Governor's Commission on Disabilities Recommends Strategies for Increased Access to Persons With Disabilities

TALLAHASSEE – Governor Charlie Crist today accepted the initial recommendations of the Governor’s Commission on Disabilities, developed after one year of information gathering and four public meetings held in Tallahassee, Orlando, Jacksonville and Miami. Appointed by Governor Crist in July 2007, the commission represents all Floridians with disabilities, including persons with developmental disabilities, mental illness, brain and spinal cord injuries, and visual and hearing impairments, as well as senior citizens and veterans with disabilities.

“For the first time in Florida history, representatives from across the full spectrum of disability groups came together to evaluate the needs of all people with disabilities,” Governor Crist said. “The commission’s report represents their efforts to speak with one voice and to improve the quality of life for Floridians.”

The commission received public testimony and heard expert presentations concerning the barriers that interfere with the independence of persons with disabilities and their inclusion in society. The suggested recommendations provide strategies for overcoming those barriers. While some of the recommendations are far-reaching and will require legislation and time to incorporate, some can be achieved through changes in administrative procedures.

“It was truly an honor to serve the Governor in this capacity. I am proud of all the members of the commission and of all their hard work,” said Lance Block, chairman of the commission. “I believe that these recommendations will help the Governor fulfill his sincere commitment to helping Florida’s 3.2 million people with disabilities.”

The 49 recommendations outlined in the annual report address the four areas specified in the Governor’s Executive Order establishing the commission: employment, education, independent living and transportation. In addition, the commission chose to also address the civil rights of persons with disabilities. The commission selected the five subject areas as initial steps toward enabling Floridians with disabilities to realize their full potential as independent individuals and experience inclusion into their communities. The needs addressed by the recommendations include the following:

• Opportunities for career training, higher education and employment.
• Strategies to help students with disabilities transition from school to work.
• Accessibility of educational materials to students with disabilities.
• Availability of affordable and accessible housing and transportation for persons with disabilities.

About the Governor’s Commission on Disabilities

On July 26, 2007, the 17th anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), Governor Crist signed Executive Order 07–148, creating the commission. He charged them with the mission to advance public policy for Floridians with disabilities and to provide a forum for advocates representing the disabilities community to develop and voice unified concerns and recommendations for improvements.

Later, Executive Order 07–244 finalized the membership of the 21–member commission. Representatives include individuals with hearing impairments, visual impairments, developmental disabilities, spinal cord or brain injuries and mental illnesses, as well as elderly individuals and disabled veterans and the executive director of the Statewide Advocacy Council. In addition, the following organizations are represented: Centers for Independent Living, the Division of Vocational Rehabilitation, the Florida Division of Blind Services, the Florida Department of Health, the Florida Department of Education, the Florida Department of Children and Families, the Florida Agency for Health Care Administration, the Florida Agency for Persons with Disabilities, the Florida Department of Elder Affairs, the Florida Department of Veterans Affairs, the Florida Agency for Workforce Administration, the Florida Commission for the Transportation Disadvantaged; and the Florida Division of Emergency Management.

For more information regarding the Governor’s Commission on Disabilities, or to access the full report, please visit dms.myflorida.com/other_programs/commission_on_disabilities.