Families seek approval of special-needs subdivisions

// May 13th, 2010 // Workshops and Seminars

A bill that would allow subdivisions catering to the developmentally disabled raises questions on how best to integrate those with special needs into society.

BY ROBERT SAMUELS

Herald/Times Tallahassee Bureau

TALLAHASSEE — Parents of developmentally disabled children from Pasco, Leon and Broward counties had an idea they thought would help their kids: create new subdivisions that would serve as safe havens for special needs people to live, eat, dine and play.

But an existing law prevents special-needs homes from being established within 1,000 feet of each other, so the parents began lobbying lawmakers to rescind it. The parents hope to clear the way for a cluster of communities catering to those with autism, Down syndrome, cerebral palsy and other disabilities.

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