WUFT News News and Public Media for North Central Florida from the University of Florida in Gainesville
The Backyard of Boca Fiesta held an art show featuring work by artists on the autism spectrum for World Autism Day Sunday.
Read More »Gainesville Resturaunt Features Artists For World Autism Day
Unable To Ride, Special-Needs Teen Fundraising For Custom Bike
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.
Read More »Local Teacher Advocates For Special Needs Students
Sidney Lanier middle school teacher Gloria Valladares has become an advocate for special needs students, inspiring confidence in them and fighting for their success.
Read More »Equine-Assisted Therapy Program Prepares For First Time At Florida Special Olympics
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.
Read More »Project Leo Helps Parents Track Autistic Children
An organization that's rescued about 3,000 lost children with cognitive disabilities is teaming up with experts at the University of Florida.
Read More »Florida’s Budget, New Laws Begin July 1
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.
Read More »Florida’s Medical Refugees Can’t Wait For Cannabis
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.
Read More »Providing Tracking Devices To Children With Autism in Putnam County
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.
Read More »14 Dead, More Than A Dozen Wounded In California Shooting
As many as three gunmen believed to be wearing military-style gear opened fire Wednesday at a Southern California social services center, killing at least 14 people and wounding more than a dozen others in what authorities described as a targeted mission.
Read More »UF Student Starts Special Needs Baseball League
Alex Bello, a fourth-year student at the University of Florida, created TOPBaseball, which is a program designed to provide children with special needs the opportunity to play baseball with their peers and volunteers.
Read More »