Lee
District Resources

Lee 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. This is the link to the Lee Transition Resources Padlet.

Student/Family Resources

The Able Trust   
info@abletrust.org 
(850) 224-4493 (Voice/TDD) 
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   
National Office Customer Service | aktionclub@kiwanis.org
(317) 875-8755 (Indianapolis, IN) | (800) KIWANIS (US & Canada) ext. 390 
LaBelle Office | info@labellekiwanis.com
(863) 675-4043
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
(850) 414-7400
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
Christine Maughan | Christinemaughan@usf.edu
(239) 590-7769
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

Center for Independent Living Gulf Coast (CILGC)
(239) 260-4575 | (855) 260-4575
Provides information and referral services, advocacy, independent living skills training, peer counseling and support for persons with significant disabilities who seek independence and self-reliance

Deaf and Hard of Hearing Center (DHHC)
(239) 461-0334 | (239) 247-5821
Offers community education and outreach, interpreting services, sign language classes, information and referral services, job assistance, advocacy services, equipment sales, telephone equipment loan program and services for families with children who are deaf

Family Care Council Florida, Area 8
Patricia Oglesby, Chairperson
(800) 470-8101
Assists in providing information and services to people with developmental disabilities and their families; also advises the (Agency for Persons with Disabilities) on the needs of self-advocates and their families

Family Network on Disabilities (FND)
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; Some programs include Florida Parent Information and Resource Center (PIRC) and Parents Educating Parents in the Community (PEP)

Florida Alliance for Assistive Services and Technology (FAAST)
Southwest Regional Demonstration Center (Center for Independent Living Gulf Coast)
Phone: (954) 320-6860
SoutheastRDC@FAAST.org
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) - Island Coast
(239) 337-8363   
Provides diagnostic and instructional support services to district exceptional student education programs and families of students with exceptionalities statewide

Florida Inclusion Network (FIN) 
Joya Bella, FIN Facilitator | jbella@contactfin.com
(850) 645-7593 (Office)
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)
info@abletrust.org
(850) 224-4493
Innovative, intensive four-day leadership training program for rising high school juniors and seniors with disabilities that explores personal leadership, academic and career planning, etiquette, technology innovations, disability law, networking and more

Lee County Parks & Recreation
Nancy Apperson, Special Needs Coordinator | napperson@leegov.com
(239) 267-2181
Provides accessible facilities and programming including recreation therapy and adaptive sports

Multiagency Network for Students with Emotional/Behavioral Disabilities (SEDNET) 
Connie Tucker Reece, SEDNET Region 8B Project Manager | connie.reece@glades-schools.org 
Phone: (863) 946-0323
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.

National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI)
(239) 337-9024
Improves the lives of individuals and families affected by mental illness through awareness, support, education, advocacy and research

No Person Left Behind
Linda Carter, Florida Disaster Planning Assistance | mslinda@nopersonleftbehind.org
(239) 368-6846
National "one-stop shop" for information on hurricanes and disasters for seniors and persons with disabilities

Special Olympics
Megan Bosi | Meganbosi@sofl.org
(239) 300-1927
Provides year-round sports training and competition in a variety of Olympic-type sports for people with intellectual disabilities.

Take Stock in Children (Scholarship Program)  
Alicia Miller, Student Services Coordinator | alicia@leeschoolfoundation.org
(239) 377-0433
Helps economically disadvantaged and at-risk children graduate from high school, attend college and become productive citizens by providing college scholarships, volunteer mentors, student advocates, early intervention and long-term support coupled with high standards, parental involvement and community support.