Florida ARF and the Florida Alliance for Direct Support Professionals (FADSP) Celebrate 2026 Direct Support Professional Week
Tallahassee, FL (September 13, 2026) September 13-19 is Direct Support Professional (DSP) Recognition Week. In celebration of ROC CELEBRATES DIRECT SUPPORT PROFESSIONALS (DSP) WEEK BEGINNING ...this event, Florida ARF and the Florida Alliance for Direct Support Professionals (FADSP) hereby recognize DSPs who make a meaningful difference in the lives of the people they serve. Their stories clearly communicate the loving attitude and dedication of DSPs who give so freely of themselves to serve others. DSPs are the backbone of long-term supports and services for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD) in the State of Florida. We truly value and appreciate the services and sacrifices DSPs make to ensure that others needs are met.
During the week, the Association will feature a select number of DSPs who are making a difference across Florida; we also want to acknowledge there are many deserving DSPs that should be recognized for the outstanding work they do on a daily basis to care for loved ones served by our member agencies. To all the DSPs across Florida, we offer a hearty “Thank you for all that you do!”
Florida ARF Recognizes National Nonprofit Day
Tallahassee, FL (August 31, 2026) National Nonprofit Day is recognized each year on August 17th, celebrating the incredible impact nonprofits have on communities across the country. This year on National Nonprofit Day, Florida ARF reflected on our accomplishments over that past year as a nonprofit that represents community providers serving individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities. We also recognized the accomplishments of our nonprofit members serving individuals with disabilities to achieve their goals across the state. The impact of the nonprofit community to help serve individuals with disabilities is immense. Without the network of community providers that have a common goal of supporting individuals with disabilities, Florida ARF would not be as successful in representing the provider community. We cannot thank our Florida non-profits enough for being a part of the Association!
Florida ARF Celebrates Disability Pride Month
Tallahassee, FL (July 31, 2026) As we wrap up the month of July, we are coming to the end of Disability Pride Month, which is celebrated each July and coincides with the anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). The ADA was a groundbreaking piece of civil rights legislation that has made an enduring impact on millions of Americans’ lives and has inspired disability-led advocacy around the world when it was signed into law on July 26, 1990. This landmark civil rights legislation affirms and protects the rights of people with disabilities to participate in public life. It forbids discrimination on the basis of disability in the areas of employment, government services, public accommodations, access to transportation, and communications. Under the ADA, employers are also required to make reasonable accommodations for applicants or employees with a disability.
Disability Pride Month is a time to honor the history, achievements, experiences, and struggles of the disability community. It challenges the outdated stereotypes and stigma that too often surround disabilities and reminds us that disability is not something to be ashamed of but rather a vital part of our rich human tapestry. It is also a time to show what disability pride means and what people with disabilities are proud of. We celebrate this month raising awareness of the issues that people with disabilities still face today.
Honoring Our Flag & Preparing to Celebrate America 250
Tallahassee, FL (June 12, 2026) As we move through June and into July, our nation enters a season of reflection, celebration, and historic significance. From Flag Day to Independence Day - and especially this year’s 250th anniversary of American independence - this is a meaningful time to reconnect with our shared heritage and look ahead to the future.
Observed each year on June 14, Flag Day commemorates the adoption of the American flag in 1777. While quieter than other patriotic holidays, its significance runs deep. The Stars and Stripes serve as a powerful symbol of freedom and democracy, unity across states and communities, and the enduring values that define our nation. The flag’s design tells our story - 13 stripes for the original colonies and 50 stars representing the number of states today.
This year, July 4, 2026, marks a truly historic milestone - the 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence. Known as the Semiquincentennial, this celebration goes beyond tradition. It invites all Americans to reflect on 250 years of history, honor the diverse contributions that shaped our nation, and look ahead to the next generation.
Together - especially in this 250th anniversary year - they offer a powerful reminder of who we are and what we stand for. As we celebrate America at 250, we are reminded that our nation’s story is still being written. This moment is not only about honoring the past - it’s about shaping the future with intention, unity, and purpose. Let’s take this time to reflect, celebrate, and continue building the next chapter of the American story for Floridians with disabilities - together.
