Category Archives: News and Events
“No Wrong Door”: A Visit from Chairman Rodriguez’s Office
When Marti Bueso stopped by our all-staff meeting, we talked about what really matters: answering the phone, calling back in 48 hours, and meeting families where they are. We squeezed into our “makeshift” conference room—the one that reminds us that after COVID, we learned to do more with less space and more connection. This… Read More »
Building Accessibility Into Transit: Our Visit to the New Coral Reef Drive Station
Last week, the Advocacy Network on Disabilities team toured the new Coral Reef Drive Transit stop, part of Miami-Dade County’s South Dade TransitWay Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) corridor. As Miami expands its public transportation network, we’re making sure accessibility and inclusion are built in from the start — not added later. Our visit focused on identifying… Read More »
Building Inclusion Together: A Strong Partnership in Little Havana
At our recent all-staff meeting, we had the opportunity to hear directly from Yannet Amador, Director of the Leadership Learning Center at Saint John Bosco, Inc. She shared how the Advocacy Network on Disabilities has partnered with her team over the years to create an inclusive environment where every child is welcomed and supported…. Read More »
Our TF-CBT Team Attends the 41st Annual ISTSS Meeting
Our Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (TF-CBT) team recently participated in the 41st Annual Meeting of the International Society for Traumatic Stress Studies (ISTSS). This global gathering brings together leading experts, researchers, and practitioners to share the latest science and best practices in trauma treatment. By attending, our team strengthened their knowledge and skills to… Read More »
Building Inclusive Workplaces: Our CEO Presents at the Miami Foundation
This month, our Director and CEO had the honor of presenting to the entire staff of the Miami Foundation. The presentation highlighted the Advocacy Network on Disabilities’ work, the prevalence of neurodivergence, and practical ways to foster workplaces where accessibility is the default—not the exception. The Prevalence of Neurodivergence in the Workplace Nearly 1… Read More »
Local News: More than 60 Miami-Dade nonprofits rally against proposed budget cuts
By Chelsea Jones More than 60 Miami-Dade nonprofits rallied Tuesday outside the Stephen P. Clark Center, urging county leaders to reconsider proposed budget cuts they said would devastate families and put public safety at risk. Nonprofits say cuts threaten critical services Leaders said the funding is a lifeline. Losing it, they said, would… Read More »
“We All Belong”: Advocacy Network on Disabilities CEO Talks Inclusion on Miami Autism Dad Podcast
When Ire Diaz, President and CEO of the Advocacy Network on Disabilities, sat down with Miami Autism Dad host for a recent episode, the conversation quickly became more than just an overview of services. It became a deep dive into what true inclusion looks like in Miami-Dade County—and why advocacy remains as critical today… Read More »
Commissioners Take Action on Budget Cuts, But the Fight Isn’t Over
At last Thursday’s Miami-Dade County budget hearing, commissioners voted—nearly unanimously—to instruct the Mayor to identify resources to restore funding for Community-Based Organizations (CBOs). This came after more than 200 residents, including individuals with disabilities, families, and service providers, spoke for hours urging the commission to protect critical services. While this step shows that… Read More »
The Advocacy Network on Disabilities at the Florida Behavioral Health Conference 2025
This year, our team joined hundreds of professionals at the Florida Behavioral Health Conference 2025, held under the inspiring theme “One Mission.” The conference brought together leaders, providers, advocates, and community partners from across the behavioral health field—each with unique perspectives, yet all sharing the same commitment: changing lives. For us at the Advocacy… Read More »
Protecting Essential Services for People with Disabilities in Miami-Dade
Right now, critical support for people with developmental disabilities in our community is at risk. Miami-Dade County is considering removing $127,700 in funding that sustains vital services provided by the Advocacy Network on Disabilities. This funding supports a countywide program that allows people with developmental disabilities to live at home or independently — not… Read More »
