The Able Trust is excited to celebrate the 30th anniversary of High School High Tech (HSHT), our premier program for introducing students with disabilities to postsecondary education and career opportunities.

Originally adopted by the President’s Committee on Employment of People with Disabilities (PCEPD) in 1986, Florida has been a model state and increased student enrollment in High School High Tech from six when The Able Trust first invested in the program to more than 1,200 students during the last school year.

As we celebrate this important milestone, we are excited to announce the goal to reach 5,000 students over the next four years.

“High School High Tech has been a life changing program for thousands of students with disabilities around Florida,” said The Able Trust President and CEO Allison Chase. “As we celebrate this important milestone, we’re excited about our vision for the future and expanding HSHT to reach more students with disabilities across Florida.”

Based on the nationally recognized framework Guideposts for Success, The Able Trust works with partners across Florida to provide a program that helps students with disabilities graduate high school and learn how to plan for their future.  

“The graduation rate for High School High Tech students is 99%, a testament to the efforts of our HSHT Coordinators,” stated The Able Trust High School High Tech State Director Coleen Agner. “In addition to providing students with important resources, High School High Tech has a positive impact on participating students, giving them a sense of belonging, increasing their overall self-esteem and building confidence.”

30th Anniversary in the Media

  • Click here to listen to the WFSU Capital Report and hear Tom Flanigan and Allison Chase discuss the importance of expanding High School High Tech to more students with disabilities across Florida.
  • Meet one of our High School High Tech alumni in this WTXL interview. In the discussion on the 30th anniversary, Kendall Brandt, WTXL reporter talks with Zachary Staubitz on the impact High School High Tech has had on preparing him for his next steps.  
  • In the Tallahassee Democrat’s Your Turn, The Able Trust President & CEO Allison Chase discusses the importance of preparing students with disabilities for the future. Click here to read more about her experience.
  • Chase also had the opportunity to announce the start of our 30th anniversary celebration in a local TV interview on WCTV. During their discussion, Chase was able to describe the impact HSHT is having at the community level. Click here to watch the interview.

High School High Tech Logo Design Evolution

High School High Tech
Over the Years

Help us Celebrate!

Join in the celebration by sharing 30th anniversary-related posts on social media. Download this document for sample posts you can customize or simply copy and paste.  Thank you for helping us celebrate this important milestone!

Parents On the Impact of HSHT

As the proud parents of a participant in the HSHT program, we cannot express enough, the positive impact that this experience has had on our daughter. The HSHT program provided her with opportunities to engage with educational and career resources that opened her eyes to options and increased her confidence, as well as her social skills. We can see how this experience has greatly aided our daughter in being prepared for the next chapter of her life.
I am very thankful for all of the experiences and opportunities that the transition program and High School High Tech have given Ahmad. I know that it has helped him with his social skills, preparing for the workforce, and teaching him self-discipline. He has become a great example, that with the right tools, and teachers that care and understand the child's needs, they can be successful in life.
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 was delighted that Richard had a group to feel affiliated with. The topics included many discussions of career and personal development, preparing for a job interview, writing a resume, time and attendance, interpersonal relationships among coworkers – all things that Richard needed to learn. Richard finally had a reason to stay ‘after school’ like the other kids! There were fundraising drives, and volunteering events. Richard learned the value of helping others less fortunate. He got to know others with various disabilities and their worth. Each year the program offered Richard job shadowing opportunities, local and out-of-town fieldtrips and guest speakers during workshops.
HSHT has been great for my son. It has shown him other careers he has not thought of such as going into manufacturing. It also has gotten him to get of his shell more. This year he graduated but with all the experiences he learned from HSHT, I know that I do not need to worry as much. This has made him more prepared for the workforce and I can’t wait to see what his future holds.
My son, Vincent, benefited in so many ways from the experiences and opportunities presented during his time in HSHT. This program provided him with the support he needed to obtain his educational goals and helped him transition into technical school with ease. Through goal setting and coaching in HSHT my son was able to identify his passion and pursue the correct steps to obtain his goals. He is currently enrolled in the Aveda Institute and is pursuing his dream of becoming a salon owner.
Often, our ESE students are overlooked and not able to achieve their full potential in the public-school setting. The HSHT program is designed to bridge that gap and offer support that is so desperately needed for this group of young adults. My daughter is following in her brother’s footsteps to benefit from this essential program.
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Celebrating 30 Years of Students Crossing the Stage!

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What do students like about participating in HSHT?

High School High Tech Outcomes for FY2022-23

High School
Graduation Rate

99%

Postsecondary, Employment and Military Enrollment Rate

87%

Students Participating in Paid Employment, Internship, Volunteering, School-based Enterprise or Career Certification

984