The Arc of Florida

12/30/2025

The Arc of Florida supports two System-wide Priorities as part of our 2026 Legislative Platform. We strongly support reducing the Agency for Persons with Disabilities’ (APD) Waiting list and ensuring timely access to services. A comprehensive strategy and additional funding are needed to ensure these individuals are not forgotten. Reducing the Waiting list will not occur without sustainable rates to create additional service capacity for those still requiring services.



https://www.arcflorida.org/legislative-platform

12/30/2025

Reminder – our January 2026 Advocacy Meeting next week on The Four Seasons of Advocacy 2.0. Learn other methods to keep engaged, , and . . The 2026 Legislative Session starts Tuesday, January 13.

Register today! https://us06web.zoom.us/meeting/register/OtUq4k96SLu-SYV212asvA

12/29/2025

Interesting read. New science points to 4 distinct types of autism.
Scientists are redefining autism as a complex condition with multiple forms, challenging traditional notions.

Scientists are redefining autism as a complex condition with multiple forms, challenging traditional notions.

12/24/2025

12/23/2025

The other Policy Priority for our 2026 Legislative Platform Adoption of a monthly/daily billing structure for Adult Day Training (ADT) services to help families experience more consistent day services. To expand ADT capacity and better meet client needs, providers must be reimbursed through a sustainable and predictable billing model that supports the service. The Arc of Florida supports full implementation in 2026.



https://www.arcflorida.org/legislative-platform

12/22/2025

Good info from ADA National Network on what the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) says about service and support animals in the workplace.

Check this out:
https://adata.org/employment-resource-hub/service-and-support-animals-workplace?fbclid=IwY2xjawOj5R5leHRuA2FlbQIxMABicmlkETEzQzNwNk1FbU9SRW1sTGwzc3J0YwZhcHBfaWQQMjIyMDM5MTc4ODIwMDg5MgABHrUiwvWF23hDBEIKQYICRMJTGk-R4-SLmNHio0rVO4wwJiTobrGhPBpmiEtN_aem_eBvuwQlIsMmLPD4J4fi5cA

12/19/2025

Have you heard? Starting January 1, 2026, the ABLE Age Adjustment Act dramatically expands who is eligible to open an ABLE account. Previously, only individuals who acquired their disability before age 26 could qualify. Under the new law, the cutoff age increases to 46, opening the door for millions of additional people with disabilities to access ABLE accounts.

Read more here,

January 1, 2026, marks a major milestone for the disability community in Florida and across the country. That’s when the ABLE Age Adjustment Act goes into effect—raising the age of disability onset for ABLE account eligibility from age 26 to age 46. With this change, millions of additional Ameri...

12/18/2025

United Airlines and Special Olympics International announced the expansion of their relationship globally, celebrating in their shared vision to end discrimination against people with intellectual disabilities.

United Airlines and Special Olympics International today announced the expansion of their relationship globally, celebrating in their shared vision to end discrimination against people with intellectual disabilities. The announcement is the next evolution in United’s relationship with Special…

12/18/2025

Our January Provider Forum will provide an update on StationMD. Learn how this unique telehealth company is serving those with I/DD.

Register today. https://us06web.zoom.us/meeting/register/e5-jJHl0R6CIuY9t_1hroQ

12/17/2025

Way cool! Forbes just ranked The Arc of the United States #21 on its list of America’s Top 100 Charities for 2025! That puts The Arc in the top 25 charities nationwide. This ranking reinforces what people with disabilities, families, and partners know every day: The Arc shows up, and we stay.

It’s been a tough year for some of the nation’s largest charities as the Trump Administration has slashed funding for humanitarian relief, disaster assistance and other social services abroad and in the U.S. The 2025 Forbes list of America’s Top 100 Charities doesn’t yet reflect most of that damage, but it does show which charities were at risk—and may be particularly in need and deserving of your dollars now.
Read more: https://www.forbes.com/lists/top-charities/?utm_campaign=ForbesMainFB&utm_source=ForbesMainFacebook&utm_medium=social

12/16/2025

Our 2026 Legislative Platform has two Policy Priorities. One is a uniform transportation reimbursement methodology. We feel this should be established to ensure safe access to the community for individuals with I/DD as well as fair compensation for the providers. The Arc of Florida believes that establishing consistent, statewide methodologies for critical supports and services that will improve transparency, accountability, and equity.



https://www.arcflorida.org/legislative-platform