What is CARD?

Florida is home to many individuals with autism and related disabilities. In response to the needs of these people and their families, seven regional, nonresidential resource centers have been established at the University of Florida/Gainesville, the University of Florida Health Science Center/Jacksonville, the University of South Florida, the University of Miami, the University of Central Florida, Florida Atlantic University and Florida State University. The University of Florida/Gainesville Center for Autism and Related Disabilities provides services within the geographical region which includes Alachua, Bradford, Citrus, Columbia, Dixie, Gilchrist, Hamilton, Hernando, Lafayette, Levy, Marion, Putnam, Suwannee, and Union Counties.

The Center serves both children and adults of all levels of intellectual functioning who have autism, pervasive developmental disorders, autistic-like disabilities, dual sensory impairments, or sensory impairments with other disabling conditions. Our primary focus is to provide individualized, direct assistance to these individuals and their families.

Services include:

• technical assistance and consultation
• professional training programs
• public education activities

CARD services are designed to build on the capacities of state and local resources, not to duplicate or replace them. The Center is funded by the Florida Legislature through the Florida Department of Education and all services are provided free of charge.

The Center's offices are located at the University of Florida/Gainesville in the College of Medicine. A constituency board comprised of family members representing persons with autism and related disabilities meets quarterly with the Center staff to provide guidance on policies, priorities and activities.

CARD is founded on the strong belief that:

• All people, regardless of their abilities or disabilities, have the right to live as full participants in society.
• All people have the right to be treated with dignity and understanding.
• People with disabilities are members of families. All families have strengths and capacities and have the right to be treated with sensitivity and respect, and as integral members of a person's system of support.
• People with autism and related disabilities have the right to be regarded as individuals who need services and supports that are based on their unique characteristics.