RESPECT of Florida is the central non-profit agency for the State of Florida that helps employ about 1,200 Floridians with disabilities through the production of commodities and contractual services that are sold to government entities. If you would like to learn more about us or browse our catalog, visit us at:
respectofflorida.org.
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A Message from RESPECT of Florida
In 1987, President Ronald Reagan signed a public proclamation declaring March as Developmental Disabilities Awareness Month. Over the years, legislation has changed and new challenges have arisen, but the core purpose for DD Awareness Month is unchanged.
Every year, advocates and self-advocates, aspire to educate the community and advocate for equality and changing needs. Due to improvements and accessibility of health care, all people, especially those with disabilities, are living longer lives. Individuals need more services longer, and as they age, they require different types of care.
Additionally, DD Awareness Month serves to engage people with disabilities to make them aware of the different resources that are available. Throughout each stage of life, whether it is special education, job training, or financial and retirement services, people with disabilities can actively participate in the planning of their futures.
DD Awareness Month shows us all that we are members of the same community, and by working together we can achieve so much more.
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Spotlight on Success:
RESPECT would like to recognize Kenneth "Andrew" Gurganus as one of our Outstanding Employees of 2017.
Andrew is a custodian at NW Florida Beacher International Airport which, like most airports, has a constantly changing atmosphere. Barbara Miller from Goodwill Big Bend nominated Andrew because she was impressed with his ability to manage a necessary work routine, while also being flexible enough to deal with the bustling and ever-changing environment around him. Andrew has developed the ability to gauge each situation and react accordingly. He is also well liked by his coworkers and always demonstrates an excellent work attitude. Great job Andrew!
"Stay committed to your decisions, but stay flexible with your approach." -
Tony Robins
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8 Alternative Uses for Alcohol Pads:
1. Prevent blood from setting in to fabric.
2. Reduce a patient's nausea.
3. Wipe off shared spaces at work.
4. Remove ticks.
5. Relieve itching from bug bites.
6. Remove ink stains.
7. Remove stickers.
8. Clean your phone.
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Making Financial Independence Accessible to All Floridians
By Christina Siriwardena, Florida Department of Financial Services
In honor of Developmental Disabilities Awareness Month, the Florida Department of Financial Services would like to help raise awareness for the needs of individuals with developmental disabilities. Florida is home to more than 100,000 individuals with developmental disabilities and we need to do our part in providing them with the tools they need to live fulfilling and independent lives.
Transitioning to adulthood and achieving personal independence is a goal that most Floridians look to achieve. However, learning the basics of money management is often overlooked and financial educational resources are frequently hard to find. Not to mention, accessible money management programs are even more challenging to find.
As a solution to this problem, in 2016, the Florida Department of Financial Services developed the
My Money program for individuals with developmental disabilities, their family members and caregivers. The online financial literacy program is presented in three steps. Each step has a series of interactive, self-paced videos that address the following topics:
Step 1 is entitled Money Basics and teaches users to identify bills and coins, distinguish needs versus wants, and how to be safe with their money.
Step 2 is entitled Money and Making a Plan and it reviews how banks can help you in addition to walking you through the process of making a spending plan.
Step 3 is entitled Sources of Income and Savings. This step provides information on government benefits, employment options, and ways to save and invest your money for the future.
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Governor Scott and Florida Cabinet Issue Resolution Recognizing Developmental Disabilities Awareness Month
From the Governor's Press Office
On March 7, during a meeting of the Florida Cabinet, Governor Scott and Cabinet members issued a resolution recognizing March as Developmental Disabilities Awareness Month in Florida. To view the resolution, see below or click HERE.
Governor Rick Scott said, "I'm proud to join the Florida Cabinet in recognizing March as Developmental Disabilities Awareness Month in Florida. Our state is fully committed to supporting Floridians with developmental disabilities. We'll continue to work so every Floridian has the opportunity to live their dreams in our state."
