Florida's
Voice on Developmental Disabilities, Inc. (formerly Florida's Voice
on Mental Retardation or FVMR), incorporated in Florida in March 1995,
is a statewide all volunteer, non-profit organization comprised of
family and friends of persons with developmental disabilities.
FVDD
advocates for a full continuum of educational, medical, programmatic,
recreational, residential, therapeutic, and vocational options based
upon individual needs and choices.
Membership or
Donation Form,
click here!
Resources
FVDD offers
family members and friends support services and research materials,
while also advocating on behalf of persons with mental retardation,
particularly those whose conditions are so severe that they cannot
speak for themselves.
FVDD
members recognize that the vast majority of persons with mental retardation
are mildly retarded and, therefore, are frequently employable and
educable. However, those who are severely and profoundly retarded
typically require much more intensive, and therefore, costlier services.
Recognizing
that the more extensive the services, the more cost involved, FVDD
members advocate a full array of services in the most cost effective
manner possible - community programs, family home care, group homes,
and larger centers (over 6 beds) for only the most severely mentally
retarded and developmentally disabled.
Diminishing
revenues demand innovative thinking. As a response FVDD has drafted
The
FVDD Proposal for the Use of Large Facilities which would "revitalize"
large MR/DD facilities and maximize their use by complementing their
traditional residential nature w/ a community center component as
well.