MDA QUEST MEDIA
“It’s important to understand that the
disability services office is separate from the admissions department,” says Annie
Tulkin, MS, CEO and Founder of Accessible College, LLC.
“Information that a student may share
with the office prior to acceptance and enrollment is not shared with the
admissions department.”
on World Autism Awareness Day
Commissioner Rosado to Announce First Fully ADA
and Autism-Focused Sensory Park on World Autism Awareness Day
(Miami, FL – March 31, 2026) - In recognition of World Autism Awareness
Day, City of Miami Commissioner Ralph “Rafael” Rosado will host a press
conference to unveil a groundbreaking initiative: the development of the city’s
and county’s first fully ADA-compliant, autism-focused sensory park.
This landmark project represents a major step forward in
Miami’s ongoing commitment to accessibility, equity, and inclusion for all
residents. Designed to provide a safe, engaging, and supportive environment,
the sensory park will feature thoughtfully curated spaces that accommodate
individuals with autism and other sensory sensitivities.
The announcement will take place at Miami City Hall,
bringing together community leaders, advocates, educators, and organizations
dedicated to supporting individuals with disabilities and their families.
Participating organizations includes Autism Speaks, The
Miami Foundation, S.T.A.R.S., Spectrum Family, Easter Seals South Florida, Miami-Dade
County Public Schools, and Miami-Dade County.
Members of the media and public are encouraged to attend.
WHO: Commissioner Ralph “Rafael”
Rosado
WHAT: Announcement of Miami’s First Fully ADA and Autism-Focused Sensory
Park
WHEN: Thursday, April 2, 2026 at 10:30 AM
WHERE: Miami City Hall – Commission Chambers, 3500 Pan American Drive,
Miami, FL
CONTACT:
Jennifer Torna
Director of Communications, City of Miami, District 4
JTorna@miamigov.com
MDA QUEST MEDIA
If you’re moving away from home,
you’ll probably need to build a new team of physicians, physical therapists,
and other specialists.
An isolated college campus, or one far
from a neuromuscular care center, may not have appropriate providers nearby.
Most colleges have a disability services
office (sometimes called an accessibility, access, or ADA office) to
ensure access for students with disabilities in compliance with federal law.
Some offices go beyond compliance to
serve as advocates for their students and promote inclusive campus life.
MDA QUEST MEDIA
Connor Stager is studying economics and genetics at the University of Georgia.
He lives with distal arthrogryposis,
which impairs the senses of touch and proprioception (the sense of the body’s
movement and position) and affects his walking.
“When I met with the University of
Georgia, they told me about the networks and systems in place, including the
paratransit system,” he says.
The campus has a paratransit system
linking all the buildings, and the Athens-Clarke County public transit system
has accessible buses that allow him to travel off campus.
THROUGH UNIVERSAL
DESIGN AND INCLUSIVE MOBILITY
For more than three decades – as a
journalist, planner, marketer, educator and activist – I have worked to make
the built environment a better place.
The key has been Universal Design –
making sidewalks, transit, healthcare, education, arts, job centers and housing
accessible to all people of all ages, abilities and incomes.
It was a pleasure to share some of my
thoughts on Universal Design and Inclusive Mobility in civic space, while on
the inaugural DDA block walk this week.
I was privileged to be on the first block walk led by Ralph “Rafael” Rosado, chair of the Miami Downtown Development Authority.
An expert planner, Rosado also serves my District 4 City
of Miami Commissioner.
The walking tour included diverse chats about walkability/urban vibrancy. Honored to chime in about Universal Design and ADA issues.
Thanks to Miami City Commissioner Damian Pardo – whose district covers much of the Central Business District, Brickell and Performing arts areas in the city core -- for graciously listening to my ideas for enhanced access for people with disabilities.
I emphasized that the sidewalk should be maintained during all construction.
Miami currently allows developers to
close sidewalks for years of construction.
For a single round trip, a pedestrian
or wheelchair user must cross dangerous traffic 4 times.
DDA and other leaders understood this
must stop.
Most cities require scaffolding to
keep sidewalks safe and open during development taking place along them.
MDA QUEST MEDIA
For example, consider geography and
climate.
A college that feels comfortable
during a typical spring or summer visit could be harder to navigate in winter,
with snow or ice.
