The Family Cafe

07/27/2025

Our Q&A spotlight this week is a question submitted to our 2024 Q&A Book for The Division of Vocational Rehabilitation Florida Department of Education. 🤔

Q: When should you apply for VR services and or SSDI?

A: A person with a disability, at least 14 years of age, can apply for VR services at any time. Individuals interested in receiving Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) should apply when they have met the criteria for that type of assistance. VR serves individuals with and without SSDI as they plan for and obtain employment.

For more questions and answers, check out the full 2024 Q&A Book on our website, FamilyCafe.Net. 🔗 PLUS look forward to this year’s version coming this Fall! 🌟

[Image description: A teal graphic with a photo of The 26th Annual Family Cafe at the bottom. In the graphic is the question and answer written in the caption. The title reads “2024 Q&A Book Spotlight” and includes The Family Cafe Uncle Paul logo on the left.]

07/26/2025

Today marks the 35th anniversary of the signing of the pivotal Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). ⚖️

This year in particular, we’re reminded of not only the groundwork laid by activists like Judy Heumann, Justin Dart Jr., and Elizabeth Boggs, but also how much work is left to be done. This past 35 years has seen huge changes and advancement for individuals with disabilities across the country, but we must recognize that it has ONLY been 35 years since protections for individuals with disabilities were codified.

rings true now more than ever, as disability resources are under tremendous strain. This year, the relentless strength and willpower of the individuals who worked to get the ADA passed are a powerful reminder that by banding together, individuals with disabilities and their allies can achieve any goal, no matter how big or difficult it seems.

[Image description: A black and white photograph shows President George Bush signing the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) in a ceremony on the South Lawn of the White House. He is surrounded by Evan Kemp, Chairman of the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, Justin Dart, Chairman of the President’s Committee on Employment of People with Disabilities; Rev. Harold Wilke, and Sandy Swift Parrino, Chairperson, National Council on Disability.]

07/25/2025

Check out the latest edition of the Focus 2.0 newsletter from The CAFE TA Center!

Focus 2.0: Mike Veny Brings Rhythms of Recovery to The 27th Annual Family Cafe / Focus newsletter, Latest News, Organizational Development, Recovery, SAMHSA news, Youth and Emerging Adults / By Jeremy Countryman The latest edition of CAFE TAC’s Focus 2.0 newsletter is here!This edition shares an o...

07/25/2025

JJ on the Street: For a Sticker 🧑‍🍳

Florida Youth Council's JJ Humphrey Actor took to the
"street" during The 27th Annual Family Cafe for pt.3 of
our take on Billy on the Street!

Thanks to everyone who participated! What brings YOU to The Annual Family Cafe every year? 🤔

07/15/2025

This year, we honored Dr. Maria V. Barkmeier and Scott Sevin for their dedication to military families looking for disability resources and support.

We have a special message to share from Maria about the impact of the Military Track at The Annual Family Cafe:

“We are so grateful for the support you provided in helping ensure the Military Track was able to happen this year! Our Military Family Town Hall was "standing room only" and several families who we had helped in previous years returned to report back to us that their issues were resolved. I am so thrilled to be a part of The Annual Family Cafe, which always exemplifies this year's theme !” - Dr. Maria V. Barkmeier, Chef of the Year Awardee

Thank you for the kind words and for all that you and Scott do!



[Photo description: 1 - Dr. Maria V. Barkmeier and Scott Sevin pose with a colleague, smiling in a selfie at The 27th Annual Family Cafe. 2 - Individuals from the Exceptional Family Member Program stand behind and around a booth at The 27th Annual Family Cafe. They are smiling and standing close to one another. A table in front of them is adorned with informational materials, bracelets, pens, and more, and has a blue tablecloth with the EFMP logo on it, reading “EFMP. Exceptional Family Member Program. Department of Defense Program. Supported by Military OneSource.” A sign behind them, hung on a red and black curtain reads, “Military - EFMP/School Liaison. 3 - Maria and Scott stand on stage, receiving their awards. There is a large screen behind them with a colorful display of a cartoon cafe. 4 - Scott hugs The Family Cafe president and founder Lori Fahey on stage after receiving the award.”

