The Florida Institute for Community Inclusion

The Florida Institute for Community Inclusion A non-profit that empowers young adults with disabilities, founded by families of children with autism.

We provide innovative programs and support for a successful transition to employment, fostering inclusivity and advocating for equal opportunities. Nonprofit/Education
Disability Advocacy
Disability Service Provider
Community Inclusion

The SOAR Beyond 22 group recently enjoyed a community outing to a local botanical garden. Participants spent time walkin...
03/11/2026

The SOAR Beyond 22 group recently enjoyed a community outing to a local botanical garden. Participants spent time walking the trails, exploring the different plants and landscapes, and enjoying the peaceful outdoor environment.

Community outings like this provide valuable opportunities for participants to practice social skills, build independence, and engage with the community. Experiences in nature also encourage curiosity, relaxation, and learning about the environment around us.

It was a wonderful day filled with exploration, conversation, and continued growth.

A growth mindset is the belief that abilities and skills can be developed through effort, learning, and persistence. Whe...
03/10/2026

A growth mindset is the belief that abilities and skills can be developed through effort, learning, and persistence. When young people understand that mistakes are part of the learning process, they become more willing to try new things, solve problems, and continue working toward their goals.

Developing a growth mindset helps students build confidence, strengthen resilience, and stay motivated even when something feels challenging. These are important skills not only for school, but also for future employment and independence.

Encouraging effort, learning from feedback, and celebrating progress helps create an environment where students feel supported as they grow.

Work Readiness & Pre-Placement TrainingOur Work Readiness & Pre-Placement Training is designed to help students and youn...
02/27/2026

Work Readiness & Pre-Placement Training

Our Work Readiness & Pre-Placement Training is designed to help students and young adults build the foundational skills needed to prepare for employment and future work experiences.

Participants will focus on:
• Understanding workplace expectations and professionalism
• Communication and teamwork skills
• Time management and responsibility
• Preparing for job placement and work-based learning experiences

We are offering three virtual sessions scheduled to follow Florida school Spring Breaks, allowing Pre-ETS and VR clients anywhere in the state to participate.

Eligibility Requirements:
• Ages 14–21
• Currently enrolled in school with an IEP or 504 Plan
• Must be referred by a Vocational Rehabilitation Counselor through the Florida Division of Vocational Rehabilitation

If you are interested, please contact your local VR office to connect with a VR Counselor for referral.

This is a great opportunity for students to build confidence, independence, and real-world skills that prepare them for successful employment.


This hands-on camp gives students the opportunity to step out of the classroom and into real-world career exploration. T...
02/26/2026

This hands-on camp gives students the opportunity to step out of the classroom and into real-world career exploration. Throughout the week, participants will build essential workplace skills, explore different career paths, and gain confidence in their abilities.

Students will work on:

• Workplace communication and professionalism
• Teamwork and problem-solving
• Career exploration activities
• Resume building and interview preparation
• Understanding employer expectations

This program is available to students ages 14–21 who are currently enrolled in school and have an IEP or 504 Plan. All participants must be referred through Vocational Rehabilitation.

If you are interested in having your student participate, please connect with your VR Counselor to begin the referral process. If you are not yet connected with VR, our team can help guide you through the first steps.

We look forward to helping students grow, explore, and prepare for their future careers.

Our Winter In-Person Career Camp is in full swing at the Florida Institute for Community Inclusion, and every single day...
02/25/2026

Our Winter In-Person Career Camp is in full swing at the Florida Institute for Community Inclusion, and every single day our participants are engaged in hands-on STEM and project-based learning experiences.

Each day is designed to build real-world skills through interactive activities that encourage problem-solving, teamwork, critical thinking, and creativity. From exploring career pathways to completing collaborative projects, participants are learning by doing — and gaining confidence along the way.

Project-based learning allows our students to apply what they learn in meaningful ways, helping them connect classroom concepts to real career opportunities. We are proud to create an environment where young adults can explore, grow, and develop skills that support long-term success.

Interested in joining us? We will be hosting another In-Person Spring Career Camp, and we would love to connect with you. If you are interested in learning more or enrolling a participant, please contact us for more information.

Reactive vs. Responsive: What’s the Difference?In our programs at the Florida Institute for Community Inclusion, we spen...
02/24/2026

Reactive vs. Responsive: What’s the Difference?

In our programs at the Florida Institute for Community Inclusion, we spend a lot of time teaching self-advocacy, emotional regulation, and workplace readiness. One key skill we focus on is the difference between having a reactive mindset and a responsive mindset.

Being responsive doesn’t mean ignoring your feelings. It means recognizing them, managing them, and choosing a productive way to move forward.

This is an essential soft skill for employment, relationships, and independence. The ability to pause, process, and respond thoughtfully can make all the difference.

Growth happens in the pause.

