Cabinet Declared Developmental Disabilities Awareness Month
Attorney General Pam Bondi introduced a resolution at the Florida Cabinet meeting on Tuesday, March 14, declaring the month of March as Developmental Disabilities Awareness Month in Florida.
Representatives from the Agency for Persons with Disabilities (APD), Florida Developmental Disabilities Council, The Arc of Florida, Florida Association of Rehabilitation Facilities, RESPECT of Florida, ABLE Trust, Vocational Rehabilitation, and the Association of Support Coordination Agencies of Florida were there to accept the resolution.
Director Palmer thanked Governor Scott, the Cabinet, and the Legislature for their commitment to provide funding to people with disabilities with the following remarks: “But Governor, I would like to particularly thank you because in the last four years, because of your leadership, and the Legislature following that, we have taken over 6,000 people off the waiting list. That was an investment in Florida’s future, for people to get jobs and to enhance the quality of their lives with over a $100 million investment.”
Chick-fil-A employee Adam Longfellow and Jon Shell, brother of Jeff’s Corner owner, Jeff Shell, addressed Governor Rick Scott and the Florida Cabinet on the importance of employment services for people with disabilities.
Adam Longfellow spoke on the sense of autonomy and independence he has gained through his employment at Chick-fil-A, saying, “This job has helped me to be more independent. Oh, by the way, I pay taxes. I vote.”
Jon Shell told the Cabinet about the positive impact he has seen in his brother due to the access to employment services. Jon said, “Jeff is excited to go to work every day and he’s now an instructor for the PALS Program. He has an opportunity each week to teach job skills and inspire students that are in the same position he was not so long ago. I want to thank you all for supporting APD, the ARC Gateway, and for helping give my brother’s life purpose, meaning, and the chance for him to do the same for others.”
Footage from the Cabinet meeting is available on the Florida Channel at the following link: http://thefloridachannel.org/videos/31417-florida-cabinet-meeting/
Adam Longfellow spoke on the sense of autonomy and independence he has gained through his employment at Chick-fil-A, saying, “This job has helped me to be more independent. Oh, by the way, I pay taxes. I vote.”
Jon Shell told the Cabinet about the positive impact he has seen in his brother due to the access to employment services.
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