Access

Transportation Services
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  • ComfortRide: ComfortRide is a unique disability transportation company that provides all types of transportation services for individuals with limited mobility. 
    • ​​​Phone: (321) 804-5233​
  • Access Lynx: Door-to-door transportation service provided by MV transportation and provides service for eligible individuals who are not able to use the regular fixed bus route services due to a disability or other limitation. 
    • ​​Phone: 408-423-8747
  • Amera Solutions: An Orlando wheelchair taxi and medical transportation service. They provide transportation to individuals within Orange county that need to visit local hospitals, doctors offices, clinics, rehabilitation services and any other locations that provide health care services. 
    • ​​Phone: 866-948-7616
  • Pace ADA Paratransit Services: Local paratransit service in Lake county that provides services to individuals with a disability within ¾ mile of local fixed routes. 
    • Phone: 847-364-7223
  • Stellar Transport: Non-emergency medical transportation service in Melbourne. Provides a door-to-door service that takes you to doctor appointments and any other medical services that you may need. They also offer long distance non-emergency medical transportation if you need to travel 150 miles or more. 
 

Durable Medical Equipment
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  • Horizons Medical Supplies: Cost-effective, quality home medical equipment, supplies, and home care services to individuals in Central Florida. Offers large assortment of high-quality medical products including bath safety products, canes, crutches, hospital beds, wheelchairs, walkers, and more. Provides equipment repair services, installations, and rental equipment. Rentals vary from daily, weekly, bi-weekly, and monthly options, depending on the specific type of equipment.
    • ​​Phone: 407-240-8600
  • Colonial Medical Supplies: Provides quality supplies and personalized care to help manage health at home. Equipment includes CPAP, custom power and manual wheelchairs, support surfaces, walkers, patient lifts, and more. 
    • ​​Phone: 800-747-0246
  • Orlando Medical Rentals: Large variety of medical equipment rentals serving every stage of life from infants to older adults. Offer new and used items for sale, in addition to rentals. Equipment includes wheelchairs, scooters, power chairs, walking aids, pediatric equipment, and more. 
    • ​​Phone: 877-356-9943

Community Involvement

Local Support Groups

  • Chronic Pain Support Group with American Chronic Pain Association (ACPA): Group for anyone living with ongoing/chronic pain. This group provides support, validation and education in basic pain management and life skills. Group meets every Tuesday from 4pm-5:15pm at the Counseling office of J Camp, N Deaver and E Palmer 442 North Dillard Street, Suite 2, Winter Garden FL, 34787.
    • ​Phone: 407-801-8372
  • ALS Support Group: This group is open to persons living with ALS, caregivers, and families and provide opportunities to learn more about living with the disease and developing a strong support system. Group in Orlando meets the first Wednesday of every month from 1:00-2:00 pm. 
  • Mighty Survivors MS Support Group: Support group that provides a chance for individuals with MS and their families and friends to share common experiences and concerns and receive emotional support and information related to the disease on living and coping with MS. Group meets the 3rd Wednesday of each month in person from 10:00-12:00 pm. 
    • ​Address: National Training Center, 1932 Don Wickham Drive, Clermont, FL 34711
  • Myasthenia Gravis Support Groups
    • ​​Orlando support group 
      • Group meets the second Saturday of even months from 10:00-12:00pm. It is located at Orlando Regional Medical Center, North Tower, Classroom NT1 & NT3.
      • Email [email protected] or call 407-273-9864 for more information. 
    • Melbourne support group 
      • Meets January 11th, March 14th, May 9th, July 11th, September 12th and November 14th from 10:00-12:00 pm at the Steward Melbourne Hospital, 250 N. Wickham Rd., Melbourne, FL 32935.
  • Caregiver Support Groups - Alzheimer’s & Dementia Resource Center: Current Support groups are conducted via zoom platform due to COVID. Call 407-436-7750 for more information. 
  • ​​Alzheimer’s Orange County Caregiver Support Group: Currently, all support groups sessions are through Zoom. If interested in joining zoom group support sessions email or call. 
  • Orlando Brain Injury Support Group: This group includes survivors of TBI, caregivers, family members and advocates and provides a safe environment for individuals to support each other and share their needs. Speakers from the community attend some meetings as well. These meetings take place on the 3rd Wednesday of the month from 6:30-8:30 pm at the Beardall Senior Center, 800 Delaney Ave, Orlando, FL 32801. They also have a Brain Game night on the 4th Wednesday of the month at the same location that involves fun games and activities.

