U of Florida to track disability info with CDC grant

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UF to track disability info with CDC grant

ville Business Journal - 11:12 AM EDT Tuesday, August 14, 2007

http://www.bizjournals.com/jacksonville/stories/2007/08/13/daily10.ht

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The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention have given

researchers at the University of Florida a $1.6 million grant to

establish the Office on Disability and Health at UF, the state's

first centralized program to coordinate its disability programs and

services.

More than 22 percent of Florida's population reported having a

disability, which is above the national average of 19 percent,

according to the 2000 US Census.

" Florida has strong disability-related programs, but disability

issues are often compartmentalized into groups focused on advocacy,

service, health care, Medicaid, education or chronic disease

prevention, " said Elena Andresen, director of the Office on

Disability and Health. " To be effective, all groups need to come to

the table with their own expertise. "

The Office on Disability and Health at UF will design, implement,

monitor and evaluate state and community programs and services for

people with disabilities, and will also provide technical assistance

and tools for data collection.