Jennifer McCans remembers the discussion where she learned about her daughter Kiersten’s visual disability like it was yesterday. “We were told by a doctor when Kiersten was three months old that she had ocular albinism,” she said. “He told us everything that she would not do. I just sat and cried.” But the new mother […]
The Able Trust is proud to announce that 34 high school students with disabilities from all across Florida have been awarded the Road to Independence and Success in Education (RISE) Scholarship, recognizing their achievements and supporting their next steps in education and career development. The recipients of the RISE Scholarships were chosen from a pool […]
When a group of students from the High School High Tech program for students with disabilities at Pepin Academies’ New Port Richey campus visited Pasco-Hernando State College (PHSC) recently, first-year PHSC student Jethiel Morales stepped forward confidently to share his experience at the college and answer their questions. Jethiel, an alumnus of Hillsborough County High […]
From a young age, Leila Burgess was often quiet and afraid to engage with others despite growing up in a dynamic family. Her mother, Michelle, was concerned when she noticed the toddler watching her lips move when she spoke rather than reacting to the sound of her voice. “She was about three or four years […]
Tallahassee, Fla. – Thanks to a generous contribution from AT&T, The Able Trust has selected 27 students with disabilities participating in the High School High Tech (HSHT) program to receive scholarships covering tuition or credit-hour costs for one year of Florida state or technical college. The Able Trust Road to Independence and Success in Education […]
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. For more than 30 years, The Able Trust has worked with students with disabilities across Florida to […]
When Jackson R. was a toddler, his mother, Karen, could never have imagined he would one day be an honor roll student and member of the golf team at Hilliard High School. At that time, she simply wanted to know why her young son could not talk. “At two and a half, Jackson was not […]
Wildwood, Fla. – The Able Trust recognized two individuals and six area programs for their outstanding work with the Florida High School High Tech (HSHT) program for students with disabilities at the annual High School High Tech Conference in December. The awardees represent agencies serving Brevard, Broward, Gulf, Hardee, Miami-Dade, Orange, Osceola, Polk, Putnam and […]
When Erica Carter first met Tyler K. during a meeting to discuss his Individualized Education Program plan, she found the then-ninth grader to be quiet and reluctant to participate. “During that transition meeting, his parents spoke more than he spoke,” said Carter, a student coordinator and math teacher for grades nine through twelve at Morningstar […]
The goal of starting a business in the food industry was not always clear to Gulf County High School High Tech student Zoey Ham. Nor, in fact, was any sort of independent future. Ham was held back two years in elementary school due to struggling with an intellectual disability, and had difficulty communicating with others. […]