Community Fitness Classes

  • Central Florida Dreamplex: The Central Florida Dreamplex is a facility located in Orlando and Clermont Florida that is designed for individuals with physical or cognitive disabilities. The center provides programs for traditional and recreational therapies, adaptive sports, and group fitness classes. 
  • CORE: Center of Recovery and Exercise Adaptive Fitness: Fit Program involves coach-led adaptive group classes that can be performed from wheelchair or with assistive device. Classes are Monday, Wednesday, Friday at 11 am. Wellness Program involves open gym access 6 days a week including numerous adaptive strength and cardio equipment options. 
    • ​​Phone: 407-636-5235 
  • Central Florida Adaptive Sports Club: Sports club for individuals with disabilities and wounded soldiers. Offers competitive and recreational programs open to adults and youth.
  • Freedom Ride: Freedom Ride is dedicated to enrich the lives and experiences of children and adults with disabilities in the Central Florida area through therapeutic horseback riding and related activities. ​

Pediatric Resources

  • UCP Summer Enrichment Program: UCP summer camps are for children of all abilities. Summer camps offer morning only or full day week long programs at various locations throughout Central Florida. Each week has a special theme and children area able to participate in academic, performing arts, sports or arts and craft activities. Fees vary based on location and length of day. Physical, speech and occupational therapy are also offered and on-site. 
    • ​​Phone: 407-852-3300
  • UCF- Go Baby Go! Cars for Kids: UCF Go Baby Go! provides children with mobility limitations, aged 6 months - 5 years old, modified ride-on cars, drastically impacting their lives by getting them moving. Apply for a Go Baby Go car today.
  • ​Buddy Break Programs: Buddy Break is a FREE Parents’ Day Out/Respite program. This is open to children with disabilities and their siblings. This is designed to give caregivers of children with disabilities a break from their ongoing care-giving responsibilities. Many different ministries offer this service, either on Friday night’s or Saturday morning’s for 3 hours at a time. 
  • Orlando Shakes: Shakespeare with Heart is a collaboration between UCP of Central Florida, the Exceptional Education Department of UCF, and the Orlando Shakes which brings students with and without special needs together over a two-week period to produce a Shakespeare play. All students participate in daily voice, movement, and warm-up activities before rehearsing together to put on a fully produced performance on the Margeson Stage in Orlando. This program is open to middle and high school students. 
  • ​Camp Boggy Creek: Located a short drive from Orlando, Camp Boggy Creek serves children ages 7-16 who’ve been diagnosed with chronic or life threatening conditions. Camp Boggy Creek is free of charge and hopes to provide campers and their families a safe, medically-sound camping experience
  • ​Children with Challenges Swim Classes: Longwood Aquatics, located at Lyman High School, offers private swim lessons to children with special needs. Open to children with physical/orthopedic challenges, intellectual/cognitive challenges, developmental delay, sensory processing disorders, learning disorders, and emotional/behavioral challenges.

​Prescription Drug Assistance

  • Care Connect USA: Discount drug cards available for families having trouble paying for prescriptions. Up to 75% off prescription medications at over 40,000 pharmacy locations. 
    • ​​Phone: 800-291-1206
  • Heart of Florida United Way: FamilyWize: FamilyWize prescription medication discount cards. On average, the discount card gives a savings of 40%. To request a card today, contact Heart of Florida United Way by dialing 2-1-1. Located in Orlando, Florida but serves all counties of Florida. 
    • Phone: 2-1-1 (to request a card today)
    • FamilyWize Prescription Downloadable App on Apple App Store, Google Play, and Windows Phone Store
    • Email: [email protected] 
    • Phone: 407-835-0900 (Heart of Florida United Way)
  • Loaves and Fishes (Apopka): Funded by contributions from churches, businesses, schools, civic groups and individuals. Organization screens families to ensure legitimate need, and provides assistance with food, baby items, household items, toiletries, and prescriptions. 
  • ​RxAssist: Website that provides an online database of patient assistance programs and other resources to help find ways to reduce medication costs. 
  • Walmart $4 Prescription List: Walmart offers $4 30-day supply of many generic medications, and 90-day supply for just $10. No insurance necessary. Use this link to search for your medication in their database, sorted by diagnosis.
  • ​GoodRx: GoodRx is a startup company which operates a free-to-use website and mobile app that tracks prescription drug prices and offers drug coupons throughout the United States.
  • Publix Pharmacy Free Medication Program: offers select meds for free! Publix also has a 90 Day Supply  for only $7.50 Med List for the next best thing to free medication. 

