About HS/HT
History
High School/High Tech (HS/HT) started in the early 1980's in Los Angeles, California. The program was developed out of concern that too few students, especially those with disabilities, were not being prepared for technology-based careers. Business professionals and community leaders wanted to reach out to students in the early stages of their education to expose them to the skills and knowledge necessary to enter the workforce in the areas of technology and science. Together the Atlantic Richfield Company and the Los Angeles Unified School District designed America's first technology-based transition program for youth with disabilities.
In 1986, the program was adopted by the President's Committee on Employment of People with Disabilities (PCEPD), known today as the Office of Disability Employment Policy (ODEP). Their mission was to facilitate the communication, coordination and promotion of public and private efforts that enhance the employment of people with disabilities.
In the late 1990's, HS/HT grew rapidly. The initiative's focus shifted from local to statewide leadership. The state based model, initiated in Georgia, allowed HS/HT programs to access state controlled resources needed to develop and sustain their operations. In 2001, the US Department of Labor created ODEP with a mission to provide leadership to increase employment opportunities for people with disabilities. At that time, ODEP took on HS/HT as a national initiative.
Today, HS/HT is a national network of state and locally operated programs designed to provide young people with all types of disabilities the opportunity to explore jobs or postsecondary education leading to technology-related careers. Locally, it is a community-based partnership made up of students, parents and caregivers, businesses, educators and rehabilitation professionals. HS/HT offers students the opportunity to explore professional options that lead to high wage technology-related careers based on their abilities, not disabilities.
In Florida, The Able Trust helps to fund HS/HT statewide. It is one of four youth programs of The Able Trust that works to reduce the high school dropout rate of youth with disabilities and improve their participation in employment-related activities. These programs focus on building self-esteem, developing personal leadership skills and preparing young adults with disabilities for life beyond high school.
Florida HS/HT is part of the national HS/HT initiative, supported by the US Department of Labor of Office of Disability Employment Policy (ODEP). It is funded in Florida by The Able Trust and the Florida Department of Education, Division of Vocational Rehabilitation.
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