Category Archives: News and Events
Building a World Where Everyone Belongs: From IDEIA 2004 to the International Day of Persons with Disabilities 2025
Every year on December 3, the world recognizes the International Day of Persons with Disabilities (IDPD)—a global reminder that inclusion, accessibility, and equity are not aspirations but obligations. In 2025, the World Health Organization (WHO) highlights a theme that strikes at the heart of disability justice:Inclusive Health Financing for Health Equity. This theme resonates… Read More »
Our Give Miami Day 2025 Journey: A Celebration of Heart, Hustle, and Community
Give Miami Day 2025 has come to a close — and what a journey it has been. This year, the Advocacy Network on Disabilities didn’t just participate; we showed up with passion, purpose, and a united team determined to reach our goal for the families we serve. And thanks to the generosity of our… Read More »
How the IDEA Act of 1975 Transformed Education and Inclusion in the United States
On November 29, 1975, President Gerald R. Ford signed into law the Education for All Handicapped Children Act (Public Law 94-142)—the landmark legislation that laid the foundation for what we know today as the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA). For the first time in U.S. history, children with disabilities were guaranteed access to… Read More »
National Family Caregivers Month 2025: Honoring the People Who Hold Our Communities Together
Every November, the United States observes National Family Caregivers Month (NFCM)—a time to recognize the millions of people who provide daily support, love, and care to family members and friends. First promoted in 1994 and recognized nationally since 1997, this month serves as both a celebration and a call to action. In 2025, the… Read More »
Advocacy Network on Disabilities Joins Press Conference to Defend Social Security Disability Benefits
On October 23, 2025, President and CEO of the Advocacy Network on Disabilities, Ire Diaz, joined U.S. Representative Debbie Wasserman Schultz (FL-25), Social Security Disability recipients, and aging and disability advocates at the Social Security office in Plantation, Florida, to raise the alarm about proposed federal changes that would drastically limit access to Social… Read More »
Miami-Dade Celebrates Disability Employment Month with a Special Recognition for Our Organization
October is a meaningful month in Miami-Dade, as the County once again recognized Disability Employment Month and highlighted the importance of inclusive workplaces. This year’s celebration offered an especially memorable moment for our team. On October 21, 2025, Commissioner Raquel Regalado hosted a community gathering to honor organizations and partners working to expand employment… Read More »
“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 »
