Details on Florida DD Day 2026
- Amanda Ranochak
- 3 days ago
- 3 min read
Each year, multiple disability organizations and self-advocates in Florida participate in Developmental Disabilities Awareness Day (DD Day) at the state capitol in Tallahassee during the annual Florida legislative session, which runs from January 13 to March 13, 2026. DD Day is February 10.
Hosted by the Florida Developmental Disabilities Council (FDDC) this year, DD Day brings together advocates, providers, and families from across the state and gives them an opportunity to meet and share their stories with their legislators face to face.
Organizations, including Florida Self-Advocates Network'D (FL SAND), Arc of Florida, and the FDDC, have developed priorities that they will focus on when speaking to legislators on DD Day and throughout the session. These priorities include reducing the waitlist for APD services, improving provider rates for staff, ensuring accountability from the state’s managed care Home and Community Based Services program, and increasing the budget for paratransit services. Read on for more information related to DD Day and the 2026 Florida Legislative Session.
In addition to advocacy related activities, self-advocates can interact with a variety of vendors and exhibitors who set up shop in the second-floor rotunda in the capitol on DD Day. Past vendors include the FDDC, Family Cafe, FAAST, FDDC, FL SAND and the FL SAND Fellows, Disability Rights Florida, and We the People.
Making appointments to speak with legislators
Although many members of the house and senate will have open doors on DD Day, it's recommended that you schedule appointments. It's best to start reaching out to legislators two to three weeks out in order to get your name in the queue for appointments; however, persistence is key as many legislators will not confirm an appointment until a few days before DD Day. Legislators have committee and full chamber meetings throughout the legislative session so you'll need to work around their schedules and be open to meeting with one of their aides. Meeting with staff is common and although they might not be the person you wish to speak to, this person has power to pass on your message to the right people.
Committee meetings and full chamber sessions are open to the public so make sure you check the schedules for February 10. Schedules are posted online and daily on numerous bulletin boards throughout the capitol.
Use these links to find your state legislators and their contact information: Florida House of Representatives / Florida Senate. If you're not able to make it to Tallahassee, it's still recommended you schedule virtual appointments or meetings at their local offices. It's not the location that makes a difference but the effort you put into your advocacy work.
Preparation for Appointments with Legislators
Need a little inspiration? The Florida Developmental Disabilities Council offers an advocacy tool kit to help get you started. To advocate effectively it also helps to be in the know regarding what Florida disability agencies are focusing on in their legislative advocacy efforts. Here's a listing of those agency priorities referred to earlier.
What to know before you go to Tallahassee
Lodging: The host hotel for this year's event is the DoubleTree by Hilton at 101 South Adams Street in Tallahassee. This hotel is roughly a 5-to-10-minute walk to the capitol and accessible shuttle buses are available from the DoubleTree to the capitol. The DoubleTree may be full and short on accessible rooms but there are several hotels just a short drive away. The Homewood Suites and Hampton Inn University/Capitol are known to have nice ADA rooms.
Transportation: Tallahassee has its own airport serviced by American Airlines and Delta. Greyhound, FlixBus, and RedCoach offer bus travel out of select cities and towns in Florida. Most of these buses will stop at Florida State University, which is just a short Uber or Lyft ride away from the capitol.
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