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Monday 8am - 4pm Tuesday 8am - 4pm Wednesday 8am - 4pm Thursday 8am - 4pm Friday 8am - 4pm Saturday 9am - 4pm

The Florida Institute for Community Inclusion

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United States
Oviedo, FL
The Florida Institute for Community Inclusion

A non-profit that empowers young adults with disabilities, founded by families of children with autism.

We provide innovative programs and support for a successful transition to employment, fostering inclusivity and advocating for equal opportunities. Nonprofit/Education
Disability Advocacy
Disability Service Provider
Community Inclusion

08/28/2026

Understanding Your Own Needs

Knowing what you need is an important part of building confidence, independence, and self-advocacy.

Every participant is different. Some may need extra time to process information, a quieter environment, help understanding instructions, a break when feeling overwhelmed, or support learning a new skill. Recognizing these needs is not a weakness — it is an important step toward knowing yourself.

Understanding your own needs can help participants:

Recognize what helps them learn and succeed

Communicate when they need support

Identify their strengths and challenges

Make choices that work best for them

Advocate for themselves in school, work, and the community

Build greater confidence and independence

Self-advocacy starts with self-awareness. When participants understand themselves, they are better prepared to communicate what they need and take an active role in shaping their future.

Know yourself. Know your needs. Use your voice.

08/27/2026

A Look Back at Culinary Week of Career Camp

Culinary Week gave participants the opportunity to step into the world of food service and explore what it takes to work in a professional culinary environment.

Throughout the week, participants got hands-on experience while learning about different careers in the culinary industry. From preparing food and practicing kitchen skills to learning about teamwork, communication, safety, and professionalism, every activity was an opportunity to build confidence and workplace skills.

Career Camp is about more than exploring a career. It is about helping participants discover their strengths, try new things, and gain real-world experiences that can help prepare them for their future.

We are proud of everything our participants accomplished during Culinary Week and grateful to everyone who helped make these hands-on learning experiences possible.

A week of learning, creating, and growing — one recipe for success at a time.

08/26/2026

The Tree of Resilience

Resilience is not about never facing challenges. It is about learning how to grow, adapt, and keep moving forward when things do not go as planned.

Just like a tree, resilience has many parts:

The roots represent the support systems that keep us grounded — family, friends, mentors, and community.

The trunk represents strength, confidence, and the ability to handle challenges.

The branches represent growth, flexibility, and the willingness to adjust when circumstances change.

The leaves represent the goals, accomplishments, relationships, and experiences that continue to grow along the way.

At FL-ICI, we believe every participant has the ability to build resilience. With the right support, opportunities, and encouragement, challenges can become opportunities to learn, grow, and discover new possibilities.

Strong roots. Resilient minds. Growing futures.

08/25/2026

A big thank you to The Capital Grille for welcoming our participants for an incredible site visit!

Participants had the opportunity to learn about the restaurant industry, explore the many career opportunities available in hospitality, and see firsthand what it takes to create a successful dining experience. From culinary and food service to customer service, management, and operations, participants gained valuable insight into a variety of career paths.

We are grateful to The Capital Grille team for taking the time to share their knowledge and provide our participants with a meaningful, hands-on career exploration experience!

08/24/2026

Stimming: More Than Just a Behavior

Stimming, or self-stimulatory behavior, is a natural way many autistic individuals and people with other unique abilities regulate their emotions, communicate, focus, or respond to their environment.

Stimming can look different for everyone. It may include hand-flapping, rocking, repeating sounds or words, pacing, tapping, spinning objects, or other repetitive movements.

Rather than automatically trying to stop stimming, it is important to understand why it is happening. Is the participant excited? Overwhelmed? Anxious? Trying to concentrate? Seeking sensory input?

When stimming is safe, it can be a healthy and meaningful form of self-regulation. Supporting individuals means creating an environment where they can be themselves while learning strategies to navigate different situations.

Different does not mean wrong. Sometimes, stimming is simply a person’s way of saying, “This is how I feel.”

08/07/2026

Enrollment is NOW OPEN for SOAR Beyond 22!

