CAPE CORAL, Fla. (December 15, 2025) –Family Initiative will host the 2026 Autism Acceptance Awards Gala on April 25, 2026, bringing together families, community leaders, and supporters to celebrate individuals and organizations who are the unsung heroes of the autism community. The Gala will be held at the Caloosa Sound Convention Center in Fort Myers.
Nominations for the 2026 awards are now open. Honorees will be recognized across four categories:
The Believer Award: Presented to an individual or organization that uses its resources to impact individuals and families with autism positively.
The Champion Award: Presented to an individual who uses their resources or influence to advance the well-being of those with ASD or to strengthen understanding and acceptance of autism in the community.
The Partner Award: Presented to a professional or organization in the field of autism that has made an exceptional impact on individuals with autism.
The “Dylan” Award: Named for a remarkable young man whose life inspired a bold vision of what is possible for individuals on the autism spectrum. This award recognizes an individual who has gone above and beyond for the ASD community and has served as an inspiration to others.
Sponsorship opportunities are also available. Support from partners helps expand hands-on programs and services for families across Southwest Florida. Packages range from presenting sponsor to table sponsors and provide meaningful visibility while directly investing in the children, adolescents, and young adults served by Family Initiative.
“The Autism Acceptance Awards Gala allows us the opportunity to recognize the unsung heroes across Florida who go above and beyond on behalf of the autism community,” said David Brown, President and Co-Founder of Family Initiative. “Their commitment reflects the hope and possibility that guide our work at Family Initiative.”
Event details, nomination forms, and sponsorship packets are available at www.fi-florida.org.
About Family Initiative:
Founded in 2015, Family Initiative Inc. is a Florida-based 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to supporting children with autism and strengthening their families. Its team of clinicians serves children through a compassionate, personalized approach using Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) and Occupational Therapy (OT). The organization also offers autism play groups, teen meetups, parent education, and community conversations. In addition, Family Initiative provides training and support for child welfare caregivers through its Family Impact Program. For more information, visit www.fi-florida.org, follow Family Initiative on Facebook and Instagram at @FamilyInitiative, or on X (formerly Twitter) at @FI_Inc.