APD Director Barbara Palmer said, "I want to thank Governor Scott for his steadfast support of individuals with disabilities. APD works every day to meet the changing needs of the individuals that we serve."
R E S O L U T I O N
WHEREAS
, in 1921, the first state-funded program for individuals with developmental disabilities opened in Florida; and
WHEREAS,
many major changes have occurred in society and attitudes, in addition to the Americans with Disabilities Act which celebrates 28 years of success, plus other state and federal laws and regulations have been developed to support and maximize the independence of people with developmental disabilities to create a more inclusive society; and
WHEREAS
, Florida Governor Rick Scott and the Legislature have increased funding by more than $100 million to offer waiver services to more than 6,000 people over the past five years; and
WHEREAS
, the State of Florida has made investments to serve individuals on the APD waiting list so that Floridians with disabilities may live more independently and find great jobs; and
WHEREAS
, the State of Florida supports many thousands of citizens with developmental disabilities by providing services through the Agency for Persons with Disabilities, Department of Children and Families, Agency for Health Care Administration, Department of Elder Affairs, Department of Health, and Department of Education's Divisions of Exceptional Student Education, Blind Services, and Vocational Rehabilitation, and by partner organizations and thousands of private-sector and community providers; and
WHEREAS
, employers across the state have embraced diversity and inclusion by hiring people with disabilities, and have been recognized by the state and within their communities as leaders through example; and
WHEREAS
, encouraging awareness of disabilities is vital to the success of all sectors of Florida's economy; and
WHEREAS
, Developmental Disabilities Awareness Month is an appropriate time to recognize Florida's public policy improvements, the accomplishments of community organizations, state agencies, and most importantly, the achievements of thousands of individuals with developmental disabilities who contribute daily to our communities.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED
that the Governor and the Cabinet of the State of Florida do hereby recognize March 2018, as
Developmental Disabilities Awareness Month
in Florida, and commend the community organizations, agencies, and programs for their dedication, awareness efforts, and outstanding assistance toward improving the quality of life for Floridians with developmental disabilities.
IN TESTIMONY WHEREOF
the Governor and Cabinet of the State of Florida have hereunto subscribed their names and have caused the Official seal of the State of Florida to be hereunto affixed in the City of Tallahassee this the 7th day of March, 2018.
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Brevard Achievement Center
The history and growth of RESPECT partner Brevard Achievement Center is a story of compassion for people with disabilities. In 1967, then District Director for Vocational Rehabilitation Bill Cox was forced to drive across the state to St. Petersburg facilities to evaluate, train, and provide work experience for adults with disabilities in Brevard County since none were available on the Space Coast. Cox diligently worked to illustrate the needs of people with disabilities and on February 8, 1968, Brevard County Community Achievement Center (BCCAC) was born.
The history of BAC's dedicated team spirit to become Brevard Achievement Center (as it was renamed in 1975) has grown to become a premier agency serving people with disabilities.
Forging key corporate partnerships and working with the AbilityOne Program, the agency offers employment and training opportunities at federal contract sites across Florida, Puerto Rico, Virginia and North Carolina. Furthermore, BAC's longstanding partnership with Brevard Public Schools has allowed the Center to reach out to students with disabilities to help them plan for the future.
The mission of Brevard Achievement Center is to provide persons with disabilities
innovative services
and opportunities to achieve personal success. Brevard Achievement Center serves 5,000 plus clients annually.
Brevard Achievement Center offers many commodities through RESPECT of Florida. These commodities include GOJO soap and dispensers, First Aid kits and refills, biohazard and CPR kits, Purell hand sanitizer, laminated wall calendars, prophylactics, and gloves.
The commitment of BAC's founders, parents, dedicated staff, and numerous volunteers has played a critical role in the formation of its quality programs and services offered. This legacy of service and commitment is instilled in the organization and is seen each day in the many ways that BAC serves its clients, business partners, and families, and ultimately its mission.
