Living with Disabilities
In Northeast Florida, 1,075 persons living with mental
retardation, cerebral palsy, spina bifida, autism or Prader-Willi
syndrome are eligible for assistance from the State of Florida and
remain on a waiting list because sufficient funds are not available.
Context: Florida law stipulates that the Agency for Persons with
Disabilities will connect families whose members live with specific
disabilities (only those named above) to services such as day care,
employment training, and group living. More families are eligible for
services than State budgets provide for. As a result, many families
with members who have developmental disabilities lack adequate support.
Source: Agency for Persons with Disabilities, Area 4
In 2007, there were approximately 13,000 4 year-olds in Duval County, and of those, approximately 1,300 have a learning disability.
Context: 10 percent of the child population has a learning disability.
Source: Florida CHARTS and "Lifetime Prevalence of Learning Disability Among US Children." Pediatrics Vol. 119, Supplement 1, Feb. 2007.
In 2007, Nemours BrightStart! screened approximately 3,800 4 year-olds for language difficulties.
Context: Nemours BrightStart! Dyslexia Initiative screens
low-performing 4 year-olds for language disorders. One of the most
common learning disabilities is a language disorder: dyslexia. Of the
children screened, approximately one-quarter receive free instruction
consisting of twice weekly sessions lasting 8 to 10 weeks.
Source: Success By 6, A Report by United Way of Northeast Florida.