Star Martial Arts is one of at least 18 martial arts studios in Gainesville, but it has a component that makes it particularly distinct: catering to children with intellectual disabilities.
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The Marion County Sheriff's Office is handing out scent preservation kits to assist them with finding missing persons, particularly those with special needs. MCSO is using the kits for its Extra Special Person program. The ESP program has nearly 600 people registered.
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The Backyard of Boca Fiesta held an art show featuring work by artists on the autism spectrum for World Autism Day Sunday.
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A Gainesville special-needs student, 18-year-old Brandon Laforce, is participating in the Great Bike Giveaway national campaign in an effort to receive a custom-made bike. His family is hoping to raise $5,125 for the bike.
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Sidney Lanier middle school teacher Gloria Valladares has become an advocate for special needs students, inspiring confidence in them and fighting for their success.
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Horses Helping People (HOPE), a therapy program that uses horses to help those with disabilities, will be participating in the Florida Special Olympics for the very first time. Participants and instructors at HOPE prepare for the event.
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An organization that's rescued about 3,000 lost children with cognitive disabilities is teaming up with experts at the University of Florida.
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Starting Friday, clergy who don't want to marry same-sex couples will have state backing for their beliefs, high school students will have more choice over where they play sports or study, and local governments won't be able to regulate the use of Styrofoam containers. Those are among the 159 new laws that will go into effect in Florida on July 1. The laws range from the latest record-setting state budget to a public records exemption for taped, mixed-martial arts bouts.
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Some critically ill Floridians are leaving the state for those with more established medical marijuana laws. Medical cannabis is expected to be available for eligible patients by summer, but not everyone who needs the medicine will qualify under the new laws.
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Putnam Project Lighthouse, a nonprofit group, is providing GPS tracking devices to people with autism or dementia who have a history of wandering or "eloping." The project officially launched on Tuesday with the support of the Putnam County School Board, the Sunrise Rotary of Palatka and others. Founder Leigh Merryday Porch's son, Callum, was the first to receive a bracelet.
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WUFT News News and Public Media for North Central Florida from the University of Florida in Gainesville