Schools and Programs for Children with Disabilities in Southern Florida
People with disabilities face numerous challenges in society. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, people with disabilities face attitudinal, communication, physical, policy, programmatic, social, and transportation barriers that make it difficult or impossible to function (CDC, 2019). While all people with disabilities bear the blunt of these challenges, children are hit the hardest since it is time they are trying to establish themselves in this world. Therefore, programs for children with disabilities help this vulnerable population to get a better shot at life. This report compiles some of the schools and programs for children with disabilities in South Florida. The report provides a complete description of all services in a program and a contact list for each program.
Divine Academy of Broward
About the School
Divine Academy of Broward is a private school for children with disabilities located in Davie, Florida. The school has 49 students with a student-teacher ratio of 6:1. The school aims at providing students with special needs the opportunity to develop skills for independent living and to enter the workforce. Divine Academy provides services to students of middle high school, high school, and adults with special needs. McKay scholarship is accepted in the institution, and as well, Divine Academy of Broward is SACS accredited. Upon graduation, 50% of students from Divine Academy join 4-year colleges.
Programs
Offers individualized educational program for each student which usually comprise of life skills, social skills, academic instruction, and vocational training. The institution serves students in grades 5 to 12.
Eligibility
The eligibility requirements for Divine Academy are people with disabilities who are able to fit between grades 5 to 12. However, due to the limited resources in the institution, it not able to exceed their 50 students limit.
Contacts
The service representatives at Divine Academy of Broward are reachable on (954) 499-4638 between 8:30 am -2:45 pm or email: divineacademyfl@gmail.com.
Abis Place
About the School
Abi’s Place is a non-profit organization committed to developing the skills of children diagnosed with autism and complex disabilities to create life-long success. Abi’s Place was named after Abigail Zimmerman, who was born in 1999 with developmental disabilities. The place was started to help other children with similar disabilities. The children enrolled at Abi’s Place receive highly individualized education and outpatient services. Moreover, the professionals at Abi’s Place strive to attain community involvement in helping children with disabilities, while they lend support to families. Abi’s Place is located at 1710 University Drive, Coral Springs, Florida. The non-private school focuses on meeting the learning and behavioural needs of children with disabilities. The professionals strive to teach children language, communication, and functional life skills. The classroom ratio for children to teachers is 3:2, which allows children to receive highly individualized attention required to help them achieve their goals. Abi’s Place does not discriminate children based on race, color, religion, gender, sex, age, or status.
Programs
Abi’s Place offers highly individualized educational programs to help children with autism and other disabilities develop their language, communication, and functional life skills. Abi’s Place has four curriculums to help children attain skill development, including thematic programs, ABLLS, Core Curriculum, and TEACCH.
Eligibility
Abi’s Place helps children between the ages of 3-16. The school admits children with autism and other developmental disabilities. The school tries to limit the enrolment to ensure that the student versus teacher ratios is 3:2.
Contacts
The school is reachable through the office: 954-753-4441 and Fax: 954-346-8139. Subsequently, the school is accessible through social media accounts.
Adolph And Rose Levis Jewish Community Center
About the School
The Adolph and Rose Levis Jewish Community Center was established in 1983 to provide enriching programs and services to help people of all ages and abilities to meet their needs. Adolph and Rose Levis Jewish Community Center is located in 9801 Donna Klein Boulevard, Boca Raton, Florida. The center is committed to promoting and enhancing Jewish culture, values, and heritage through spiritual, social, wellness, educational, and recreational programs. The non-profit community agency facilitates teen and family activities, pre-school and summer camping, athletics, adult enrichment, and special needs training. The agency ensures that it is inclusive of everyone in society. The non-profit agency strives to serve the community with a variety of cultural and educational programs throughout the year. Music buffs, travelers, adult students, art lovers, film enthusiasts, and theatergoers alike have access to programs that align with their passion. The center is committed to helping people of ages. Subsequently, there is a yearly enrolment in the learning department.
Programs
Adolph and Rose Levis Jewish Community Center has educational programs that help children develop their knowledge and skills in social/emotional, cognitive, physical, and cultural areas of development. Learning takes place through students engaging in language activities, songs, pre-reading, math games, drama, construction, and experimentation. The teaching professionals at the non-profit agency help children to become successful students, problem solvers, and lifelong learners.
Eligibility
School-age children are encouraged to join the learning center at Adolph and Rose Levis Jewish Community Center. The school admits children from the ages of 2 years. Adults can find programs at the agency that enable them to develop or grow.
