Empower

Helping students with disabilities explore and prepare for postsecondary success

_________ __March 2026

Welcome to the March 2026 edition of The Able Trust's Empower newsletter. Read on to learn about our brand-new scholarship offerings for graduating High School High Tech seniors, meet our new partners serving Florida's students with disabilities, and more!

The Able Trust Launches Scholarships for 2025-26 HSHT Seniors

Today’s students are our future workforce, and The Able Trust High School High Tech (HSHT) program supports students with disabilities by providing services to help prepare them for life after high school. The Able Trust has taken a new step to deepen HSHT’s impact thanks to a $45,000 contribution from the AT&T Foundation to fund scholarships for HSHT students with disabilities who plan to pursue postsecondary education after graduation.

The Able Trust Road to Independence and Success in Education (RISE) Scholarships will help cover tuition or credit hour costs for one year of technical or state college enrollment. Students who participate in HSHT and are graduating in the 2025-26 school year are eligible to apply.

For HSHT students, these scholarships are more than financial aid. They are indicators of confidence and catalysts for change. By providing targeted support through the AT&T-funded scholarships, The Able Trust is helping to create lasting positive impacts for students, their families, and their communities.

Stay tuned to The Able Trust's website and social media channels for the announcement of scholarship recipients next month.

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High School High Tech Student Profiles: Meet Tyler and Jackson

"Tyler is a very strong leader … He’s made big improvements on his professional skills, communication and confidence." - Jordan, Tyler's HSHT program lead

Tyler K., who lives with multiple disabilities, developed the ability to speak up for himself through his time in Duval County’s chapter of High School High Tech. Now a senior at Morningstar School, Tyler is a leader among his peers, even serving as class president. He plans to attend the University of North Florida through The Arc Jacksonville’s On-Campus Transition Program for students with disabilities after graduating this year. Read Tyler's story in our newsroom.

"The growth has been tremendous—from where Jackson came from to where he is now is just miraculous." - Karen, Jackson's mother

At a young age, doctors discovered Jackson R’s DNA had an extremely rare deletion in his second chromosome. He had a very difficult time in school until joining Nassau County's High School High Tech program, where he found a community of fellow students with disabilities. Today, Jackson is a senior member of the Hilliard High golf team and dual-enrolled in HVAC courses at Florida State College at Jacksonville. Check out the full story of Jackson's journey here.

Student and Alumni Success Stories

Four New HSHT Programs Reach More Students in 2025-26

Students with disabilities in Dixie, Martin, Okeechobee and Taylor counties have new opportunities to explore careers and postsecondary education options thanks to the expansion of The Able Trust’s High School High Tech program for the 2025–26 school year.

The Able Trust presented each partner organization with a ceremonial check welcoming them to HSHT. The new programs are supported by the Dixie Education Foundation (Dixie County); Martin County School District (Martin County); Education Foundation of Okeechobee (Okeechobee County); and Taylor County School District (Taylor County).

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Meet our Supporters: Becky Tolnay Shares Her Inspiration for Joining The Able Circle as Monthly Donor

Longtime Partner Tallahassee State College Hosts Transition Fair for Area Students with Disabilities

Thank you to Vistage Florida's Becky Tolnay for joining The Able Circle as a monthly donor. As she notes: "Individuals with disabilities face extra challenges finding jobs after school. Having an organization that is totally dedicated to helping them be able to work in a way that is meaningful to them and to the workforce, I think, is really powerful." We're so glad to have Becky in our corner--and in The Able Circle!

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Tallahassee State College recently welcomed High School High Tech students from Leon and Wakulla counties for the annual TSC Transition Fair showcasing resources and campus life as an Eagle. The students took a campus tour and even got to meet Talon, the mascot of Eagle athletics! Thanks to TSC and our friends at Project 10: Transition Education Network for inspiring these future grads. Check out more HSHT student highlights below.

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Celebrating 35 Years of The Able Trust

We are so excited to share that it has been 35 years since The Able Trust began operations. In that time, we have developed as the direct support organization to the Florida Division of Vocational Rehabilitation, working to support Florida’s students with disabilities as they plan for their futures after high school.

We've had the honor of celebrating with many of our friends who have graciously sent in their best wishes for the occasion. Check out the greeting below from Miranda Ray, longtime High School High Tech coordinator for Hillsborough, Pasco and Pinellas counties, and visit our 35th birthday page for more videos, student profiles, and all sorts of interesting information as we continue to celebrate!

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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.

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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.

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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.