In Florida, 20,000 people with a developmental disability (diagnosis of Mental Retardation, Cerebral Palsy, Autism, Epilepsy, Spina Bifida, and similar conditions) are on the Agency for People with Disabilities, (APD) Wait List for services. Many of these people with disabilities have been on this wait list since 2003 or longer and they are being told that they cannot expect to get any help from APD until 2012, if then. Currently, Florida provides APD services for 30,000 people with a developmental disability, and the state is threatening to cut back these services. Two out of five or 40% of all people with a developmental disability are waiting for life prolonging/saving help.
ABOUT US
Contact Person: Mike Coonan 850 478 2558 mikecoonan@cox.net
Photos on this web site were taken by Matt and Mike Coonan at the Pensacola Miracle League in the fall of 2008
Join Our Discussion Group
Left Behind in Florida has a private discussion group just for families whose child is on APD's Waiting list. This discussion group provides a place for families to talk to each other about their experiences trying to survive while on APD's Waiting List. It also provides a place where these families can support each other. We have resource material about Florida's DD system on file on the discussion page. This discussion group also works on our advocacy projects and coordinates our advocacy efforts. If you are on APD's Waiting List consider joining our discussion group. If you want to join the fight to eliminate APD's Waiting List this is the place to start.
To join, email Michelle G at
mjgross@yahoo.com
To join Left Behind in Florida's discussion group just for parents on APD's waiting list go to
www.groups.yahoo.com/group/LeftBehindInFlorida