One Voice Brevard

03/16/2026

Good morning ! Will we see you at the Enrollment Forum today?

More additional forums next week for iBudget Florida Waiver Enrollment hosted by APD Florida (Agency for Persons with Disabilities). These are for individuals and families who have received waiver enrollment offers for the iBudget Florida Waiver and are designed to give individuals and families who recently received waiver enrollment offers the opportunity to meet one-on-one with the Agency and the Department of Children and Families (DCF). Questions should be directed to your local APD office.

03/16/2026

Join us THURSDAY MARCH 19 @ 7-8:30pm EST (Zoom)

MORE THAN WORDS: MYTHS & FACTS ABOUT AAC AND DOWN SYNDROME
WITH AMY MARQUEZ, M.S., CCC-SLP

Many families worry that Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC) will prevent or limit speech or that it’s only appropriate for individuals with severe disabilities.

Research tells a very different story.

Join DSAF and Amy Marquez, MS, CCC-SLP, for this engaging and practical workshop as we break down the most common myths about AAC and explore the evidence-based facts. You’ll learn how AAC can support speech and language development and empower individuals with Down syndrome and other developmental disabilities to communicate more effectively in everyday life.

If you’re beginning to explore AAC, this workshop will provide clear information, reassurance, and practical strategies to help you move forward with confidence.

Time will be provided after the presentation for Q&A.
This workshop is open to both families and professionals.

REGISTRATION LINK:
https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/BNwLpMyGQ3aiGgyQkjSKNg #/registration

03/14/2026

The 2026 Legislative Session ended on 13 March without finalizing the budget. A special session has been called for mid-April for this discussion.

But this also means that the end has come for bills to be passed. This year, roughly 1,989 bills were filed. Of those filed, only 234 made it through. (Roughly 12% total.)

https://www.wusf.org/politics-issues/2026-03-13/florida-2026-legislative-session-ends-what-passed-what-failed-whats-next

Below, you will find the final numbers for our community.

03/14/2026

03/13/2026

Extra Extra Read All About It!

About OLBC that is! The 2026 spring edition of OLBC’s newsletter OLBC News and Words is out now! Be sure to check out what’s happening with Orlando LetterBoard Community!

If you’re not on our e-mail list, post your
e-mail address in the comments below or DM us to get your copy today!

03/13/2026

03/12/2026

03/12/2026

The Trump administration has moved to give the government legal guardianship over homeless veterans, which could include involuntary or institutional mental health and drug addiction care.

The VA said the guardianships might be needed for “hundreds of Veterans who are unable to make their own healthcare decisions and have no family or legal representation to help them.”

The new system would allow the VA to initiate and take part in the legal process. The change comes after President Trump last summer issued an executive order that called for an increase in hospitalizations, even if involuntary, to reduce homelessness and “vagrancy, disorderly behavior, sudden confrontations, and violent attacks” in the U.S.

Critics of involuntary civil-commitment programs argue they violate civil liberties and stigmatize mental illness.

The conservatorships may be a “lifeline” for veterans who are stuck in the complex legal and healthcare systems, the Justice Department said Wednesday.

🔗 Read more: https://on.wsj.com/3NxVxq3

03/12/2026

NCD has a new RFI in support of our federal agency's project to create a state, local, territory and tribal (SLTT) emergency management toolkit, offering practices and guidance on how to create an EM plan inclusive of people with disabilities. https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2026/03/09/2026-04513/request-for-information-creation-of-a-state-local-territory-and-tribal-emergency-management-toolkit

03/11/2026

Starting or growing a business while receiving SSDI or SSI can raise important questions about income and benefits.

Join NDI’s Small Business Hub for Part 1 of a two-part live webinar series: SSDI and SSI and Self-Employment. Aleyd a Toruno, work incentives associate at the Yang Tan Institute on Employment and Disability at Cornell University, will walk through how self-employment can affect benefits and what entrepreneurs should know.

March 18 | 2 PM ET

Register today: https://www.disabilitysmallbusiness.org/event/small-business-webinar-ssdi-and-ssi-and-self-employment-two-part-event/

Image description: A teal and white promotional graphic for the NDI Small Business Hub. The headline reads “2 Part Live Webinar Series Part 1: SSDI and SSI and Self-Employment.” The graphic features a circular headshot of Aleyd a Toruno, who is smiling and wearing a dark blazer, identified as a work incentives associate at the Yang Tan Institute on Employment and Disability at Cornell University. The date and time are listed as March 18, 2026, at 2:00 p.m. ET. The NDI Small Business Hub logo appears at the top.

03/11/2026

“The deadline to request a vote-by-mail ballot for these elections is Thursday, March 12!”

/www.floridatoday.com/story/news/politics/elections/2026/03/11/florida-special-elections-vote-by-mail-request-deadline/89068168007/

Florida voters have until March 12 to request vote-by-mail ballots for three special elections on March 24.