January 2026 — As a direct result of the Florida Brain Injury State Action Plan and the collaborative work of the Florida Brain Injury Advisory Board, a new Brain Injury Wallet Card has been created and is now being distributed across Florida to support individuals living with acquired brain injury.
Developed through a partnership between Disability Rights Florida (DRF), Brain Injury Florida (BIF), and the University of Florida (UF) Brain Injury, Rehabilitation, and Neuroresilience (BRAIN) Center, the wallet-sized card is designed to help individuals communicate critical information about their brain injury during emergencies and other high-stress interactions.
Why the Wallet Card Matters
People living with acquired brain injury — whether from traumatic causes such as falls or motor vehicle crashes, or non-traumatic causes like stroke or medical illness — may experience challenges with communication, memory, processing speed, emotional regulation, or behavior. These disabilities are often invisible, and in moments of stress, survivors may struggle to explain their needs.
The Brain Injury Wallet Card provides a simple, accessible way for individuals to communicate essential information by:
- Identifying that the cardholder has a medically documented acquired brain injury
- Listing common brain injury–related symptoms that may affect communication or behavior
- Providing space for emergency contact information
- Offering guidance on strategies that may help first responders and others interact more effectively
As Advisory Board member Carrie Ditto Rayburn, CTRS, CBIS, a recreational therapist and representative of Brain Injury Florida, explains:
“It is important to support people living with brain injuries and raise awareness by providing them the tools to be understood. This brain injury wallet card is more than information — it is a way to help individuals navigate life safely and with confidence.”
In addition to improving day-to-day communication, the wallet card reinforces important legal protections for people with brain injury.
“This wallet card reinforces the legal right of people with brain injuries to effective communication and reasonable accommodations,” said Cherie Hall, Executive Director of Disability Rights Florida. “It serves as a practical tool to help ensure those rights are recognized and respected during interactions with first responders, law enforcement, and service providers.”
The card references protections under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), emphasizing the responsibility of public entities and service providers to ensure effective communication and appropriate accommodations.
A Statewide Effort Rooted in Advocacy
This initiative reflects priorities outlined in Florida’s Brain Injury State Action Plan, a roadmap developed through broad stakeholder engagement to improve systems of care, access, and awareness across the state.
The Statewide Brain Injury Advisory Board plays a central role in this work. The Board is composed of individuals with lived experience, caregivers, clinicians, and representatives from key advocacy organizations, including Disability Rights Florida and Brain Injury Florida, who bring legal, policy, clinical, and community perspectives to the table. Their collective expertise helps ensure that statewide initiatives translate into practical tools that directly benefit people living with brain injury.
As Dr. Michael Jaffee, Chair of the University of Florida Department of Neurology and Founding Director of the UF BRAIN Center, explains:
“This is exactly why the University of Florida is proud to lead Florida’s statewide brain injury efforts. By bringing together advocates, clinicians, researchers, and people with lived experience, we can move beyond isolated programs and create meaningful systems change. Tools like the Brain Injury Wallet Card demonstrate how collaboration and shared priorities can translate into real-world impact, improving awareness, safety, and communication for individuals with brain injury across our state.”
The Brain Injury Wallet Card is a tangible example of how advocacy, policy, and lived experience can come together to improve safety, confidence, and communication for Floridians with brain injury.
Getting the Card
The Brain Injury Wallet Card is currently being distributed through brain injury support groups and community partners across Florida. Individuals, families, and providers can also access the card directly.
Download the Brain Injury Wallet Card (PDF)
The card is free to download, print, and personalize for everyday use.
https://disabilityrightsflorida.org/publications/publication_info/brain_injury_wallet_card