What Disability Services Are Available in Jacksonville

Jacksonville has several programs and agencies that serve people with disabilities, but they are run by different organizations and cover different needs. The main sources are the Florida Division of Vocational Rehabilitation (for work-related support), the Agency for Persons with Disabilities (for long-term care and daily living help), the Jacksonville Area Regional Transportation Authority (for accessible transit), and Duval County Schools (for students under 22). Which one you contact depends on what you need right now — a job, housing help, medical care coordination, or transportation.

Unlike Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) or Supplemental Security Income (SSI), which are federal programs, these are state and local services. You do not have to be receiving federal benefits to use them, though many people do both. The process for each is different, and some have waiting lists. Understanding which service matches your situation saves time and prevents you from being sent back and forth between offices.

Key Takeaways

  • Florida's Division of Vocational Rehabilitation helps people with disabilities find and keep jobs, and does not require you to be on federal disability benefits first.
  • The Agency for Persons with Disabilities manages long-term care services and housing support, and has a waiting list that can take months or years depending on your priority level.
  • Jacksonville's public transit system offers reduced fares and paratransit (door-to-door) service for people with disabilities who register in advance.
  • Duval County Schools provides transition planning and work-study programs for students with disabilities ages 14 to 22, starting in middle school.
  • Each program has its own intake process and required documents; calling ahead to confirm what you need to bring saves a trip.

Florida Division of Vocational Rehabilitation (DVR)

DVR helps people with disabilities prepare for, find, and keep employment. You do not need to be on SSDI or SSI to use it. The program covers job training, education support, assistive technology, and job coaching. If you are working but your disability makes it hard to stay employed, DVR can also help you keep that job through workplace modifications or ongoing support.

To start, contact the Jacksonville DVR office at 904-359-6600 or visit the main office at 1709 San Marco Avenue. You will need to bring proof of your disability (medical records, a doctor's letter, or a current SSDI/SSI award letter all work) and proof of residency in Florida. The intake appointment is free and takes about an hour. After that, a DVR counselor will work with you to create a plan based on your work goals.

DVR does not pay you to be in the program, but it can pay for training, schooling, or tools you need to work. If you are approved, you become a "participant" and work with your counselor on a written plan called an Individualized Plan for Employment (IPE). The whole process from first contact to job placement typically takes 6 to 18 months, depending on how much training you need.

Agency for Persons with Disabilities (APD)

APD manages long-term care and daily living support for people with disabilities in Florida. This includes group homes, supported living arrangements, day programs, and in-home care. Unlike DVR, which focuses on work, APD is for people who need ongoing help with personal care, meals, transportation, or supervision.

APD has a waiting list. If you are not currently in crisis, you will be placed on the list and contacted when funding becomes available. Priority goes to people living in nursing homes or hospitals (who are waiting to move to community settings), people in crisis situations, and people aging out of the school system. Contact the Jacksonville APD office at 904-359-6628 to request an intake assessment. You will need medical documentation of your disability and proof of residency.

The assessment takes several weeks. After that, you will be told your priority level and given an estimate of how long the wait might be. Wait times vary widely — from a few months to several years — depending on your priority and available funding. Once you reach the top of the list and funding is available, APD will help you choose a service provider and set up your care plan.

Jacksonville Public Transportation and Paratransit

The Jacksonville Area Regional Transportation Authority (JARTA) runs the local bus system and offers reduced fares for people with disabilities. If you cannot use regular buses, you can also register for paratransit — a door-to-door service that picks you up and drops you off at your destination.

To get a reduced-fare ID card, visit the JARTA office at 100 S. Myrtle Avenue with proof of disability (an SSDI award letter, SSI letter, or a doctor's statement all work) and a photo ID. The card is free and lasts three years. With it, you pay half the regular bus fare. If you need paratransit, you must register separately by calling 904-630-3181. Registration takes about two weeks, and you will need to answer questions about your mobility to confirm you cannot use fixed-route buses.

Paratransit costs the same as a regular bus fare but requires you to book trips at least one day in advance. You can make reservations by phone or online through the JARTA website. Trips are usually within 45 minutes of when you request them, though during rush hours the wait can be longer.

Transition Services for Students with Disabilities

Duval County Schools provides transition planning for students with disabilities starting at age 14. Transition means preparing for life after high school — work, college, independent living, or community participation. Your child's IEP (Individualized Education Program) team will begin adding transition goals to the plan, and the school will coordinate with DVR and other agencies to support those goals.

The school can arrange work-study placements, vocational training, and job coaching while your child is still in school. Many students start working part-time in high school with school support. At age 16, the school must invite DVR to the IEP meeting so DVR can begin planning for post-school employment support if your child wants it.

If your child is approaching graduation or aging out of school, contact the Duval County Schools Special Education office at 904-390-2000 to confirm what transition services are available and what happens after graduation. Some students continue in a school-based program until age 22; others move directly to adult services through APD or DVR.

Other Local Resources and Referral Services

211 is a free phone and online referral service that connects you to local health and human services. Call 2-1-1 or visit 211.org and enter your zip code. You can ask about disability services, housing, food, medical care, and other support. The staff will give you phone numbers, addresses, and information about what each program offers. This is useful if you are not sure which agency to contact or if you need help beyond what DVR and APD offer.

The Jacksonville Disability Rights Center also provides information and advocacy for people with disabilities. You can reach them at 904-391-0000. They can answer questions about your rights, help you understand what services you are may have access to to, and information if you have a complaint about a service provider.

How to Start: Step-by-Step

If you are looking for work support, start with DVR. Call 904-359-6600 and ask for an intake appointment. Bring proof of disability and proof of Florida residency. The appointment is free.

If you need daily living support or long-term care, contact APD at 904-359-6628. Ask to be placed on the waiting list and request an intake assessment. Bring the same documents. Understand that you may wait several months or longer before services begin.

If you need help with transportation, visit the JARTA office at 100 S. Myrtle Avenue with proof of disability and a photo ID to get a reduced-fare card. If you need door-to-door service, call 904-630-3181 to register for paratransit.

If you are a student or parent of a student with a disability, contact your school's Special Education office to learn about transition planning and work-study options.

If you are unsure where to start, call 211 or the Jacksonville Disability Rights Center at 904-391-0000. They can help you figure out which service fits your situation.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I have to be on SSDI or SSI to use DVR or APD?

No. Both programs serve people with disabilities regardless of whether they receive federal benefits. However, if you are on SSDI or SSI, those programs have rules about how much you can earn or save, so tell your DVR counselor or benefits planner about your federal benefits before you start working.

How long is the wait for APD services?

It depends on your priority level and current funding. People in crisis or living in institutions move faster — sometimes weeks to a few months. People on the standard waiting list may wait 6 months to several years. Call APD at 904-359-6628 to ask about current wait times for your priority level.

Can I use paratransit if I can walk but have trouble with stairs or long distances?

Possibly. JARTA paratransit is for people who cannot use fixed-route buses due to disability. During the registration call, explain your specific limitations. JARTA staff will determine whether you may have access to. If you do not may have access to for paratransit, the reduced-fare card still saves you money on regular buses.

What happens to my DVR services if I get a job?

DVR support does not stop automatically when you start working. Your counselor can continue to help you keep the job through job coaching, workplace modifications, or ongoing support. This is called "extended services." Tell your counselor about your job so they can plan accordingly.

Where do I start if I am aging out of school?

Contact your school's Special Education office to confirm your transition plan and what services are lined up for after graduation. At the same time, contact DVR (904-359-6600) if you want work support and APD (904-359-6628) if you need daily living help. Starting these conversations while still in school makes the transition smoother.