Advocacy Network on Disabilities

02/02/2026

Important information for families

The Agency for Health Care Administration (AHCA) invites families to join upcoming virtual or in-person information sessions to learn more about the Intellectual & Developmental Disabilities Comprehensive Managed Care (ICMC) program.

These sessions are designed for families who have an adult child with an intellectual and developmental disability and want to learn more about this new program and the supports it offers. Each session will include a panel of subject matter experts from AHCA, Florida Community Care, and the Agency for Persons with Disabilities (APD) to provide information and answer questions.

Upcoming Events:
WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 18
5:30-7PM EST
IN-PERSON: PENSACOLA, FL (No registration needed.)
ARC GATEWAY 1000 E. Fairfield Drive, Pensacola 32503

TUESDAY, MARCH 24
5:30-7PM EST
VIRTUAL: ca57a6a8-fab4-44d3-b28e-7a792e3f97c8@583c5f19-3b64-4ced-b59e-e8649bdc4aa6" rel="ugc" target="_blank">https://events.gcc.teams.microsoft.com/event/ca57a6a8-fab4-44d3-b28e-7a792e3f97c8@583c5f19-3b64-4ced-b59e-e8649bdc4aa6

Visit https://ahca.myflorida.com/icmc-program for more information about the ICMC program and upcoming event times.

02/02/2026

Important information

02/01/2026

We support these bills

🚨Take Action Today - Communication Methods for Persons with Disabilities SB 562/ HB 533

We need your help! Please make FOUR phone calls and send FOUR emails.

Please call and email the Bill Sponsors below and ask them to restore the Bill to its ORIGINAL form and push for it to be put on the Committee schedule because the Bill is important to families like ours. Please include your short personal story.

Senate Bill 562: Senator Garcia - (850) 487-5036 Garcia.Ileana.web@flsenate.gov

House Bill 533: Representative Woodson - (850) 717-5105 marie.woodson@FLHouse.gov

🔗 Call & email scripts:
https://www.autismfl.org/communication-methods-sb562-hb533

Please call and email the Committee Chairs to ask for the Bill to be put on the schedule to be heard because the Bill is important to families like ours. Please include your short personal story.

Senate Bill 562: Senator Grall - (850) 487-5029 Grall.Erin.web@flsenate.gov

House Bill 533: Representative Melo - (850) 717-5082 Lauren.Melo@flhouse.gov

🔗 Call & email scripts:
https://www.autismfl.org/communication-methods-sb562-hb533

Your participation matters.
ACT TODAY. PROTECT COMMUNICATION RIGHTS.

01/27/2026

Today we remember the six million Jewish lives lost in the Holocaust and honor all those targeted by N**i violence.

People with disabilities were among the earliest victims—killed through forced sterilization, institutionalization, and the Aktion T4 program—alongside LGBTQ+ people and countless other marginalized groups targeted by the N**i regime.

We honor their lives.
We remember their humanity.
And we reaffirm our commitment to dignity, inclusion, and a world where everyone belongs.

01/27/2026

Diaper Distribution Event/Evento de Distribución de Pañales/
Evènman Distribisyon Kouchèt
📅 February 5, 2026/ 📅 5 de febrero de 2026/ 📅 5 Fevriye 2026

Essential Item Pick-Up
Donation Drop-Off
Free Community Resources

📍 Location:
Sunshine Health
9552 SW 160th St
Miami, FL 33157

💙 Supporting families and individuals in our community.

Recogida de artículos esenciales
Entrega de donaciones
Recursos gratuitos para la comunidad

💙Apoyando a familias e individuos en nuestra comunidad.

Vin jwenn nou pou:
Ranmase atik esansyèl
Depo donasyon
Resous gratis pou kominote a

💙 Sipò pou fanmi ak moun nan kominote nou an.

