The Florida Institute for Community Inclusion

The Florida Institute for Community Inclusion A non-profit that empowers young adults with disabilities, founded by families of children with autism.

We provide innovative programs and support for a successful transition to employment, fostering inclusivity and advocating for equal opportunities. Nonprofit/Education
Disability Advocacy
Disability Service Provider
Community Inclusion

Everyone belongs here. đź’™ And as we kick off our summer programs today, that's exactly the energy we're bringing into eve...
06/05/2026

Everyone belongs here. đź’™ And as we kick off our summer programs today, that's exactly the energy we're bringing into every classroom, career camp session, and virtual counseling space this season.

Inclusion isn't just a word — it's a daily practice made up of nine powerful commitments:

Invite — Welcome and value everyone who walks through the door
Nurture — Support and encourage growth for every single student
Celebrate — Honor the differences and uniqueness that make each person shine
Listen — Hear every voice with respect and an open mind
Understand — Seek out perspectives different from your own
Support — Remove barriers and create real opportunities for all
Include — Make space so everyone truly belongs
Open — Stay open to learning something new from others every day
Nurture Community — Together, we build a better world

Why this matters at Florida Includes Me: Our students — ages 14–21 with IEPs and 504 plans — bring incredible strengths, perspectives, and talents to every space they enter. Our job is to make sure every workplace, classroom, and community is ready to welcome, support, and celebrate them.

This summer, we are not just building career skills — we are building belonging. Tag someone who embodies one of these nine values and tell us which one resonates most with you. 💙

As summer programs begin, we want to take a moment to speak directly to the leaders, mentors, supervisors, and educators...
06/04/2026

As summer programs begin, we want to take a moment to speak directly to the leaders, mentors, supervisors, and educators who support our students. đź’™
Neurodivergent burnout is real, it's invisible, and it's preventable — but only if we know what to look for and how to respond.

What burnout can look like in students and young workers:

Working longer hours to maintain the same output
More mistakes in routine tasks despite high effort
Avoidance of ambiguous or last-minute requests
Increased sickness, shutdowns, or cancelled commitments
Emotional flooding or reduced frustration tolerance
The science behind it: Neurodivergent individuals often carry a higher invisible cognitive and sensory load. When that load becomes unsustainable, the nervous system shifts into threat mode — making recovery harder and performance less reliable over time.

Small leadership shifts that make a big difference:

Offer clear, written expectations upfront
Build predictable routines and reduce last-minute changes
Create protected focus time and regular recovery breaks
Foster psychological safety by asking "What helps you work at your best?"

At Florida Includes Me, we believe every student deserves a workplace and learning environment where they can truly thrive — not just survive. Share this with someone who supports neurodivergent students and drop one thing your team or classroom already does to reduce invisible load. 💙

One of the most powerful career skills you can develop this summer is knowing the difference between what you can contro...
06/03/2026

One of the most powerful career skills you can develop this summer is knowing the difference between what you can control, what you can influence, and what you simply have to let go. đź’™

As our students step into internships, work-based learning, and career camp this summer, this framework will help you stay focused, resilient, and intentional — no matter what the workplace throws at you.

In your control:

Your attitude, mindset, and boundaries
How you manage your time and communicate with others
Your willingness to learn and grow
The way you respond to feedback
Your commitment to company values and goals

In your influence:

Your teamwork and relationships with colleagues
Workplace culture and how conflicts are handled
Supporting others' growth and advocating for positive change
Your reputation and career growth over time

Out of your control:

Company-wide decisions and leadership changes
Others' thoughts, words, and actions
Industry trends and market shifts
How others react to your feedback

Why it matters: Students who understand this framework early build stronger emotional intelligence, make faster decisions, and recover from setbacks with greater resilience. They show up as reliable, self-aware team members who lift the people around them.

Challenge for the week: Write down one thing in each column that applies to your current school, job, or internship experience. Focus your energy on the left column and release the right. Share one insight in the comments. đź’™

What does it look like to be the kind of teammate everyone wants to work with? It starts with small, intentional habits ...
06/02/2026

What does it look like to be the kind of teammate everyone wants to work with? It starts with small, intentional habits practiced every single day. This week, we're exploring 10 ways to help others thrive in the workplace—skills our students are building this summer through career camp, work-based learning, and postsecondary counseling.

What you'll practice:

Offering help before being asked
Sharing knowledge and skills openly with peers
Listening without judgment and providing thoughtful feedback
Respecting others' time and recognizing their efforts
Mentoring classmates and celebrating team wins
Building reliability, positivity, and effective collaboration

The real-world impact: Students with disabilities often bring unique perspectives, deep empathy, and creative problem-solving to the workplace. Pair those strengths with these 10 habits and you have a teammate, colleague, or future leader who lifts everyone around them.