Additional Local Resources

Education and Employment

Skills Training & Employment

  • Aspire to Hire: A CIL program that offers a variety of services such as pre-employment skills training, self-advocacy, on the job training and peer mentoring. The focus of this program is to help individuals find and maintain inclusive, competitive, and meaningful employment. 
  • Winter Park FL office
    • ​​Phone: 407-623-1070
  • Opportunity, Community, Ability (OCA)- A Special Place for Special Needs: The mission of OCA is to enable individuals and families with autism or other disabilities the opportunity to maximize their abilities through functional, behavioral, social, recreational, and vocational programs. OCA offers programs in Recreation Club, Adult Vocational Training, School Break and Summer Day Camps, Social Skills Events, Respite and Behavior Therapy.
    • ​​Phone: 407-808-7837
  • Division of Vocational Rehabilitation: Florida Department of Education: Vocational Rehabilitation is a federal-state program that focuses on helping individuals with disabilities get or keep a job. They offer job coaching, on-the-job training, career counseling, and much more. The website provides the address and contact information for their offices in East Central Florida.
    • ​​Phone: (800) 451-4327 
  • Job Accommodation Network (JAN): Free, expert, and confidential one-on-one guidance on workplace accommodations and disability employment issues. Works to achieve practical solutions that benefit both employers and employees by helping individuals with disabilities enhance their employability and by showing employers how to capitalize on the value and talent that individuals with disabilities add to the workplace. 
    • Phone: (800) 526-7234
    • ​​Live chat available on website
  • Lighthouse Central Florida: Adult Services: Skills programs for adult individuals living with blindness or visual impairment. Programs include independent living skills, technology training, orientation and mobility, and braille services.
    • Address: 215 East New Hampshire Street Orlando, FL 32804
    • ​​Phone: (407) 898-2483
  • Best Buddies Jobs Program (Orlando, FL market): Secures jobs for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities, allowing them to earn an income, pay taxes, and support themselves independently. Provides ongoing support following the assistance through the hiring process. 
  • Summer@CIP Brevard (College Internship Program): This program helps prepare young adults with special needs with the valuable skills necessary for transitioning from high school to college. Participants are given many opportunities to practice skills in a supported environment where they feel successful. 
    • ​​Phone: 877-566-9247
  • UCF CARD Services and PALS: UCF CARD Services (Center for Autism & Related Disabilities) provides additional opportunities and support for individuals with Autism Spectrum Disorder, and related disorders. UCF CARD Services provides opportunities within the local community through social, family, collaborative, therapeutic awareness and educational programs and events. PALS (Providing Autism Links and Supports), offers social enhancement programs, community collaborative programs, therapeutic programs and family programs based on the individual's age. Services are available to individuals 2 - 18+ years old.


Personal Enrichment Programs

  • SHARP Musical Experiences: SHARP Musical Experiences provides a variety of musical events for individuals with ASD and other forms of developmental disabilities, as well as their families. Their goal is to provide ongoing concert opportunities where a family can experience live music events in a nonjudgmental environment.
  • The Central Florida Miracle League: The Miracle League is a special needs baseball league in Orlando. Their goal is to help individuals with disabilities improve their self-esteem and make new friends. Currently, they play on the field at Trotter’s Park, located at 2701 Lee Road, Orlando, Florida, 32810. 
    • ​​Phone:407-308-2220
  • Attain, Inc. Community Adult Day Training: Provides programs and services for individuals with developmental disabilities in Central Florida. The Adult Day Training program is an integrated community based experience which focuses on participation, enjoyment of life, improved social skills, and independence. Provides training in activities of daily living, self-advocacy, and adaptive and social skills through increased appropriate socialization, cooperation with staff and peers, and participation in a variety of community activities. Program is especially tailored and designed for adults with disabilities who may benefit from behavioral analysis services. 
    • ​​Phone: 407-965-3018
  • American Multi-Cinema (AMC) Sensory Friendly Films: Partnership between AMC and the Autism Society, offering unique movie showings where the lights are turned up and sound is turned down to allow participants to get up, dance, walk, shout, or sing throughout the movie. Participating movie theaters in the area include: AMC Altamonte Mall 18, AMC CLASSIC West Melbourne 12, AMC DINE-IN Disney Springs 24, and AMC West Oaks 14. Sensory Friendly Film program is available on 2nd and 4th Saturday (family-friendly) and Wednesday evenings (mature audiences) of every month. 
    • ​​Check local theater listings for specific showtimes. 
  • Autism and Related Disabilities Gym: The Autism and Related Disabilities Gym is open to individuals of all ages, any disability, and their families. They operate as a non-profit in Central Florida, and provide activities such as Basketball, Kickball, Swimming, Bowling, Field Trips, Prom, etc. Currently they are located at the Jim Beech Recreation Center in Ocoee, Florida.
    • ​​Phone: 407-234-7456
  • Autism Art: The Autism Society of Greater Orlando established an art program for adults with ASD who are looking for a meaningful day program which allows them to express themselves through art. Participants will be responsible for a material fee, however the ASGO will cover the cost of the certified art teacher/board certified ABA therapist. 
    • ​​Phone: 407-885-0235
  • Quest’s Camp Thunderbird: Quest’s Camp Thunderbird provides recreational programs to adults with developmental disabilities. This is a six-day overnight camp, which provides individuals a chance to learn new skills, focus on the remarkable things they can do, while making new friends and unforgettable memories. For many families, this can offer a much needed break from the demands of 24- hour caregiving.
  • Joyful Music Therapy: Music therapy motivates those with disabilities to actively engage in musical experiences while working on functional goals like attention, communication, motor skills, social interaction, and emotional skills. Individual and group sessions are available. Joyful Music Therapy serves clients in school, assisted living facilities, group homes, community centers, at their home, and at their music therapy center in Winter Park.
  • Buddy Ball: ​Buddy Ball is a free program for individuals aged 5 to 20 years old with special needs that are interested in playing baseball or softball. Players are allowed a “buddy” to help them hit, throw and move around the bases during the game. Games are played weekly at the BrightHouse Sports Network Buddy Ball Stadium at Eastmonte Park in Altamonte Springs. For more information on participating visit the website or contact Commissioner Sarah Reece at (407) 463-2504.