SOAR Beyond 22 is a transition program designed for young adults with autism and other unique abilities who have completed their educational journey.
Participants build the skills needed for greater independence through:

• Independent living skills• Community-based instruction and outings
• Career exploration and workplace readiness
• Postsecondary education exploration
• Social communication and self-advocacy
• Personalized support in a safe and inclusive environment

Funding options are available! Participants may attend through:
• CDC+
• Private Pay

If you're looking for a program that empowers young adults to build confidence, develop life skills, and prepare for the future, SOAR Beyond 22 is here to help.

Contact The Florida Institute for Community Inclusion today to learn more, schedule a tour, or begin the enrollment process.

08/04/2026

At The Florida Institute for Community Inclusion (FL-ICI), we help participants develop self-awareness because understanding yourself is the foundation for building independence, strengthening relationships, and achieving success in school, work, and everyday life.
6 Ways to Improve Self-Awareness
Self-awareness is a key skill that helps individuals build confidence, make informed decisions, and continue growing both personally and professionally. Here are six simple ways to strengthen self-awareness:
• Ask for feedback – Listening to trusted mentors, friends, or family members can help identify strengths and areas for improvement.
• Recognize your strengths and weaknesses – Understanding what you do well and where you can grow allows you to build on your abilities while developing new skills.
• Practice self-reflection – Taking time to think about your experiences, emotions, and actions can lead to valuable personal insights.
• Monitor your self-talk – Replace negative thoughts with encouraging ones. Celebrate your successes and view mistakes as opportunities to learn.
• Practice saying "no" – Setting healthy boundaries helps you stay focused on your goals and make choices that align with your values.
• Question your decisions – Before making a decision, consider your reasons and the potential outcomes. Thoughtful choices often lead to greater confidence.
At The Florida Institute for Community Inclusion (FL-ICI), we help participants develop self-awareness because understanding yourself is the foundation for building independence, strengthening relationships, and achieving success in school, work, and everyday life.

07/31/2026

A big thank you to Orange County Utilities for welcoming our participants to the Floating Solar Array for an incredible site visit!
During the visit, participants learned how renewable energy and innovative technology are helping power our community. They explored careers in utilities, engineering, environmental science, skilled trades, and operations while gaining insight into the planning, maintenance, and technology behind one of the nation's largest floating solar installations.
Experiences like these help participants connect classroom learning to real-world careers and inspire them to explore opportunities in the growing fields of sustainability and clean energy.
Thank you to the Orange County Utilities team for sharing your expertise and providing such an engaging and educational experience for our participants!

07/30/2026

A fixed mindset is the belief that abilities and intelligence cannot change, often leading individuals to avoid challenges or give up when faced with obstacles. A growth mindset, on the other hand, is the belief that skills and abilities can be developed through effort, learning, and perseverance.

Through discussion and activities, participants practiced identifying ways to reframe negative thoughts, embrace challenges as opportunities to learn, and recognize that mistakes are a valuable part of the learning process. Developing a growth mindset helps build confidence, resilience, and the willingness to keep trying even when things are difficult—important skills for success in school, the workplace, and everyday life.

07/29/2026

A sincere thank you to the Thomas S. Kirk Juvenile Justice Center for welcoming our participants for an educational site visit!
Participants had the opportunity to learn about the many career opportunities within the justice system, explore the roles of professionals who work in the facility, and gain a better understanding of how the justice system serves the community. This experience provided valuable insight into careers in public service, law, security, and administration while highlighting the importance of teamwork, professionalism, and accountability.
Thank you to the staff at the Thomas S. Kirk Juvenile Justice Center for sharing your time, knowledge, and experiences with our participants. We appreciate your partnership in helping prepare the next generation for future careers!

Address

365 Aulin Avenue
Oviedo, FL
32765

Opening Hours

Monday	8am - 4pm
Tuesday	8am - 4pm
Wednesday	8am - 4pm
Thursday	8am - 4pm
Friday	8am - 4pm
Saturday	9am - 4pm

Website

http://www.floridaincludesme.org/

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