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

The Florida Institute for Community Inclusion

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Oviedo, FL
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

09/10/2025

🌱 Growth Mindset: The Power of “Yet”

Our mindset shapes how we approach challenges. A fixed mindset says, “I can’t do this.” A growth mindset says, “I can’t do this… yet.”

Shifting to a growth mindset means:
🔹 Seeing mistakes as opportunities to learn
🔹 Believing effort and practice lead to progress
🔹 Embracing challenges instead of avoiding them
🔹 Celebrating growth, not just perfection

Changing your mindset takes time, but every step builds resilience, confidence, and new possibilities.

Remember: Your abilities are not fixed—you are always capable of learning and growing! 💡

09/09/2025

🌈 How to Be Neurodiversity Affirming

Being neurodiversity affirming means recognizing that brains work in many different ways—and that those differences are valuable. Instead of focusing on “fixing” or “changing” someone, we celebrate and support who they are.

When we affirm neurodiversity, we create communities that are stronger, kinder, and more inclusive for all. 💙

09/08/2025

🏠 Project-Based Learning: Building a Home

This summer, our campers took on a hands-on challenge—designing and building a model home!

Through this project, they practiced:
🔹 Teamwork – working together and sharing ideas
🔹 Problem-Solving – finding creative solutions to design challenges
🔹 Critical Thinking – planning ahead and making decisions step by step
🔹 Creativity – bringing their unique visions to life

Projects like this show how learning by doing builds real-world skills that campers can use far beyond the classroom. We’re so proud of their hard work and collaboration!

09/05/2025

💧 STEAM Project: Building Water Towers

Our participants put their creativity and problem-solving skills to the test with a hands-on STEAM project—designing and building model water towers!

This activity encouraged teamwork, critical thinking, and engineering skills while also teaching the importance of clean water systems in our communities.

We loved seeing the innovative designs and how each group worked together to solve challenges and bring their ideas to life.

09/04/2025

☔ The RAIN Technique: A Tool for Overwhelm

When life feels overwhelming, it can help to pause and ground yourself with a simple mindfulness practice called RAIN:

This gentle process can bring clarity, calm, and self-understanding during stressful moments.

Remember: It’s okay to pause, breathe, and care for yourself. 💙

09/03/2025

🌾 Site Visit to Special Hearts Farm

Our participants had a meaningful experience visiting Special Hearts Farm! They learned how the farm provides opportunities for individuals with disabilities to gain hands-on work experience in animal care, gardening, and product creation.

Students saw firsthand how meaningful work builds independence, confidence, and community connections.

A huge thank-you to the team at Special Hearts Farm for welcoming us and inspiring our participants with the incredible work you do!

09/02/2025

📚 Understanding Common Learning Disabilities

Learning disabilities are differences in the way the brain processes information. They do not reflect intelligence, but they can affect how someone learns, communicates, and demonstrates knowledge. With the right supports, individuals with learning disabilities can thrive.

Here are a few of the most common types:
1. Dyslexia – Affects reading, spelling, and writing.
2. Dyscalculia – Impacts understanding of numbers and math concepts.
3. Dysgraphia – Involves difficulties with handwriting, spelling, and organizing thoughts on paper.
4. Auditory Processing Disorder (APD) – Makes it harder to understand spoken language.
5. Visual Processing Disorder – Affects how the brain interprets visual information.
6. Nonverbal Learning Disability (NVLD) – Involves challenges with spatial awareness, motor skills, and interpreting nonverbal cues.

💡 Early identification and support can make a big difference. With strategies, accommodations, and encouragement, students with learning disabilities can reach their full potential.

09/01/2025

📢 Labor Day Office Closure

In observance of Labor Day, our office will be closed on Monday, September 1st. We will resume normal business hours on Tuesday, September 2nd.

We wish everyone a safe and restful holiday as we take time to honor the hard work and contributions of all workers in our community.

08/28/2025

♿ Accessibility is More Than Just a Ramp

When we think about accessibility, ramps and elevators often come to mind—but true accessibility goes far beyond physical spaces.

Accessibility means:
• Clear communication and easy-to-understand information
• Inclusive programs and activities that everyone can participate in
• Technology that adapts to different needs
• Environments where every person feels welcome, respected, and supported

Creating accessible communities is about removing barriers—both seen and unseen—so that everyone has the opportunity to thrive.

08/27/2025

🏡 Site Visit to Cascade Heights Eagle Senior Living

Our participants had the wonderful opportunity to visit Cascade Heights Eagle Senior Living. During the visit, they learned about careers in senior care, the importance of compassion in healthcare, and the many ways staff members support residents in their daily lives.

This hands-on experience gave our students a better understanding of what it means to work in a caring, service-focused environment—and the impact it has on the lives of others.

A big thank-you to the Cascade Heights team for welcoming us and sharing your knowledge!

08/26/2025

🧠 The 8 Executive Functions

Executive functions are the mental skills that help us manage our thoughts, actions, and emotions to achieve goals. These skills develop over time and are important for learning, daily routines, relationships, and independence.

Here are the 8 key executive functions and why they matter:
1. Impulse Control – Helps us pause and think before acting.
2. Emotional Control – Allows us to manage strong feelings in healthy ways.
3. Flexible Thinking – Helps us adapt when plans change or problems arise.
4. Working Memory – Keeps information in mind long enough to use it (like remembering directions).
5. Self-Monitoring – Helps us reflect on our performance and recognize when to adjust.
6. Planning & Prioritizing – Breaks big goals into manageable steps and organizes them by importance.
7. Task Initiation – Supports starting tasks promptly without procrastination.
8. Organization – Helps keep track of belongings, responsibilities, and schedules.

When these skills are strengthened, children and young adults are better prepared to handle challenges, grow in independence, and build confidence.

08/25/2025

🫁 Healthcare STEAM Project

As part of our Summer Career Camp, participants explored the healthcare field through a hands-on STEAM activity—creating model lungs!

This project gave campers a chance to learn how our lungs work, why they’re important to overall health, and how science connects to real-world healthcare careers.

We’re so proud of their curiosity and creativity during this activity!

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

http://www.floridaincludesme.org/

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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.