A hilly or spread-out campus will take
more energy to get around.
MDA QUEST MEDIA
Typically, schools will allow a PCA to
share a student’s room at no additional charge.
MDA QUEST MEDIA
She advises students with disabilities
to search for the right academic fit while also balancing the college’s built
environment and dedication to being inclusive.
Historic buildings are not exempt from
the ADA, but they may have alternative accessibility requirements.
The ADA requires colleges to
reduce barriers for students with disabilities and provide reasonable
accommodations to ensure they can access the classroom.
In some cases, this may mean moving
the class to a more accessible building.
MDA QUEST MEDIA
Along with the basics of finding a
good college match — location, affordability, size, academic and cultural fit —
students with disabilities must do some extra digging.
MDA QUEST MEDIA
“When I toured ECSU, the Office of
AccessAbility Services was very understanding.
The person who runs the office
actually has multiple disabilities.
The college even has a disability
cultural center,” she says.
Now, Abby is studying business
administration at ECSU.
Her advice to college-bound students
with disabilities is to make on-site visits and ask lots of questions.
MDA QUEST MEDIA
Abby lives with spinal muscular
atrophy (SMA) and uses a power wheelchair, so she contacted the schools
ahead of time to tell them about her accessibility needs.
“I told the other college that I need
accommodations and an accessible route,” she says.
“I got there, and the elevator was
broken in the building where you check in.
The tour started 20 minutes late.
The accessibility office was not
helpful and didn’t understand my requests.”
IT’S THE LAW (ADA & PROWAG) AND THE RIGHT THING TO DO
This barrier to safe pedestrian mobility for all is at one of Miami’s busiest intersections — Coral Way and SW. 22nd Ave.
Anyone who says wheelchair users can
simply detour through the gas station is being foolhardy. That is dangerous and
unacceptable.
FPL is notorious for projects that
destroy mobility and endanger pedestrians.
When it did work around giant poles on
SW. 22nd Ave. last year, sidewalk pathways were blocked for 90 days.
That can’t happen again.
This is why the City Of Miami
desperately needs a chief mobility officer.
It does not require an engineer or
certified planner or attorney.
It is best led by passionate person
focusing each day on coordinating between city, county, utilities and
businesses to guarantee, safe mobility for people with disabilities, children,
elderly.
FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE WITH A DISABILITY
The highly competitive scholarships
pay up to $5,000 for first-year awardees and $2,500 for existing recipients who
renew the scholarship.
“The scholarships are based on merit
in leadership and community involvement,” Scott says.
Now in its third year, the program
receives about 200 applications and awards scholarships to the top 10 ranked
applicants.
MDA Scholarships are not just for high
school seniors — anyone with a neuromuscular disease who is in college, a trade
school, or a vocational program is eligible.
Scott is proud that MDA is making a
positive impact by being part of the support system for scholars with
disabilities who are tomorrow’s business leaders, disability rights attorneys,
physical therapists, and more.
FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE WITH A DISABILITY
In addition to an MDA Scholarship, he
receives need-based financial aid through his school, and the university has
helped him find paid summer internships.
Maxey built his financial support by
being organized.
Before applying, he created an account
on fastweb.com, an online scholarship database, to keep track of the
scholarships he was applying for and when they were due.
“You need to stay on top of
scholarship applications — most require essays and letters of recommendation.
Some ask you to create a 30-second
video.
Pay attention to deadlines and the
time you need to meet them,” he says.
FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE WITH A DISABILITY
The MDA Scholarship is her only
disability-based financial aid.
She also receives a merit-based
scholarship through her school and a tuition contribution for her service as
student body president.
Even when applying for funding
unrelated to disability, Grace advises not to shy away from framing your
eligibility, skills, and goals through a disability lens.
“My general college essays were about
my disability.
When I applied to law school, I
mentioned why I want to be a disability rights attorney.
Communicate yourself as a real person
who also has a disability,” she says.
FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE WITH A DISABILITY
She also contacted ECSU’s Office of
AccessAbility Services, which linked her to a disability-focused scholarship
that helps cover part of her housing and food costs.
“Always do your research on websites
and via direct email to accessibility offices,” she advises, noting that each
person knows their own needs best.
FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE WITH A DISABILITY
She is an MDA Scholar and wrote a
Quest Blog post about transitioning to college and living independently.
Her small-town high school was not
helpful in her college search, so Abby took on the research herself.
FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE WITH A DISABILITY
State-run agencies provide VR funds to
help people with disabilities find and keep jobs.
They may cover education-related
expenses that help position a person to join the workforce.
“We all know it’s more expensive to
live as a person with a disability,” says Annie Tulkin, MS, CEO and Founder of
Accessible College, LLC.
“The more funds you keep in your own
pocket, the more you can live independently in school and after graduation.”
IT IS NOT ENOUGH TO MARK AN INCREDIBLY DANGEROUS HOLE IN A MAJOR CROSSWALK WITH A CONE
When something is capable of tripping
a pedestrian or tossing a wheelchair user to the ground, we fix it immediately.
Double utility volts in the curb ramp
and uneven pavement also are epic fails of pedestrian mobility.
A bad built environment is why people
with disabilities are the most under- and unemployed of all marginalized
groups.
Acknowledging a safety threatening
hole in the crosswalk and buckled pavement, but neglecting to fix it…
This is like waiting to see a renowned cancer doctor. And she says yes, you have cancer, but I’m not going to treat it.
Pedestrians are not second class citizens.
FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE WITH A DISABILITY
For
ongoing financial support, stay in contact with your college or university’s
financial aid office and disability or accessibility office.
For
support with expenses related to personal care attendants, accessible housing,
and transportation, pursue Supplemental Social Security Income (SSI) and
Vocational Rehabilitation (VR) funds.
FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE WITH A DISABILITY
Work
with your high school counselor.
Most
high schools have access to college planning platforms that can help find
financial aid.
Use
the Swift Student Form to create a Disability Expenses Request Letter and
submit it to your college or university’s financial aid office.
Federal
law allows financial aid officers to consider disability-related expenses when
determining the amount of financial aid a student can receive.
FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE WITH A DISABILITY
Before
applying for college funding, understand each funding source’s requirements and
how much time you will need to meet them.
Many
scholarships require personal essays and letters of recommendation, which take
time to write.
Look for scholarships offered by organizations that support people with your diagnosis.
(For example, MDA’s scholarship for students with neuromuscular
diseases.)
FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE WITH A DISABILITY
Find links to webinars and other
information at Accessible College and the Muscular Dystrophy Association
(MDA): Working Together to Support Students.
FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE WITH A DISABILITY
According to MDA’s College Planning
Timeline, 10th grade is a good time to start making a college budget plan.
While researching schools, reach out
to their disability or accessibility officers to ask about scholarships
and financial aid options for students with disabilities.
College scholarship applications are
generally due in the fall or spring of a student’s 12th-grade year.
The deadline for the Free Application
for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA), a program everyone should apply for, is
usually June 30 in the year you are applying for.
State deadlines may vary.
FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE WITH A DISABILITY
But with college tuition costs
continuing to spiral, according to U.S. News & World Report, you might be
wondering how you’ll afford it.
The key may be combining scholarships,
grants, and other financial aid programs and benefits.
Here, current college students and an
expert provide tips for finding funding to help you start and finish college.
YOU WERE VERY KIND TO A YOUNG JOURNALIST FOUR DECADES AGO
I certainly hold the opposite
political views of the late Lou Holtz.
But we shared a love of Kent State,
where we both got our career starts.
He was very kind, patient and
accommodating with me when I interviewed him in early 1985.
“I'm not the brightest guy, I have a
lisp and a body that looks like it has suffered from beriberi and scurvy, but
I've learned to build up my self esteem,”
Was Lou Holtz’s best quote in my Daily
Kent Stater interview published 2-5-85.
MUNICIPALITIES MUST GET CREATIVE TO FUND RESILIENCY IN A TIME OF BOTH GREATER NEED AND REDUCED FEDERAL FUNDING
The ground-mounted system will be
built and operated by Madison Energy through a power purchase agreement with
Fairfax County.
John Morrill, Fairfax County’s
director of the office of environmental and energy coordination, said the
county’s Department of Housing office building was made more efficient and
sustainable with rooftop solar panels.
The building retrofit adds a new life
to the structure and the energy savings — about $75,000 per year — will pay off
the total cost of its capital improvements in 15 to 20 years.