Want an amazing opportunity!
02/23/2026

Want an amazing opportunity!

SOAR Beyond 22 had an amazing day at the Central Florida Zoo & Botanical Gardens.Our participants explored different ani...
02/23/2026

SOAR Beyond 22 had an amazing day at the Central Florida Zoo & Botanical Gardens.

Our participants explored different animal exhibits, practiced community safety skills, and worked on social communication while navigating the park together. Outings like this help build independence, teamwork, and confidence in real-world settings.

We love creating opportunities for our young adults to learn, grow, and experience the community around them.

Work Readiness & Pre-Placement TrainingThis training is designed to help students and young adults build the foundationa...
02/20/2026

Work Readiness & Pre-Placement Training

This training is designed to help students and young adults build the foundational skills needed to prepare for employment and future work experiences.

Participants will focus on:
• Understanding workplace expectations and professionalism
• Communication and teamwork skills
• Time management and responsibility
• Preparing for job placement and work-based learning experiences

There are three virtual sessions, scheduled to follow Florida school Spring Breaks, allowing Pre-ETS and VR clients anywhere in the state of Florida to participate.

If interested, please contact your local VR office to connect with a VR Counselor for referral.

If you have any questions message us.

Soft skills are just as important as technical skills! From communication and teamwork to problem-solving and time manag...
02/19/2026

Soft skills are just as important as technical skills! From communication and teamwork to problem-solving and time management, these skills help our participants succeed in school, work, and life.

At SOAR Beyond 22, we focus on building these essential skills every day to prepare our young adults for independence and meaningful opportunities.

Our SOAR Beyond 22 participants had an amazing time at Blue Springs! They got up close with the gentle manatees, enjoyed...
02/19/2026

Our SOAR Beyond 22 participants had an amazing time at Blue Springs! They got up close with the gentle manatees, enjoyed the beautiful natural surroundings, and practiced social and community skills during this fun, educational outing.

Experiences like these are what make learning and growing in the community so meaningful!

Life can feel overwhelming at times, but it helps to focus on what you can control: your attitude, your effort, your cho...
02/17/2026

Life can feel overwhelming at times, but it helps to focus on what you can control: your attitude, your effort, your choices, and how you treat others.

Let go of what’s out of your hands, and put your energy into the things that can truly make a difference.

Address

365 Aulin Avenue
Oviedo, FL
32765

Opening Hours

Monday 8am - 4pm
Tuesday 8am - 4pm
Wednesday 8am - 4pm
Thursday 8am - 4pm
Friday 8am - 4pm
Saturday 9am - 4pm

Website

Alerts

Be the first to know and let us send you an email when The Florida Institute for Community Inclusion posts news and promotions. Your email address will not be used for any other purpose, and you can unsubscribe at any time.

Contact The Practice

Send a message to The Florida Institute for Community Inclusion:

Shortcuts

Share

Share on Facebook Share on Twitter Share on LinkedIn
Share on Pinterest Share on Reddit Share via Email
Share on WhatsApp Share on Instagram Share on Telegram

Ali’s Story

The Florida Institute for Community Inclusion was founded in 2016. In reality we were founded back in 1992, with the birth of my sister Alice (Ali). Ali was diagnosed with developmental delay when she was 3. When she was 6 her diagnosis was PDD-NOS. Going to school and reaching all the “typical” milestones was a challenge for Ali, and our family. But through it all, when the doctors, teachers and therapists told us what Ali could not do, our family never gave up on our Faith that God had a purpose and a plan for our sweet Ali. Flash forward to 2016, the girl doctors, teachers, and therapists said would never walk properly (vertigo) would never talk properly (speech delays) and would never graduate high school because of her PDD-NOS, well that girl is now the President of a nonprofit organization, has an AA degree and works as a paraprofessional helping elementary school students with disabilities. Today, Ali is 25, loves the outdoors, music, her dogs, and spending time with her boyfriend.

Ali came to me in August 2016 after I had graduated from UCF with my doctorate in Educational Leadership. Ali asked me what was I going to do with the rest of my life. In that moment I wasn’t quite sure of God’s plan for me. I told Ali I wasn’t sure. In that moment she challenged me. Ali asked me if I would consider helping her find ways to help others like her, who society had given up on (her words). So we brainstormed A LOT and we decided with her ideas, my knowledge and training, with help from friends and a whole lot of faith and prayer, we would start a nonprofit organization to help those with disabilities who are still trying to find their purpose and realize God’s plan.

Today, we have a postsecondary program for students over 22 who still need to work on academic goals and those who are still searching to find their purpose. We also have a summer camp for students with disabilities, and we are service providers for Vocational Rehabilitation. We are proud of our achievements and are excited about future opportunities and ways we can ensure all people, regardless of their abilities feel included and purposeful in their communities.