Disability Resource Hubs
Center for Independent Living, Jacksonville (CIL Jacksonville)
Mission: “To empower all people with any disability to achieve their independent living goals by providing community-based programs and self-directed services.”
CIL Jax provides services within the five areas of advocacy, independent skills trainings, information and referral, peer support, and transition. Our services and programs include the following: Assistive technology and equipment, Deaf Empowerment Program (DEP), Disability Victims Advocacy Program, Housing Assistance and Referral Program (HARP), ASL Interpreting Services, CART Real-Time Captioning Services, CORE Interpreter Mentoring Program, Careers 360 Employment Services, James Patrick Personal Assistant Services (JPPAS), Work Incentives Planning and Assistance (WIPA), Ready to Achieve Mentoring Program (RAMP), Youth Career Camps, On-the-Job Training, and Scholarships.
Disability Rights Florida (DRF)
Mission: “[DRF] advocates, educates, investigates, and litigates to protect and advance the rights, dignity, equal opportunities, self-determination and choices for all people with disabilities.”
ADA Information Line, Department of Justice
800-514-0301 (voice) or 833-610-1264 (TTY)
Toll free line answers questions and offers free publications about the ADA.
Publications are also available from the ADA Website.
Florida Alliance for Assistive Services & Technology (FAAST), Inc.
“FAAST is a nonprofit organization whose mission is to improve the quality of life for Floridians with disabilities by increasing access to assistive technology through empowerment and collaboration.
FAAST serves Floridians who have disabilities and their family members, service providers, educators, therapists, employers, health and rehabilitation professionals, assistive technology vendors, procurement officials, and all other interested parties throughout the state of Florida.”
Vocational Rehabilitation (VR)
Mission: “To help people with disabilities find and maintain employment and enhance their independence.”
Rehabilitation Services Administration (RSA)
“The Rehabilitation Services Administration (RSA) provides leadership and resources to assist state and other agencies in providing vocational rehabilitation and other services to individuals with disabilities to maximize their employment, independence, and integration into the community and the competitive labor market.”
Deaf/DeafBlind Centered Organizations / Supports
National Association of the Deaf (NAD)
Mission: “To preserve, protect and promote the civil, human and linguistic rights of Deaf, DeafBlind, DeafDisabled, and Hard of Hearing, and Late-Deafened people in the United States of America.”
o NAD’s Law and Advocacy Center’s Webpage: https://www.nad.org/about-us/law-advocacy-center/
Florida Association of the Deaf (FAD)
“FAD represents the Deaf and hard of hearing community in the state of Florida, covering from legal aspects to general community aspects.”
o FAD Resources Webpage: https://fadcentral.org/resources/
Registry of Interpreters for the Deaf (RID)
Purpose: “… to serve equally our members, profession, and the public by promoting and advocating for qualified and effective interpreters in all spaces where intersectional diverse Deaf lives are impacted.”
Entities can also search for current interpreting service practitioners through the member database and keep up with current ASL interpreter credentialing provisions.
Florida’s Coordinating Council for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing (FCCDHH)
FCCDHH is mandated by Section 413.271 Florida Statutes to serve as an advisory and coordinating body which recommends policies that address the needs of Florida’s deaf, hard of hearing, late-deafened and deaf-blind community.
Deaf Seniors of America (DSA)
“DSA is a nonprofit organization that serves as an advocate for Deaf seniors by providing information and educational programs designed to enhance their physical, economic and social well-being and promote the common interests of Deaf seniors.”
Helen Keller National Center for Deaf Blind Youths and Adults (HKNC)
“HKNC is the only national program providing comprehensive vocational rehabilitation services to youth (16 and older), working-age adults and seniors (55 and better) with combined hearing and vision loss.”
Language First
“Aims to educate and raise awareness about American Sign Language (ASL)/English bilingualism and the importance of a strong first language foundation for Deaf and hard of hearing (DHH) children.”
Florida DeafBlind Association (FDBA)
Goal: “To provide resources that encourage opportunities for the DeafBlind individual to participate in community activities and to enhance accommodations at his/her job or school.”
