Highlands
District Resources

Highlands County resources related to the transition of students with disabilities are provided in multiple categories in the box to the right. Some resources may be included in more than one category.

Student/Family Resources

The Able Trust 
info@abletrust.org 
(850) 224-4493 (Voice/TDD) |  (888) 838-2253 
Supports non-profit vocational rehabilitation programs throughout Florida with fund-raising, grant making and public awareness of disability issues with the goal of assisting Floridians with disabilities in achieving employment.

Aktion Club 
aktionclub@kiwanis.org
(800) KIWANIS (5492647) ext. 390
A community-service group for adult citizens who live with a disability that provides opportunities for developing initiative and leadership skills, serving the community, integrating into society and demonstrating the dignity and value of citizens living with disabilities.

AmeriCorps/Volunteer Florida - Tallahassee
info@volunteerflorida.org
(850) 921-5172
Provides opportunities to meet community needs through one or two-year service commitments to community and national nonprofits. Participants learn collaboration, communication, leadership and other life skills while earning a modest living allowance with health and education benefits.

Center for Autism and Related Disabilities (CARD) - University of South Florida
Lisa Fox | card-usf@fmhi.usf.edu
(813) 974-2532
Provides information and consultation to individuals diagnosed with autism spectrum disorders and related disabilities as well as instruction and coaching to families and professionals through a training and assistance model.

Family Network on Disabilities 
Rich La Belle, Executive Director | richlabelle@fndfl.org 
(727) 523-1130 | (800) 825-5736 
Network of individuals who may be at-risk, have disabilities, or have special needs and their families, professionals, and concerned citizens; programs include Parent Education Network (PEN); Transition, Independent Living, Employment & Support (TILES); Florida Parent Information and Resource Center (PIRC); and Parents Educating Parents in the Community (PEP).

Florida Alliance for Assistive Services and Technology (F.A.A.S.T.) 
faast@faast.org
(850) 487-3278 | (888) 788-9216 
Provides advocacy and awareness activities that increase access to and acquisition of assistive services and technology including a loan program to try out assistive technology (AT), assistance with purchasing AT, an emergency AT fund, and information on affordable housing.

Florida Diagnostic and Learning Resources System (FDLRS) 
Rebecca Cox | rebeccacox@heartlanded.org
(863) 531-0444 ext. 232
Provides diagnostic and instructional support services to district exceptional student education programs and families of students with exceptionalities statewide

Florida Inclusion Network (FIN)
Contact FDLRS Heartland
(863) 531-0444
Provides learning opportunities, consultation, information, and support to educators, families, and community members to promote all students learning together in a welcoming environment that incorporates integrated services, supports, and curricula that are effective and research-based.

Florida Youth Leadership Forum (FYLF)
Goodwill Industries - Suncoast, Inc.
Goodwill JobWorks | (727) 577-6411
Goodwill’s Supported Employment Program | (888) 279-1988
Goodwill’s IMPACT Services | (888) 279-1988
Goodwill’s Career Assessment and Planning | (888) 279-1988
Provides vocational testing and observation in work settings, reports and recommendations to the State of Florida Division of Vocational Rehabilitation or other referring agencies, customized job training, employment placement, and access to transportation, childcare and other services to people who have disabilities, lack education or job experience, or face employment challenges.

Ridge Area Arc
Pete Zeegers, Director of Programs and Service | pzeegers@ridgeareaarc.org
(863) 452-1295
Ridge Area Arc is a non-profit 501(c)3 and has been open for 50 years. It provides 12 services to approximately150 individuals with developmental and other disabilities.

Multiagency Network for Students with Emotional/Behavioral Disabilities (SEDNET)
Hilary Grondin | Hilary.grondin@polk-fl.net
Enhances the system of care for families and students with emotional disabilities through facilitation, collaboration, and direct intervention, as well as research and development, with a network of key stakeholders

Special Olympics
(352) 243-9536
Provides year-round sports training and competition in a variety of Olympic-type sports for people with intellectual disabilities