This is a little off topic as far as "wheelchair sports" are concerned, but I think it's news worthy enough to include here. I have lived in Florida, in a chair, for eight years and didn't know about these agencies.
The first is the FSCIRC, the Florida Spinal Cord Injury Resource Center. Located on the Tampa General Hospital Campus, the FSCIRC'S mission statement says this,
"The Florida Spinal Cord Injury Resource Center (FSCIRC), established in January 1994, serves as the statewide clearinghouse of SCI resource information for persons who have survived an SCI, their families and friends, healthcare professionals, support groups, the media, and the general public. "
FSCIRC is actually operated by two quadriplegics, Brian Sterner and Justin Stark. In addition to there duties at the center, Brian and Justin find time to operate and play with the pro quad rugby team "Tampa Generals".
I went by and met with both of the guys a few weeks ago and they are great guys, doing great work, and they hooked me up with this next agency.
FAAST, or the "Florida Alliance for Assistive Services and Technology is located in my State Capitol of Tallahassee. Their website says,
"Our Mission is to improve the quality of life for all Floridians with disabilities through advocacy and awareness activities that increase access to and acquisition of assistive services and technology."
I contacted them about their "alternative financing" program, a program where I can borrow anywhere from $500 to $20,000 for my business ventures with this website. They have other programs, such as the "Access to Telework" program, a program where a disabled person can procure the funds and technology to start a home-based telecommunication business.
Good stuff
