Keynote 3: Building Communities that Honor Neurodivergence

In April 2026, Miami-Dade County Commissioner Raquel Regalado launched the Florida Neuroinclusion Toolkit, the first resource of its kind to give local governments a practical, tested playbook for building neuroinclusive communities. As the mother of two neurodivergent young adults, Regalado has experienced firsthand the challenges families face and has led Miami-Dade’s nationally recognized efforts to remove barriers for people with disabilities.

Built on years of real-world implementation in Miami-Dade County, the toolkit provides strategies for public safety, transportation, sensory-friendly spaces, government services, and workforce development. Under Regalado’s leadership, Miami-Dade has trained more than 4,200 first responders, made all 50 public library branches neuroinclusive, and launched the Autism Occupant Decal and MIAair programs, all with broad bipartisan support and minimal fiscal impact.

This presentation challenges communities, professionals, families, and advocates to turn inclusion into action by using the toolkit as a blueprint for meaningful, practical change across Florida.

Learning Outcomes:

Understand steps that can be taken to create communities that honor the unique neurology of all individuals using the toolkit.

Define the community interfaces that must be enlisted to create meaningful change that increases belonging for all neurodiverse residents.

Identify action steps to move their own community forward in advancing this movement.

Speakers