1. Helping High School Students with Disabilities Reach their full Potential

2. as of fall 2012, 347,712 or 13% of students enrolled in a public Florida school have a disability As reported by Florida Department of Education Of those students, only 44% will graduate high school 2010-2011 study, National Center for Learning Disabilities

3. A 2013 study found that only 50% of college graduates felt they were prepared for work The same study found that only 39% of employers felt graduates were prepared Bridge the Gap: Analyzing the Student Skill Index, Chegg

4. High School High Tech (HSHT) combats the drop out rate of high school students with disabilities… …and helps to increase employability of people with disabilities

5. Background HSHT began in Los Angeles in 1983 as a way to encourage students with disabilities to pursue what is now known as STEM careers. NASA learned about HSHT in the 90s, who then expanded the program to Florida and several other states

6. Background The Able Trust adopted the program in the late 90s and began expanding … …to 39 sites, in 38 counties, serving an average 1500 students yearly

7. …so what is HSHT?

8. A career exploration program for high school students with disabilities-with a focus on STEM careers SCIENCE TECHNOLOGY ENGINEERING MATH

9. HSHT Objectives

10. Provide students the necessary support and encouragement to graduate high school Building self-esteem Creating support network of peers and adults Increasing parental involvement Teaching self advocacy

11. Expose students to a wide variety of careers through different experiences Speakers Tours Internships Job Shadowing Prep & Planning

12. Ensure students have goals and a plan for their lives upon high school graduation School visits Career planning Connect with resources

13. How HSHT works

14. The Able Trust Host Organization Businesses& Employers School System Partner Agencies Parents

15. HSHT Students :

16. Attend meetings and workshops

17. Visit businesses

18. Just be kids and have fun

19. Meet industry professionals

20. Job Shadow

21. Have internships

22. Community Involvement HSHT Success

23. Community Partners to: Speaker at program workshops Welcome students for job shadowing & site tours Host students for internships Join business advisory council

25. Thank You ; any questions?