About Us

The Advocacy Center for Persons with Disabilities, Inc. is the official, Governor-designated protection and advocacy system for the State of Florida. The Advocacy Center has authority and responsibility under eight federal programs. We are a statewide, not-for-profit corporation. Our Board of Directors establishes goals and priorities each year.

Our Mission

To advance the quality of life, dignity, equality, self-determination, and freedom of choice of persons with disabilities through collaboration, education, advocacy, as well as legal and legislative strategies.

Our Authority

Executive Order 08-240 (PDF, 90k)

Goals & Priorities

Contacting Us

You can request our services by calling our toll free number, 1-800-342-0823. During the intake process, a member of our Frontline Intake and Referral Services Team (FIRST) will conduct an interview to evaluate the situation. This team member will gather information about concerns and provide information. The Advocacy Center may accept your request and assign it to a team to provide additional assistance.

More information about our intake process

Services

Strategic Long-Range Plan (SLRP) for 2008 - 2012

View the complete SLRP (PDF, 61k)
View the one page SLRP Summary (PDF, 31k)

Issue Teams and Organizational Chart

Our Issue Teams
Organizational Chart (PDF, 138k)

Governing Bodies

Brochures

Updated for 2009: Advocacy Center Brochure
- English (PDF, 1.62MB)
- Spanish (PDF, 1.93MB)
Ten Steps for Being an Effective Self-Advocate
- English (PDF, 523k)
- Spanish (PDF, 521k)
- Creole (PDF, 511k)

Click here for office addresses and contact information.

All offices are open 8 am to 5 pm, Eastern Time, Monday - Friday.

The Advocacy Center for Persons with Disabilities, Inc., receives funding for eight separate grants from the U. S. Department of Education, U.S. Department of Health and Humans Services, and Social Security Administration.