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​Transition from Pediatric to Adult Care

  • Opportunity, Community, Ability (OCA)- A Special Place for Special Needs: Offers individuals and families with autism or other disabilities functional, behavioral, social, recreational, and vocational programs to maximize abilities and live within the community. OCA offers programs for children from preschool through school age, allowing for a smooth transition into the adult programs when a child turns 18.
  • Lighthouse Central Florida: Transition for Teens: Transition services provided to students ages 14-22 that are currently being served by the school system under an Individualized Education Plan (IEP). Involves an expanded core curriculum complementing the IEP, but also extending into vocational training and social experiences. Specifically provides services for individuals living with blindness and vision loss. Group sessions occur twice per month. Individualized sessions are available throughout the week. 
    Also offers early intervention services for children from birth through age five, children’s program for students age 5 through 13, and adult services. 
    • Phone: (407) 898-2483
    • Address: 215 East New Hampshire Street Orlando, FL 32804
  • Florida Health and Transition Services (HATS): For Youth and Families: Large collection of resources for individuals and their families regarding graduating from pediatric to adult health care in Florida. Includes informational briefs with transition-related tips and resources, skill-building curricula and videos, readiness checklists and care plans, and condition-specific materials for specific patient populations. 

Funding and Assistance

Grants & Financial Assistance

  • Florida Supportive Housing Coalition: Advocacy organization dedicated to fostering the development of supportive housing for individuals with special needs. Assistance provided to individuals in need of short or long term supportive housing. 
    • ​​Phone: 904-359-9650
  • The Colton Society Inc.: Publicly funded, non-profit organization serving central Florida. Provide families with assistance on case by case basis. Offer assistance with medical equipment, medications/prescriptions, rent/mortgage, groceries, and transportation. 
  • Access: (Automated Community Connection to Economic Self Sufficiency ) Florida Program helps to promote strong and economically self-sufficient communities by providing food, cash and medical assistance to individuals and families on the road to economic recovery.
  • ​Able Trust: supports individuals, non-profit organizations and vocational rehabilitation programs throughout Florida with fund-raising, grant making and public awareness of disability issues. Able Trust offers grants to individuals in a variety of areas including equipment needed for employment and employment assistance that could not be provided by an agency of the State of Florida or in emergency situations. Individual grants for on-the-job accommodation average $2,000-$3,000.
  • In Charge: Website that provides information on various government assistance, grant and loan programs for individuals with disabilities. ​​
  • Financial Assistance and Support Services: Website that xxplore a wide range of programs and tools to help with housing, taxes, medical bills, service and emotional support animals, and more.
  • New Horizon Loan Program: Purpose of this loan is to help individuals with disabilities finance assistive technology at reasonable interest rates. 
    • ​​Phone: 1-844-FL-FAAST (352-2278)​
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http://freedomride.com/programs/therapeuticriding.html
*This website was created using a variety of sources including the online resources listed, but is not intended to substitute or replace the professional medical advice you receive from your physician. The content provided here is for informational purposes only, and was not designed to diagnose or treat a health problem or disease. Please consult your physician with any questions or concerns you may have regarding your condition*