Viewpoints – Special to the Sun Sentinel: Mavara Agrawal.

In the latest Florida Internet and Television interview, The Able Trust President Allison Chase discusses efforts to bring together all stakeholders to help employ Floridians with disabilities.

The Able Trust and FloridaMakes, Inc. have formalized a strategic partnership to cross-promote and leverage each organization’s programs and services. This partnership is designed to raise awareness of workers with disabilities among Florida manufacturers while promoting FloridaMakes, Inc. among The Able Trust’s network of organizations committed to making Florida inclusive.

Securing and retaining strong talent that delivers results is the not-so-secret key to business success. What is surprising, particularly as many Florida businesses struggle to fill job openings, is that employers often overlook one of the largest pools to secure reliable talent — persons with disabilities.

We are excited to launch THE ABLE TRUST COUNTDOWN CAMPAIGN for Disability Employment Awareness Month (DEAM) in October.

Jacksonville Business Journal Editor in Chief, Timothy Gibbons moderated a discussion with Allison Chase, Interim President for The Able Trust and Scott Keith, Regional President for North Florida at Truist Financial Corporation around mental health in the workplace.

We are excited to announce that Donna Wright has joined The Able Trust as our new Director, Development & Marketing. Donna comes to us with a wealth of experience, beginning her career as a special education teacher and with a variety of business leadership roles including as COO at the Florida Chamber Foundation.

Governor Ron DeSantis announced the appointment of Lori Fahey, Allison Flanagan, Edmund Finder, James “Chip” Byers, Alexis Dempsey, Douglas Hilliard, Todd Jennings, Dr. Mavara MirzaAgrawal, and Laurie Sallarulo to the Florida Endowment Foundation for Vocational Rehabilitation Board of Directors.

We know you have something to say about building a disability inclusive workforce. Whether
it’s as a hiring manager, CEO, person with a disability, or service provider…your perspective is
important. Your story just might inspire someone else to make a difference.

Melisa Lewis wanted a career in health care – and she wasn’t about to let her auditory processing deficit and hearing loss keep her from achieving her dream. The education, internships, and career training she received as a student in The Able Trust’s High School High Tech program in Gainesville prepared Melisa to attend and graduate Magna Cum Laude from the University of Central Florida College of Nursing.