Empower

Helping students with disabilities explore and prepare for postsecondary success

_________ _ __July 2026

Welcome to the July 2026 edition of The Able Trust's Empower newsletter. Read on to learn more about our scholarship awardees, meet a High School High Tech alumnus who's thriving in college, and more!

Meet the RISE Scholarship Recipients

"I want to prove to myself—and to others who face similar challenges—that having a different way of communicating does not mean your voice is less valuable."

If you follow our social media channels, you've likely had the chance to learn about some of the outstanding students who received The Able Trust's Road to Independence and Success in Education (RISE) Scholarship. Hailing from all across Florida, these 34 Class of 2026 graduates of the High School High Tech (HSHT) program have a wide range of career aspirations--from law practice to firefighting to teaching and more.

We are thrilled to play a role in helping these scholars kickstart the next step in their educational journeys. Visit our website to hear perspectives from each of our RISE Scholarship recipients, and keep an eye on our social platforms for profiles of each alum's educational and career goals.

Meet the RISE Scholars

RISE Awardees in the News

Several local newspapers joined us in celebrating their areas' recipients of The Able Trust RISE Scholarship. It is always rewarding to see students in our youth programs recognized in the media for their achievements.

Click any of the links below for more information:

Citrus County Chronicle - Williston Middle High graduate receives RISE scholarship through High School High Tech

The Arcadian - RISE Scholarship helps students

Palm Coast Observer - CLASS NOTES: Flagler Palm Coast presents academic awards

Lake Okeechobee News - High School High Tech Student from Okeechobee receives the RISE Scholarship

HSHT Student and Alumni Stories: Meet Jethiel

"I want to be an artist and tell stories using my own characters ... High School High Tech has given me major confidence in taking the initiative and pursuing my goals."

When a group of students from the HSHT program at Pepin Academies visited Pasco-Hernando State College (PHSC), first-year PHSC student Jethiel M. stepped forward confidently to share his experience at the college and answer their questions.

To his mother, Berlitz, this was another example of just how far her son has come since his early childhood: "Jethiel was completely nonverbal until he was six years old," she said.

Jethiel’s speech and communication skills began to improve after the family moved to Florida. But his most significant growth came when he joined Hillsborough County HSHT. Read all about Jethiel's journey in our newsroom.

Learn More

Career and Postsecondary Exploration Highlights

Students in the Volusia County High School High Tech program have enjoyed a variety of interesting and exciting hands-on career experiences lately, from a high-flying visit to the Daytona Beach International Airport to a tour of operations at the Hard Rock Hotel-Daytona Beach and more. At each business, industry experts highlighted a day in the life on the job site and discussed the different career opportunities in their fields.

On a recent tour, Broward County HSHT students learned about Broward College's Seahawk NEST (Navigating Education for Student Transition) Academy program which helps prepare students with intellectual disabilities for employment. The three-year program includes individualized career plans with academic, employment and occupational goals tailored to each student, along with a variety of other resources and activities.

High School High Tech Student Highlights

Your Feedback Makes a Difference

The Able Trust is gathering feedback for Florida's Comprehensive Statewide Needs Assessment, a study which helps the Florida Division of Vocational Rehabilitation (VR) identify the employment-related needs, challenges, and barriers experienced by individuals with disabilities across Florida.

As a component of the needs assessment, we are conducting surveys of several stakeholder groups, including people with disabilities and caregivers of individuals with disabilities who are not currently receiving VR services. If you or someone you know fits this description, we'd appreciate your participation and encourage you to share this survey. Your feedback is anonymous and will help inform VR's efforts to continually improve programs and services for people with disabilities throughout Florida.

Please scan the QR code or click the button below to access the survey.

Take the Survey

Celebrate High School High Tech Graduates with Us!

We are proud of this year's High School High Tech graduating class. Each and every student who takes part in HSHT has a story as unique as their interests and goals. Visit our online newsroom to learn more about how HSHT helped shape the journeys of some of our recent students and graduates.

HSHT Student and Alumni Profiles

A Brighter Future for Students with Disabilities

Interested in Strengthening

High School High Tech?

- Would you host a tour of your business or industry for your local High School High Tech students?

- Interested in speaking to HSHT students about college or training programs?

Let us connect you to your local HSHT program coordinator so you can make a difference in the lives of students with disabilities.

Learn More

Invest in Florida's Future Workforce

Investing in preparing students with disabilities for postsecondary success helps nurture a stronger talent pipeline for Florida at large.

As our state’s workforce continues to evolve, it is imperative that we focus on opportunities to provide students with disabilities with the tools to adapt, grow, and advance in their chosen fields. Click below to learn about why people support our youth programs.

Visit our Website

Share this newsletter with a friend!

Do you know someone who may be interested in staying up to date on The Able Trust's activities, High School High Tech student success stories, current research and more? Forward this email and encourage them to subscribe to the Empower newsletter and click the icons below to follow us on their preferred social media networks.

The Able Trust, also known as the Florida Endowment Foundation for Vocational Rehabilitation, is a 501(c)(3) public charity established by the Florida Legislature in 1990 as a direct support organization for the

Florida Division of Vocational Rehabilitation. Its mission is to advance employment for Floridians with disabilities through engagement, investment, and collaboration.