News

DALLAS — Janet Diorio has been dreaming about a trip to California or Florida, but she has been too nervous to fly for years. Not afraid of flying, per se. She worries about the ordeal it could create for her 8-year-old daughter Caroline, who has autism. Diorio, along with her husband and Caroline’s twin brother […]

Click here to read the story.

In high school, she was bullied. After college, it was difficult to find a job. But through all the difficult times, Collette Divitto, has had one thing that makes her happy: baking. Divitto, who has Down syndrome, decided to channel her passion into a career, opening her own cookie company. Click here to read this

Adults with intellectual and developmental differences want independence but often require continuing care. Their families are joining forces to ensure they receive both. The article includes interviews with Senior Housing Director Debbie Lawrence and Advisor Jim Whittaker. Click here to read this article.

Miami-Dade County Commissioner Raquel Regaldo discusses COVID vaccine hesitancy in the Autism community with Casa Familia Board Member Dr. Michael Alessandri, Executive Director or the University of Miami Center for Autism & Related Disabilities, Matthew Love, President and CEO of Nicklaus Children’s Health System, and Dr. Marcos Mestre, Vice President and Chief Medical Officer for

Opinion – Guest Essay By Advid Axelrod July 4, 2021 My daughter, Lauren, turned 40 last month. She is happy and healthy. And that is nothing short of a miracle. From the moment my wife, Susan, found Lauren blue and limp in her crib at the age of 7 months — the consequence, we later

Brown leads Senators in Introducing Historic Legislation to Update Long-Neglected Social Security Program to Ensure Older Adults and People with Disabilities are No Longer Trapped in Poverty Lifeline for Millions has been Forgotten by Washington for Over 30 years WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, U.S. Sen. Sherrod Brown (D-OH) led Senate Democrats in re-introducing the Supplemental

As teenagers with Down syndrome, Sam Suchmann and Mattie Zufelt used Kickstarter to fund their dream of creating a zombie movie. Their latest work,”Sam & Mattie Make a Zombie Movie” takes a look at that journey. NewsHour’s Mike Melia spoke with the two budding filmmakers for our arts and culture series, “CANVAS.” Click here to

Casa Familia gave a presentation to the Public Housing and Community Services Committee of the Miami-Dade County Board of County Commissioners on Thursday, April 15th. A big thank you to Commissioner Regalado and Commissioner Souto for providing the opportunity for us to highlight the housing crisis for adults with IDD and to hear from a

Pilo’s Street Tacos founder Derek Gonzalez, pictured above with his aunt Pilo, is a man on a mission. The Miami-based restaurateur says he aims to be the largest employer of people who live with intellectural or developmental disabliities in the United States. Click here to read the entire story.