This summer, we're not just teaching career skills—we're building workplaces where everyone belongs and everyone thrives. Tag a student, parent, or mentor who embodies one of these habits and share which one resonates most with you. 💙

kickoff Summer Virtual Postsecondary Counseling: Explore Your Future. Build Your Path. Achieve Your Goals.Sessions:Colle...
06/01/2026

kickoff Summer Virtual Postsecondary Counseling: Explore Your Future. Build Your Path. Achieve Your Goals.

Sessions:
College & IPSE Programs (June 1–June 11)
Trade Schools & Apprenticeships (June 15–June 25)
Entering the Workforce (July 13–July 23)
Choosing a Pathway & Goal Setting (June 27–August 6)

What you’ll learn:
College options, admissions, and financial aid
Apprenticeships, certifications, workplace expectations and safety
Resume building, interview skills, job search strategies
Career path exploration and goal-setting

Key features:
Live virtual instruction, interactive activities, and real-world skill development
Individualized goal planning and ongoing support
Tell us which session you’re most excited about, or share a short plan for your summer. Use

Summer In-Person Career Camp starts Today! Explore 10 culture-rich sessions across sports, parks, aviation, media, and m...
06/01/2026

Summer In-Person Career Camp starts Today! Explore 10 culture-rich sessions across sports, parks, aviation, media, and more, plus hands-on work-based learning hours. Learn resume building, interview skills, time management, and professional communication in a supportive, accessible setting.

What you’ll experience:

30 hours of work-based learning (5 hours each week)
Real-world learning across 9+ career tracks
Interactive activities, group discussions, and hands-on projects
Intro to self-advocacy and career planning

Locations:
Oviedo Location: 365 Aulin Ave, Oviedo, FL 32765
Orlando Location: 1901 East Robinson St., Orlando, 32803

Registration is open now—tag a student, parent, or teacher who should know about this and share which session you’re most excited about.

This week, practice one boundary in school-to-work contexts—like internships, part-time jobs, or work-based learning:Spe...
05/29/2026

This week, practice one boundary in school-to-work contexts—like internships, part-time jobs, or work-based learning:

Speak up for yourself and protect your time
Listen to your needs and say no when something isn’t a good fit
Own your mistakes and learn from them
Ask to be treated with respect and set clear expectations

Tell us which boundary you’re setting and where you’ll apply it (class project, job shadow, or a part-time job). Share a quick example in the comments to inspire others.

This week, we’re highlighting four concrete ways students and communities can promote inclusion:Advocate for accessible ...
05/28/2026

This week, we’re highlighting four concrete ways students and communities can promote inclusion:
Advocate for accessible accommodations in community spaces
Promote accessible transport options
Emphasize inclusive language
Help create and support accessible events in parks and schools
Join the movement: tag a friend who’s enthusiastic about making our community more inclusive, and share one action you’ll take this week.

Awareness — “Here’s what I’m seeing.” 2) Understanding — “Here’s why it matters.” 3) Agreement — “Do you see what I see?...
05/27/2026

Awareness — “Here’s what I’m seeing.” 2) Understanding — “Here’s why it matters.” 3) Agreement — “Do you see what I see?” 4) Action — “Here’s what we’ll do next.”

Why it matters in school:

Builds trust and clarity in feedback
Turns observations into concrete actions
Encourages accountability and growth
Makes feedback a collaboration, not a judgment
Try this with your next teacher or peer review: name one observation, share why it matters, confirm you’re on the same page, and commit to one concrete next step.

High school is a daily chance to rewrite what we think about ourselves. This week, we’re swapping limiting beliefs for g...
05/26/2026

High school is a daily chance to rewrite what we think about ourselves. This week, we’re swapping limiting beliefs for growth-minded actions. Instead of saying “I can’t,” we’ll remind ourselves: “I can learn from this, and I will try again.” When we pause to breathe, we choose thoughts that empower us to move forward—even if we’re scared. Each small step compounds into bigger progress, helping us show up stronger in class, clubs, and life.

What this looks like:
Recognizing that effort beats perfection every time
Turning doubts into questions that drive learning
Embracing mistakes as a natural (and valuable) part of growth
Committing to one concrete action today that moves you toward a goal

Why it matters: A growth mindset builds resilience, confidence, and readiness for internships, leadership roles, and life after graduation. By choosing progress over perfection, we’re setting ourselves up for success—one mindset shift at a time.
Join the challenge: share one mindset shift you’re making this week in the comments or your story. Let’s support each other as we reset and rise.

Address

365 Aulin Avenue
Oviedo, FL
32765

Opening Hours

Monday 8am - 4pm
Tuesday 8am - 4pm
Wednesday 8am - 4pm
Thursday 8am - 4pm
Friday 8am - 4pm
Saturday 9am - 4pm

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