Florida Division of Blind Services (FDBS)
Mission: “To ensure blind and visually-impaired Floridians have the tools, support and opportunity to achieve success.”
Legal Supports
Disability Advocacy and Inclusion Law (DIAL) Clinic, Nova Southeastern University Law School
For disability legal questions, email DIAL’s clinical director, Matthew Dietz, at mdietz@nova.edu
Fair Housing Videos in ASL
Florida Directory of Legal Aid Organizations
Florida’s Coordinating Council for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing (FCCDHH)
FCCDHH is mandated by Section 413.271 Florida Statutes to serve as an advisory and coordinating body which recommends policies that address the needs of Florida’s deaf, hard of hearing, late-deafened and deaf-blind community.
DIG’s Disability Rights Laws and Information Webpage
This webpage includes information regarding the ADA, IDEA, Fair Housing Act, 21st Century Communications and Video Accessibility Act (CVAA), Air Carrier Access Act (ACAA), Architectural Barrier Act (ABA), Florida Civil Rights Act, and select Florida county ordinances.
The American Bar Association
Document: Court Access for Individuals Who Are Deaf and Hard of Hearing, A Guide
The Arc’s National Center on Criminal Justice and Disability
Document: Violence, Abuse and Bullying Affecting People with Intellectual/Developmental Disabilities: A Call to Action for the Criminal Justice Community.
Mid-Atlantic ADA Center
PPT Presentation: Effective Communication in the Criminal Justice System: Lessons from Case Law
National Association of the Deaf (NAD)
Web page: Communication Access in State and Local Courts
National Organization for Victim Assistance
Web page: Working with Victims of Crime with Disabilities
The Office of the State Courts Administrator, Florida State
Florida Court’s Website for ADA Compliance
- Document: Florida’s Domestic Violence Benchbook, June 2020
- Document: Title II Guidelines for the State Courts System of Florida
Supporting Justice Website
Resources for lawyers, judicial officers, and court professionals.
US Department of Justice, Bureau of Justice Statistics
Document: Crime Against Persons with Disabilities, 2009-2015- Statistical Tables
Vera Institute of Justice
Web page: End Abuse of People with Disabilities Document: How Safe are Americans with Disabilities?
We Capable
List of Disabilities Covered Under Rights of Persons with Disabilities Act, 2016 (RPWD Act)
Medical Resources
National Deaf Therapy
Deaf-owned organization providing therapy sessions, subscriptions to in-depth mental health tools, resources, and guided ASL videos, and workshops, training sessions and presentations for community members, wellness providers, organizations, mental health interpreters, and more.
Center for Deaf Health Equity, Gallaudet University
“This center conducts patient-centered research to link accessibility to health outcomes among deaf and hard of hearing individuals. We research and share findings because we believe deaf people deserve equitable access to health care.”
Health Signs Center, Inc.
“…a center for all things public health in American Sign Language.”
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)
Document: Communicating with and About People with Disabilities
Document: Disability Statistics
Web page: Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System (BFRSS)
Web page: Disability and Health Overview
Web page: Prevalence of Disability and Disability Types by Urban-Rural County Classification, US, 2016
Other Resources
Administration For Community Living (ACL)
“ACL was created around the fundamental principle that older adults and people of all ages with disabilities should be able to live where they choose, with the people they choose, and with the ability to participate fully in their communities.”
HUD Resources for People With Disabilities
“This page is designed to answer frequently asked questions on the housing rights of people with disabilities and the responsibilities of housing providers and building and design professionals under federal law.”
National Council For Independent Living
“NCIL advances independent living and the rights of people with disabilities. NCIL envisions a world in which people with disabilities are valued equally and participate fully.”
Florida Career Source
“CareerSource Florida is the statewide workforce policy and investment board. Our partners include the Department of Economic Opportunity, 24 local workforce development boards and 100 career centers throughout Florida.”
Florida Arc
“Working with local, state, and national partners, The Arc of Florida advocates for local chapters, public policies, and high quality supports for people with developmental and other disabilities to be fully included in all aspects of their community.”
Florida Developmental Disabilities Council
“The Florida Developmental Disabilities Council affects policy and services for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities, their families and their supports through education, advocacy and partnerships.”