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Call in Sick - Your Co-Workers Will Thank You
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HR & Compliance Manager, Dayna Lenk |
It is time to get up and go to work. The alarm is blaring, but you feel horrible and your body is being extremely uncooperative. You might have symptoms like
head
ache,
fever
,
runny
nose, or a nasty
sore throat
. You lay there wondering if you are too sick to go to work or if you should
drag yourself there.
Mentally you go through your work schedule attempting to decide if you can afford to take a sick day or if you should force your body to get up and go into the office.
To help you make your decision, we will lay out a few factors to consider. The first consideration should be whether you are putting yourself or others at risk if you go to work. If your illness is contagious, then you are definitely putting everyone at your office at risk plus you are putting your coworker's families at risk should they bring your illness home. Remember that some people with compromised immune systems, pregnant, or the young and the elderly may be particularly vulnerable to complications if they catch your illness.
If possible, it is best to stay home when you feel like you are coming down with something, rather than waiting until you know the full severity of an illness. The first onset of symptoms is when you are the most contagious to those around you. Y
our symptoms are the biggest indicator as to whether you should be staying home. The following symptoms are typically associated with a contagious illness and are probably a clue that you should stay home. These include: fever, muscle aches and pains,
extreme
fatigue
,
weakness
,
nausea
,
vomiting
,
diarrhea
,
dizziness
and confusion. Additionally, some infections are highly contagious, but are not accompanied by obvious contagious symptoms like, the common cold, gastroenteritis, staph infection, Norovirus, and pink eye. It is better to err on the side of caution, and spare your coworkers by calling in sick or working from home if that is an option in your organization.
Putting yourself or your work product at risk is another consideration. Even if your condition is not contagious, you should think about staying home if the pain medications make you too drowsy to work effectively or if your limited mobility will pose a safety risk working with machinery. Your lack of concentration could cause you to make a costly and/or damaging mistake for your company.
It is not uncommon for employees to suffer through work when they are not feeling well. Deadlines and finances often cause people to work even when they feel poorly. I
f you cannot justify calling in sick or leaving early then here are some tips to reduce or minimize the symptoms at work:
- Use over-the-counter medications. Medications can reduce your cough, runny nose or sore throat to get you through the work day.
- Drink plenty of fluids. Regardless of your symptoms, drinking plenty of water will help you stay hydrated and feel better faster.
- Wash your hands. To protect yourself and others, wash your hands frequently - especially before eating or drinking, coughing, blowing your nose or sneezing. If you cannot wash your hands, use hand sanitizer that contains at least 60% alcohol.
- Avoid or minimize contact with others and common areas. Picking up germs in the office is easy, between public bathrooms, break rooms, shared work spaces, or keyboards and phones. Try to keep to yourself and your own area, if you are feeling under the weather. Avoid handshakes and hugs. Remember it is never rude to keep your germs to yourself.
- Sneeze or cough into your arm. Sneezes and coughs carry germs, and covering your mouth with your hands will only increase the spread. Instead, lean into your arm or shoulder to shield others.
- Adjust your schedule to just the essentials. If you have more flexibility and control over your schedule, try to move non-essential meetings to another day. The more you can avoid contact with others, the better.
- Attend meetings remotely. If you must attend a meeting, try to do so by just calling in if that is an option.
- Wipe surfaces down after touching them. Wipe down your office, your phone and keyboard after you use them. Remember you really have no idea how many people come into contact with your work space, so reduce their exposure as much as possible
- Wear a mask. To reduce respiratory droplets, wear a mask when you interact with others. You may think you look weird, but everyone who does not get infected will thank you later.
Knowing when to return to work is critical. The general rule of thumb is to wait 24 hours after your symptoms have disappeared without the aid of medication.
You may be the work superstar, but your employer and coworkers will probably thank you for not showing up when you are too sick to work. Being a workplace sickness martyr will never win you the office popularity contest. Also, you will be back on your feet sooner if you take the time from work and other responsibilities to care for yourself when you get sick.
The information contained in this article is intended to provide useful information on the topic covered, but should not be construed as legal advice or a legal opinion.
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