and enjoy a night focused on community and connection.

Hosted by Oviedo Bowling Center and SOAR Beyond 22, our social events are all about bringing people together for friendship, fun, and good times. Don’t miss out — it’s going to be a great night!

Follow the link for more details and tickets to the event:

https://floridaincludesme.org/event/%f0%9f%8e%b3-soar-social-bowling-night-come-strike-up-some-fun/

10/27/2025

At the Florida Institute for Community Inclusion, we believe every child deserves to experience the fun and excitement of Halloween in a way that’s inclusive and accessible.

This article from Undivided shares practical and thoughtful ideas to help families create a disability-friendly Halloween — from sensory-friendly costumes to accessible trick-or-treating tips.

How can you help you child with autism, CP, a G-tube, or another disability have a fun Halloween? We asked experienced parents for their best tips!

10/25/2025

Meltdowns are part of the autistic experience, and recovery takes time. The autistic meltdown recovery wheel shows practical ways to regain calm, process emotions, and take care of yourself. Everyone’s path looks different — and that’s okay.

10/23/2025

How to Set Yourself Up for Excellence

Excellence doesn’t happen overnight — it’s built through small choices every day. Whether you’re working toward your first job, learning new skills, or finding your path, you have the power to shape your future.

Check out these 10 ways to set yourself up for success and start putting them into action today. The best version of you starts with one step forward!



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10/22/2025

BJ’s Wholesale Club is Coming to Casselberry!

We’re excited to share that BJ’s Wholesale Club is opening soon in Casselberry — and they’re partnering with The Florida Institute for Community Inclusion to give back to our organization!

Through this special pre-opening offer, you can save big on your BJ’s membership while helping support our mission to empower young adults with disabilities.

Here’s how it works:
• New Members:
• $15 for a Club Card (normally $60)
• $40 for a Club+ Card (normally $120)
• BJ’s will donate $15 for every new Club+ membership and $5 for all other new memberships or renewals.
• Renewals:
• $50 for the Club Card
• $100 for the Club+ Card
• BJ’s will add 12 months to your current expiration date!

How to Join:
• Online: www.bjs.com/floridainstituteinclusion
• By Phone: Call 1-800-313-8887 and reference promo code 824063
(Monday – Friday, 9 AM – 6 PM EST)

Offer valid through November 30, 2025

Thank you for supporting The Florida Institute for Community Inclusion while welcoming BJ’s Wholesale Club to Casselberry!

10/21/2025

Ready to take the next step toward your future career?

Our Virtual Work Readiness Training is designed to help students ages 14–21 build the skills and confidence needed to succeed in the workplace. Over 20 hours of interactive sessions, participants will learn:
• How to create a professional résumé
• Tips for applying and interviewing for jobs
• Effective communication and conflict resolution skills

This training is offered at no cost through Vocational Rehabilitation (VR). Participants must have a VR referral to enroll.

Get prepared, get confident, and get ready to work!
For more information or to get started, contact us at info@floridaincludesme.org

10/20/2025

What You See vs. What You Don’t See: Dyslexia Edition

You might see a student who reads slowly, mixes up letters, or avoids reading out loud.
But what you don’t see is the incredible effort it takes to decode each word, the frustration of feeling “different,” or the creativity and problem-solving skills that often come with dyslexia.

Dyslexia isn’t a reflection of intelligence — it’s a different way of processing language. With the right support, individuals with dyslexia can thrive in school, work, and life.

Let’s focus on understanding, not assumptions. 💙

10/17/2025

🌱 Fall Career Camp: Explore Environmental & Green Careers!

Join us November 24th – November 26th for our in-person Fall Career Camp, where students will dive into exciting environmental and green career opportunities! Learn hands-on skills, explore sustainable practices, and discover careers that make a difference.

📅 Dates: November 24th – 26th
📅 Make-up Day: November 28th
🕣 Time: 8:30 AM – 4:00 PM
📍 Location: 365 Aulin Ave, Oviedo, FL 32765

This camp is designed for students ages 14–21 to gain real-world experience, explore career paths in sustainability, and build confidence in a fun, project-based environment.

Participants must be referred by their Vocational Rehabilitation Counselor.