Pensacola Resident Receives Leadership and Advocacy Award

By Akeyria` Edwards

Last month, the Florida Developmental Disabilities Council (FDDC) hosted the kick-off dinner preceding Developmental Disabilities, and Transportation Disadvantaged Day at the State Capitol. The dinner was attended by individuals of varying special abilities, as well as their family, friends, caregivers, and service providers.

At the dinner, Pensacola resident Rachel Caylor Long received the 10th annual Idelio Valdes Leadership and Advocacy award for her efforts in promoting disability awareness throughout her community and exemplary personal achievements.

Named in honor of Idelio Valdes – a South Florida resident, member of the Florida Developmental Disabilities Council (FDDC), and self-advocate who passed away in November 2009 – FDDC first presented the award in 2010 to Broward disabilities advocate Frank Shalett.

Representative Mike Hill (R-Pensacola-Escambia D-1) praised Rachel’s involvement in her community, independence, and advocacy for others with developmental disabilities. Rachel is the office manager of Friends of the Disabled, the secretary of the Special Olympics Input Council, and she has been an employee at Walmart for 12 years. In her community, Rachel worked to organize and host a developmental disabilities awareness event in Pensacola and worked on the Project Empower grant and other community projects. She is always looking for ways to help individuals with disabilities. In her acceptance speech, Rachel called for more advocates in the community and thanked her circle of supporters including her husband.

FDDC, a nonprofit organization charged with advocating and promoting meaningful participation in all aspects of life for Floridians with developmental disabilities, sponsors the award. FDDC, whose mission is to improve the quality of life for persons with developmental disabilities, partners with stakeholders to put on Developmental Disabilities Awareness Day each year. For more information on FDDC, visit www.fddc.org or call 1-800-580-7801.


Representative Mike Hill (R-Pensacola-Escambia D-1) presented the Idelio Valdes Leadership and Advocacy Award to Rachel Caylor Long.