Really, Leah

Good morning, Family caregivers, 

One of the most powerful ways to overcome caregiver isolation is by connecting with others who understand the journey. Events like the Family Café can provide opportunities to learn, share experiences, discover resources, and build meaningful connections with people who truly understand the challenges and rewards of caregiving.

I recently received updated information about the 28th Annual Family Café and wanted to share it with our caregiver community in case it may be helpful to you or someone you know.The information below is being shared as a community resource and was provided to me by the event organizers. While I experienced some technical difficulties accessing portions of the printed program PDF, you may be able to access it without issue. 

Please note that I am not affiliated with The Family Café and am not involved in planning or managing this event. I am simply passing along information that may benefit family caregivers, individuals with disabilities, and their loved ones. If you have questions about registration, accommodations, or other event details, please contact The Family Café directly using the contact information provided in their materials.

I hope this information helps connect you with valuable resources, encouragement, and community. — Leah (Me!)

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Hi Leah!

The 28th Annual Family Cafe is coming up next weekend, and we hope you’re excited to join us in Orlando! 

This is the second in a series of emails to give you a preview of what’s happening each day at the event. This message will give you details about our busiest day, Saturday, June 13th. 

Before we jump in, remember:

• You can find the a PDF version of the printed program you’ll receive at registration here.
• You can see the full agenda online here.
• You can download our smartphone app for Android or Apple to see the full agenda and plan your time at The 28th Annual Family Cafe. You can also find an app intro video here to help you understand how it works.

If you didn’t pick up your name badges and conference bag with a copy of the event program and other materials on Friday, you will be able to do so on Saturday beginning at 8:00 am when the Registration Desk opens. That’s also where Scooter and Wheelchair Rental will be available if you need help getting around. 

Speaking of getting moving, there’s a chance for a little early morning exercise at 8:00 am, with Everyone Can Zumba! in the Regency Rotunda. Our youth-friendly Club Cafe sponsored by Florida Community Care will also kick off at 8:00 am in Orlando L.

The Exhibit Hall will open at 9:00 am in the Regency Ballroom, with more than 200 booths featuring all kinds of providers, agencies, services, and products, including self-advocate owned and operated Micro-Enterprises. You’ll also find our Book Fair in the Exhibit Hall, as well as adaptive recreation activities hosted by SportsAbility. 

Saturday features four rounds hour-long informational breakout sessions, with the first one starting at 9:00 am. There are also breakout session time slots at 10:30 am, 3:00 pm, and 4:30 pm. Many are organized by Track, with topics including:

• Advocacy
• Assistive Technology
• Birth to Age Five
• Dads
• Disaster Preparedness
• Employment
• Guardianship and Alternatives
• Mental Health
• Military Families
• Recreation
• Smart Money
• Youth

If you check the app, you’ll also be able to see helpful tags to keep track of what issues each session addresses. Also keep in mind that sessions in Spanish or with bilingual presenters are printed in red in the programand tagged in the app!

There are also a host of special activity rooms available Saturday beginning at 9:00 am. That’s when you can visit the ABLE United Enrollment Hub in Blue Spring II, The Molina Healthcare Family Hub in Rainbow Spring I, and the PS/RtI Technology and Learning Connections Hands-On Tech Expo in Manatee Spring I. That’s also when our brand-new Café Connections room for adults with disabilities between ages of 30 and 50 will open in Columbia 35 and 36.

You can also visit The Florida Disability History Timeline in the Upper Springs Foyer to get a view of 250 years of disability history in Florida and beyond beginning at 9:00 am. The Disability History Media Room in Coral Spring I, where you can view short films and archival clips, with a host who gets the conversation going after each one so you can talk through what stayed with you, starts at the same time.

Up next at 9:30 am, visit Henry’s Friendly Sensory Farm sponsored by Sunshine Health in Orlando M. At 10:00 am, check out the Florida Community Care Discovery Hub in Blue Spring I, as well as some happy canine friends at The Pawesome Spot in Columbia 37. Feeling creative? The Adapted Art Experience in Orlando N also gets going at 10:00 am.

We have a special treat in store for ourSaturday Keynote at 12:30 pm in the Plaza International Ballroom. Join us for an exclusive screening of Patrice: The Movie, followed by a panel discussion with the filmmakers and cast. This compelling real-life disability love story is sure to move you, and get you thinking about how disability policy impacts the lives of real people every day.

Throughout the day, there will be plenty going on. Make sure to check out live performances by self-advocates including Radiant Voices, Katerina Rancano, Joy Street, Wings to Fly Dance Company, and the Pyramid Players. Check the program or app for times and locations! You can also get a taste of stardom with our Red Carpet Experience at 10:00 am, 2:30 pm, and 4:00 pm in the Plaza International Foyer, or check out the Gatorland Animal Show with live alligators and crocodiles in the Exhibit Hall at 11:30 am.

Finally, Saturday will conclude with the Saturday Night Dance in the Plaza International Ballroom at 7:00 pm. Join us to get down with the disability community at The Family Café “DisCo” as we celebrate together! What a great way to cap off an amazing Saturday at The 28th Annual Family Cafe!  

Wow, Saturday will be a busy day! But don’t worry, we’re not done yet! There’s even more for you to see and do on Sunday. We’ll let you know all about that soon!

Until then, here are a few things to keep in mind:

• Parking at the Hyatt Regency Orlando is free for all attendees, whether you’re booked at the Hyatt, staying somewhere else in Orlando, or just visiting for the day.
• Shuttle service between the Hyatt and overflow hotels will run throughout the day on Saturday from 8:00 am to 9:00 pm, departing from the Convention Entrance on the Lobby Level.
• Additional information and things you need to know can be found in the Info Sheet you received with your attendee letter/email.

If you attend the Family Café, I’d love to hear about your experience. Please leave a comment below or share what resources, workshops, or connections were most helpful. If you are looking for year-round support or a caregiver community: Visit the Start Here for Family Caregivers page to join.

Really,

Leah, Author of Beating the Isolation Trap