Bank of America Disability Awareness and Education Fair Held in Jacksonville

The corporate office of Bank of America in the Gramercy Woods complex off Southside Boulevard in Jacksonville was the setting for the third annual Disability Awareness and Education Fair last month.

Stefanie Harrell, Bank of America Disability Advocacy Network (DAN) Florida Chapter Chair, hosted the following local agencies that attended the event:
Agency for Persons with Disabilities (APD), Family Care Council 12 (FCC 12), Arc Jacksonville, Angelwood, Community Hospice, Down Syndrome Association of Jacksonville, Dreams Come True, Epilepsy Foundation, Hubbard House, Making Strides for Autism, Mainspring Academy, The Michael J. Fox Foundation, National Association of Mental Illness (NAMI), North Florida School of Special Education, New Heights, and Special Olympics.

APD Northeast Community Affairs Specialist/FCC Liaison Belinda Hoyt began attending this annual event in 2016. When the invitation was extended this year, Hoyt inquired if one of APD’s advisory groups, Family Care Council 12, could accompany her to speak with Bank of America employees.

Family Care Council 12 was represented by Charlene Greene from Ormond Beach, a current candidate for gubernatorial appointment to FCC 12. Ms. Greene was able to share her experiences as an adoptive parent of a child with a disability, as well as her son’s successful experience with Seminole County Project SEARCH and his ability to now live independently.

After the event, a feedback session was held with those agencies in attendance, and possible Skype presentations may be coming in the near future.


Belinda Hoyt (L) and Charlene Greene (R) attended the Disability Awareness and Education Fair.