Contacts
People can visit the non-profit agency or contact them through phone: 561-852-3200 or email: info@levisjcc.org
Brainchild Institute
About the School
The Brainchild Institute is an organization that helps in addressing the needs of individuals diagnosed with dyslexia and other learning disabilities, autism, cerebral palsy, and ADD/ADHD, among other disabilities. The main office of Brainchild Institute is located in 4350 Sheridan Street, Suite 101 Hollywood, Florida. The current director of Brainchild Institute is Dr. Leah Light, who has extensive knowledge in neuroscience, speech pathology, educational kinesiology, audiology, and special education. The institute consists of professionals in the medical and educational sectors who collaborate to help children improve brain processing, language, and communication skills, hearing loss, and improving their learning potentials. The institute also has a department that acts as a crucial resource for students that want to learn about functional aspects of neurology. Essentially, the school is committed to helping children develop their brains so that they can attain a brighter tomorrow.
Programs
The Brainchild Institute tailors its interventions to help children develop based on their child’s diagnosis, personal needs, and level of learning. The professionals ensure that each intervention is appropriate for each student. Some of the programs available at Brainchild Institute include Bal-A-Vis- X, Brain Gym, CAPDOTS, Dichotic Interaural Intensity Difference, Integrated Listening Systems, Fast ForWord, Interactive Metronome, PACE – Processing and Cognitive Enhancement Training, Masgutova Neuro-sensory-motor Reflex Integration (MNRI), and Supportive Counselling.
Eligibility
Brainchild Institute admits children of all ages that have developmental disabilities. The school encourages parents to enroll their children regardless of color, race, religion, gender, and background.
Contacts
People can contact Brainchild Institute through Email: associates@brainchildinstitute.com or phone: (954) 987-8887. The institute is also visible on all social media platforms, including Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, YouTube, and Pinterest.
Schott Communities
About the Organization
Schott Communities is a non-profit private organization founded in 1986 to help meet the needs of people who were deaf, physically challenged, or intellectually challenged in South Florida. Schott Communities is located at 6591 Flamingo Road, Cooper City, Florida. The organization is named after Joseph J. Schott, who purchased the home for this special population. The non-profit organization has a board of directors, coordinators, and volunteers to facilitate programs and services. Schott Communities focuses on developing residential housing specialized for the deaf and disabled people of Florida. The organization has programs that help clients to develop functional life skills. The center also has educational and counseling services to help the deaf and disabled to attain social, recreational, and spiritual development. Schott Communities also encourages and challenges the deaf and disabled to indulge in self-acceptance and independence. The current enrollees at Schott Communities exceed 225 people within Florida, who are deaf and disabled. The organization also networks with civic and community organizations to serve the population comprising of the deaf and disabled.
Programs
The program at the agency include Adult Day Training, Art From the Heart, Crafts,
Deaf & Hard of Hearing, Faith Formation, Schott Saturdays, Sign Language Class, and “Welcome to My World”. The programs are designed to help people with special needs attain development. The programs also integrate educational and artistic experiences, personal growth and development, physical fitness activities, and socialization.
Eligibility
The primary eligibility for enrolment at Schott Communities is that an individual has to be living or a resident of Florida. Subsequently, an individual has to be deaf or disabled.
Contacts
Interested parties can visit the main office or contact them through Phone: 954-434-3306 or Fax: 954-434-3307.
Parent to Parent of Miami
About the Program
Parent to Parent of Miami is a community resource center that serves the needs of children with disabilities residing in Miami-Dare, Monroe counties, and the rest of the nation. The organization is committed to assisting parents in getting prepared to address the needs of their children diagnosed with different disabilities. Parent to Parent of Miami is located at 7990 SW 117th Avenue, Suite 200 Miami, Florida. The specialized team at Parent to Parent of Miami provides parents and professionals with access to information and workshops, among other resources, to assist in making decisions concerning early intervention, education, early childhood, employment, vocational training, and college opportunities. Parents and professionals also have access to laws protecting the rights of children and adults with disabilities. The organization provides access to information about laws, financial help, summer camps and activities, support, transportation, Miami-Dade County Public Schools. Besides, the organization offers online training to parents or professionals who cannot access physical training.
Programs
The organization has individualized educational programs and workshops that prepare parents to meet the needs of their disabled children. The counseling and training sessions also equip parents with skills to live with their disabled children and loved ones.
Eligibility
Enrolees have to be parents, relatives, or professionals serving the needs of caring for disabled children. Priority is given to enrolees based in Miami-Dare and Monroe counties.
Contacts
Interested parties can reach the organization through phone: 305-271-9797, Fax: 305-271-6628, or email: info@ptopmiami.org.
References
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2019, September 4). Disability and Health Disability Barriers. Retrieved May 14, 2020, from https://www.cdc.gov/ncbddd/disabilityandhealth/disability-barriers.html