Sarasota Resident Earns State Award For Advocacy Work

A Sarasota resident was recognized Thursday, March 7, for her tireless work advocating for those who have developmental disabilities. 

Korinne Kaliher received the prestigious forth annual Idelio Valdes Leadership and Advocacy award in Tallahassee from Gov. Rick Scott at a Florida Developmental Disabilities Council function.

Kaliher is a student at the Academy for Community Transition at Oak Park in Sarasota, as well as serving on the Developmental Disabilities Committee of the Community Alliance of Sarasota County. Her work in the community includes speaking about disability awareness to the Girl Scouts of Gulf Coast Florida and at a Home Depot store in Sarasota, according to FDDC.

“Korinne has a positive outlook and is always encouraging people with disabilities to get out in the community and become active, participating members of society,” said FDDC Chair Kathy McAllister in a statement.  “She believes in making the world a better place and sharing her message of valuing and accepting persons with disabilities, emphasizing one's ability rather than their disability. She has found her niche as a public speaker and has a wonderful message to share with everyone she meets.” 

The ceremony also served as a moment for Scott to present his proposed Florida Families First Budget, providing $36 million to people on the Agency for Persons with Disabilities waiver list.

Here is what that funding could do, according to the Governor's Office:

"The $36 million increase will allow individuals on the waiting list to enroll in the APD Home and Community-Based Services (HCBS) Medicaid waiver so they will receive services in their local communities. This new funding is part of the $1.1 billion budget being proposed for APD in the coming year."

The award is named in honor of the late Idelio Valdes, who lived in South Florida and was a member of the Florida Developmental Disabilities Council. She died in November 2009.