01/21/2026

🤗 For some people, especially those who are neurodivergent, physical touch can feel overwhelming. Others may seek touch more often. Comfort with touch is personal — and consent matters for everyone.
Recently, our Senior Inclusion Specialist led a powerful workshop on personal space and boundaries in inclusion classrooms, helping students learn how to:
✔️ Ask before touching
✔️ Respect “no” without judgment
✔️ Understand that boundaries look different for everyone
To help families and educators continue this conversation, we’re sharing a free, ready-to-use lesson plan you can use at home or in the classroom.
👉 Read the full story + download the lesson plan on our website!
Because teaching boundaries isn’t about limiting affection —
💙 it’s about teaching respect, autonomy, and belonging.

Children's Services Council of Broward County The Children's Trust

01/19/2026

Today we honor the life and legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., whose vision of justice was rooted in dignity, equity, and belonging for all people.
Dr. King reminded us that progress is not passive—it requires courage, collective responsibility, and an unwavering commitment to lifting up those who have been historically excluded. His work calls us to continue building communities where differences are embraced, voices are heard, and every individual has the opportunity to thrive.
At the Advocacy Network on Disabilities, we carry forward this legacy by advocating for inclusion, accessibility, and justice—today and every day.
Children's Services Council of Broward County

01/13/2026

Our CEO spent time today learning about board roles with JennyLee Molina and Ashley Castillo. Grateful for the partnership of The Miami Foundation and Philanthropy Miami

12/25/2025

This season, we celebrate connection, compassion, and community. Christmas is a reminder that everyone deserves to feel valued, supported, and included—today and always.
We are deeply grateful for the families, self-advocates, partners, and supporters who walk alongside us every day to build a more accessible and inclusive community for people with disabilities. Your belief in belonging makes our work possible.
May your holiday be filled with peace, love, and moments that matter. From all of us at AND, we wish you a joyful and meaningful Christmas. ❤️

12/19/2025

HOLIDAY OFFICE CLOSURE
Our office will be closed from December 19, 2025 through January 5, 2026 so that our dedicated staff can spend time with their families, rest, and recharge.
We deeply value your connection with us and appreciate your understanding. Your message is important, and we will respond as soon as possible after we reopen on January 5, 2026.
Wishing you peace, joy, and comfort during this holiday season.

CIERRE DE OFICINA POR LAS FIESTAS
Nuestra oficina permanecerá cerrada desde el 19 de diciembre de 2025 hasta el 5 de enero de 2026, para que nuestro dedicado equipo pueda pasar tiempo con sus familias, descansar y recargar energías.
Valoramos profundamente su conexión con nosotros y agradecemos su comprensión. Su mensaje es importante y le responderemos lo antes posible después de nuestra reapertura el 5 de enero de 2026.
Le deseamos paz, alegría y bienestar durante esta temporada festiva.

FÈMTI BIWO PANDAN FÈT YO
Biwo nou an ap fèmen depi 19 desanm 2025 rive 5 janvye 2026, pou ekip devwe nou an ka pase tan ak fanmi yo, pran repo, epi reprann fòs.
Nou bay anpil valè ak koneksyon nou genyen avèk ou epi nou apresye konpreyansyon ou. Mesaj ou enpòtan pou nou, epi n ap reponn ou pi vit posib apre nou relouvri 5 janvye 2026.
Nou swete ou lapè, lajwa, ak byennèt pandan sezon fèt sa a.

12/14/2025

"Happy Hanukkah! This 'Festival of Dedication' reminds us to rededicate ourselves to building a world where everyone belongs and shines. We're so grateful for our amazing community's strength and spirit. Wishing you eight nights of miracles, laughter, and hope! "

12/11/2025

https://www.advocacynetwork.org/honoring-our-ceo-ire-diaz-recognized-by-philanthropymiami-and-the-nonprofit-executive-alliance/

Blog article highlighting how PhilanthropyMiami and the Nonprofit Executive Alliance recognized Advocacy Network on Disabilities CEO Ire Diaz for her inclusive leadership and advocacy for people with disabilities across Miami-Dade and South Florida.