English Advocacy and Leadership Opportunities Guide RBOA - Manual / Resource - Page 11
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Special Olympics Florida – Board of Directors
Ø “The mission of Special Olympics Florida is to provide year-round sports training and
competition in a variety of Olympic-type sports for people with intellectual disabilities
who wish to participate, giving them continuing opportunities to develop physical
fitness, demonstrate courage, experience joy and participate in the sharing of gifts,
skills, and friendship with their families, other Special Olympics athletes, and the
community.”
Ø The Special Olympics Florida Board of Directors includes representation of people with
disabilities through its athletes.
Ø Special Olympics Florida also offers Athlete Leadership opportunities.
§ Phone: (352)243-9536
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The Bureau of Exceptional Student Education (BESE) - State Advisory Panel
Ø “The State Advisory Panel for the Education of Exceptional Students (SAP) is appointed
by the Commissioner of Education, commensurate with the Individuals with Disabilities
Education Improvement Act (IDEA 2004). The SAP provides policy guidance with respect
to the provision of exceptional education and related services for Florida’s children with
disabilities. The Committee operates under the auspices of the Bureau of Exceptional
Student Education, Florida Department of Education.”
§ BEESS Resource & Information Center
• Phone: (850) 245-9759
• Email: PRR@fldoe.org
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The Center for Autism & Related Disabilities (CARD) Constituency Boards
Ø There are seven regional Centers for Autism & Related Disabilities (CARD) within Florida.
These centers provide, “individualized support, professional training, parent education
seminars and technical assistance to individuals with autism and related disabilities,
their families, schools, service providers and community groups.”
Ø Each of the seven centers obtains advisement related to its priorities from a
constituency board. Constituency Boards are made up of individuals with autism and
related disabilities as well as their family members.
§ UF CARD Jacksonville CARD Constituency Board
• Counties served include Baker, Clay, Duval, Flagler, Nassau, St. Johns
• Phone: (904) 633-0760
§ UF CARD Gainesville CARD Constituency Board
• Counties served include Alachua, Bradford, Citrus, Columbia, Dixie,
Gilchrist, Hamilton, Hernando, Lafayette, Levy, Marion, Putnam,
Suwannee, Union
o Phone: (800) 754-5891
§ FSU Autism Institute CARD Constituency Board:
• Counties served include Bay, Calhoun, Escambia, Franklin, Gadsden,
Gulf, Holmes, Jackson, Jefferson, Leon, Liberty, Madison, Okaloosa,
Santa Rosa, Taylor, Wakulla, Walton, Washington
• Phone: (800) 769-7926
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