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CEO MESSAGE

MAY 2022

In case you missed it, the 2022 Project Venture competition took place during The Able Trust High School High Tech Conference. High School High Tech (HSHT) is a program that provides high school students with disabilities the opportunity to explore jobs and post-secondary education options. 


The Able Trust has operated High School High Tech in Florida for more than 20 years giving thousands of students the opportunity to learn about careers that may be available and accessible to them in their local community. 

I am so grateful that my child has been

able to be a part of the HSHT program over the last few years. The program has provided the opportunity for Ryan to explore the possibility of future careers. As a result, he has entered the workforce and has proven to become very independent. I am confident that Ryan will graduate next year and be more prepared for employment either

in the tech world or be

ready to attend a trade school.


High School High Tech Parent

Globally, people with disabilities make up the largest minority group, and this is the only group we can all become a member of at any time. 


In Florida, job seekers with disabilities are an underutilized talent pool, consistently employed at a lower rate than persons without disabilities. HSHT is making a difference by ensuring students with disabilities understand what their options are beyond high school, while working with local educators and employers to gain an understanding of state and local industry needs.


HSHT is a community effort and would not be successful without our partners, schools, parents and local employers. It’s important for businesses to engage and support their local High School High Tech program because it enables the students to become better informed and helps ensure the students are better prepared for the workforce.


if your business is interested in coaching or sponsoring a High School High Tech team next year, we would welcome your partnership. Please feel free to contact me at [email protected].


I look forward to speaking with you!

Allison Chase

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Congratulations to the companies selected for one of DiversityInc’s Top Companies for Diversity lists. We applaud their commitment to workplace diversity.


Click here to view the

complete list.

BELT BUDDY WINS PROJECT VENTURE COMPETITION

Project Venture is an annual competition High School High Tech students participate in where each team develops a business plan for a new product or service along with a short promotional commercial. Project Venture teams go through two rounds of judging with the final competition taking place in Orlando. 


High School High Tech and Project Venture help ensure students learn those important soft skills that are vital to success in the workforce. We are proud of the accomplishments of all our High School High Tech students and the ten teams that participated in the Project Venture competition. Congratulations to first place winner Orange County! 

Orange County was named Project Venture first place winner.


Congratulations to the team for their creation of Belt Buddy, a seat belt cover that displays important information that a person of authority may need to know in an emergency.

Congratulations to Project Venture Second Place Winner St. John's County for the development of Guide Right, an application that is downloaded to the user’s phone to contact a certified guide to drive anyone who is visually impaired and over the age of 18 to desired locations.

Congratulations to Project Venture Third Place Winner Lake County for their new product Shake it Up, a special vibration motor that can be attached to the back of vending machines. With the push of a button, the motor will shake the machine to release any item that may be stuck, i.e. snack, candy, etc. 

THANK YOU TO OUR PROJECT VENTURE SPONSORS

REGISTER TODAY TO LEARN  ABOUT

STRATEGIC CAREER PATHWAYS

Register today to attend the June webinar Vocational Rehabilitation & CareerSource Florida: Strengthening Career Pathways through Partnerships where we will host a conversation with Michelle Dennard, President & CEO of CareerSource Florida and Brent McNeal, Director of the Florida Division of Vocational Rehabilitation. 

 

How do CareerSource Florida and the Division of Vocational Rehabilitation work together to help persons with disabilities find work? Join us on June 7 for an informative webinar where we will learn about opportunities for service providers, CareerSource Florida team members, VR counselors and employers to tap into Florida's hidden talent pool.


Strengthening Career Pathways

through Partnerships

June 7, 2022 | 2:00 - 3:00 PM (EDT)

 

CLICK HERE TO REGISTER

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nTIDE April 2022 Jobs Report - Economic recovery for people with disabilities holds strong 


The post-pandemic economic recovery of people with disabilities remained strong in April and continued at historic highs, according to today’s National Trends in Disability Employment. Looking ahead, nTIDE experts will watch closely for the potential impact of anti-inflation measures on the labor market.


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Q&A: Microsoft’s director of inclusive hiring and accessibility, Neil Barnett

Neil Barnett is director of inclusive hiring and accessibility at Microsoft, where he’s head of the company’s disability hiring strategy. Barnett, who started out at Microsoft 20 years ago in customer service, was integral to the recent rollout of the Neurodiversity Career Connector (NDCC). The site was unveiled in February, connecting neurodivergent talent with employers looking to recruit workers from this underrepresented community.


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Your support ensures Floridians with disabilities have opportunities to gain meaningful employment.

 

To make your tax-deductible donation to The Able Trust,

click here.

Forward this newsletter to other colleagues, and business and community leaders who care about being more inclusive.

 

Click here to join our mailing list

We welcome the opportunity to share information about disability employment. Invite us to speak at your upcoming board meeting, conference or webinar.


Click here to fill out our Speaker Request form

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