07/10/2025

The pictures from The 27th Annual Family Cafe are now available! 📸

From our Bag Stuffing on Thursday through Door Prizes on Sunday afternoon, there are snapshots of everything that happened at this year’s event. Why not take a minute to relive the fun? You might find a pic of yourself in there! 😉

All of the photos are in our Flickr album: https://bit.ly/Cafe27Photos 🔗

07/10/2025

Did you get a chance to see the Down Syndrome Out Loud Panel at The 27th Annual Family Cafe? Check out this interview with Melissa Hart, moderator and author of Down Syndrome Out Loud! 📢

If you want to watch the whole panel session, visit our YouTube channel: https://bit.ly/Cafe27Videos 🔗

[Video Description: Melissa Hart stands center screen with a black and red draped background in the Exhibit Hall of The 27th Annual Family Cafe. She is holding her book “Down Syndrome Out Loud” which has a colorful and artful cover. A sign behind her says “Melissa Hart, author of Down Syndrome Out Loud.” A person off camera is asking her interview questions about the book.]

07/08/2025

Thank you so much to the Leon County Government and Commissioner David O'Keefe for presenting us with a proclamation recognizing Disability Pride Month! ❤️

It’s pertinent now more than ever for people with disabilities to be seen and heard by people in our communities, so to have Leon County stand in solidarity with its residents who have disabilities is a great step.

07/07/2025

Click ➡️ to see The Annual Youth Summit through the years! ⏳

Every Youth Summit has its own memorable moments, information gathered, and friends made. Join us this year for The 18th Annual Youth Summit to make a few memories of your own! 🔗 Register today: https://bit.ly/YouthSummit18Registration

[Image descriptions: 1 - two young men pose in a side hug, holding up “peace” signs. Text in the top right corner reads “2013”. 2 - A teenage boy in a blue hat dances happily. Text in the top right corner reads “2014”. 3 - A young man dances with a glow stick and colorful lights. Text in the top right corner reads “2016”. 4 - A young lady in a teal formal dress poses next to a young lady in a yellow formal dress and tiara. Both are smiling. Text in the top right corner reads “2017”. 5 - Three young men sit in a row of chairs using percussion instruments and smiling. Text in the top right corner reads “2018”. 6 - A man stands on stage in front of a room full of young people. He is holding juggling balls and speaking. Text in the top right corner reads “ 2019”. 7 - Two young men pose together, smiling for a picture. The man on the right holds onto the top of other’s head playfully. Text in the top right corner reads “2023”. 8 - A young person poses next to a galactic droid character, holding a photobooth cutout sign that reads, “The 17th Annual Youth Summit” with sci-fi colors, shapes, and patterns. Text in the top right corner reads “2024”.]

07/03/2025

Happy Disability Pride Month! ❤️ To celebrate, we’re sharing some history about Disability Pride and the Disability Pride flag.

Disability Pride began with the Disability Rights movement, evolving from civil disobedience and public protesting into a celebration of the passage of the ADA. The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) was signed into law on July 26, 1990 because of the cumulative effort of countless activists across the country.

In 2015, the first Disability Pride Month was observed to honor the 25th anniversary of the signing of the ADA. After her disappointment at the lack of visibility individuals with disabilities still faced, writer Ann Magill, who has cerebral palsy, created the Disability Pride flag. The purpose of the flag was to increase awareness, solidarity, and acceptance, and its colors represent different facets of the disability community: physical disabilities, neurodiversity, invisible disabilities, mental illness, and sensory disabilities.

This year’s Disability Pride theme is, “We Belong Here, and We're Here To Stay.” Help The Family Cafe celebrate by adding a message of Disability Pride in the comments. 💬

07/02/2025

They’re ready! 🎥 All of our filmed sessions from The 27th Annual Family Cafe are now available on our YouTube page and Website!

Check out these awesome resources, rewatch your favorite Keynote, and hear from important voices in the disability community: https://bit.ly/Cafe27Videos 🔗

07/01/2025

The 18th Annual Youth Summit is coming up! Are you as excited as we are? 👀💚

Registration is OPEN NOW: https://bit.ly/YouthSummit18Registration 🔗

The Annual Youth Summit will take place from August 8th through 9th in Orlando and is for young people with disabilities between the ages of 15 and 30. This is one-of-a-kind opportunity to come together for information, community, and networking. 💪