“Beyond cost savings, there are
environmental benefits. Reducing emissions at the power plant helps air quality
for everyone,” Morrill said.
The county replaced a gas boiler with
a heat pump plus solar at a large recreation center.
In addition to being more efficient,
the upgrade reduces greenhouse gas emissions.
The county is in its fifth and final
years of converting its streetlights to LED.
While the bulb investment is about $8
million total, Morrill said the more efficient bulbs allow the county to avoid
about $3 million per year in energy costs to operate the more than 50,000
streetlights.
As the price of energy continues to
soar, the cost avoidance could be even greater.
MUNICIPALITIES MUST GET CREATIVE TO FUND RESILIENCY IN A TIME OF BOTH GREATER NEED AND REDUCED FEDERAL FUNDING
Morrill said the goal in Fairfax
County, Va., is to make energy efficiency self-funding.
In June, the county broke ground for
the construction of a five-megawatt solar array on a closed landfill.
When operating in spring 2026, the
solar is expected to provide about five percent of the power needed to operate
more than 500 county buildings and over 50,000 streetlights in Fairfax.
The growing county of about 1.2
million has set ambitious goals of getting 25 percent of its electricity from
renewable sources by 2030 and 50 percent by 2040.
Making sure new facilities are built
energy efficient and spending capital dollars to improve efficiency is a way of
saving power expenses, Morrill said.
MUNICIPALITIES MUST GET CREATIVE TO FUND RESILIENCY IN A TIME OF BOTH GREATER NEED AND REDUCED FEDERAL FUNDING
In the center of the $42-million park,
a one-acre lake was created to retain stormwater.
A future phase will connect the
surrounding neighborhood’s drainage system to the park, providing extra
capacity during heavy rains.
Maurice Gibb Park was completely
rebuilt with a living shoreline of mangroves, raised seawall, native trees and
increasing drainage capacity.
Brittany Bay Park on the Intracoastal
Waterway uses a living shoreline to protect the community from storms and
sunny-day flooding.
In July, Miami Beach adopted a Sea
Level Rise Adaptation Plan.
It was funded by a $454,000 Resilient
Florida Grant and another $100,000 in matching city funds that were dedicated
to compound flood modeling.
MUNICIPALITIES MUST GET CREATIVE TO FUND RESILIENCY IN A TIME OF BOTH GREATER NEED AND REDUCED FEDERAL FUNDING
Though its land mass is less than
eight square miles, the densely populated luxury living and resort town has a
total taxable value of more than $56 billion.
All that valuable residential and
commercial real estate sits only four feet above sea level.
With Biscayne Bay on its west side and
the Atlantic Ocean on its east, the city is vulnerable to both sunny-day tidal
flooding and paralyzing flooding simply when it gets heavy rains.
Miami Beach is planning to invest
upwards of roughly $1 billion on resiliency.
A 2018 general obligation bond brought
in more than $439 million — with most of it earmarked for resiliency.
Using utility fees and other
resources, the city is adding water pumps, improving its stormwater network and
rebuilding parks that can control flooding.
MUNICIPALITIES MUST GET CREATIVE TO FUND RESILIENCY IN A TIME OF BOTH GREATER NEED AND REDUCED FEDERAL FUNDING
Since the devastation of Hurricane
Andrew in 1992, Florida has had the top disaster response capacity of any
state.
Perez noted that FEMA is widely
acknowledged as one of the world’s leading agencies in coordinating logistics
and immediate disaster response, particularly in situations that exceed the
capacity of individual states.
While FEMA will continue to play a
critical role in disaster response, states will likely need to assume greater
responsibility for longer-term recovery efforts.
MUNICIPALITIES MUST GET CREATIVE TO FUND RESILIENCY IN A TIME OF BOTH GREATER NEED AND REDUCED FEDERAL FUNDING
While that may be a difficult
adjustment for some states less accustomed to frequent disasters, it’s grounded
in the U.S. Constitution.
Perez explains that, under our system
of federalism, states hold primary responsibility for disaster response and
recovery.
“Think of Katrina in New Orleans and
Lahaina in Hawaii.
They were so severe and overwhelming,
the states had to request federal assistance, including from FEMA,” he said.
