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 School in Jacksonville. “They kind of spoke for him.”
Tyler, who lives with multiple disabilities, developed the ability to speak up for himself through his time in Duval County’s chapter of the Florida High School High Tech youth program for students with disabilities. Now a senior at Morningstar, Tyler not only plays a much more active role in his education planning meetings—he also has a plan for his future.
High School High Tech, administered by The Able Trust, provides access to career exploration experiences and postsecondary education options to help students with disabilities make a smooth transition to life after receiving their high school diplomas. The program has a 99% graduation rate for participating students.
“We have lots of parent nights and Vocational Rehabilitation nights to get these families connected to resources in the area,” said Jordan Carlson, program lead for Duval County High School High Tech through The Arc Jacksonville.
In Tyler’s case, High School High Tech helped him learn about The Arc Jacksonville’s On-Campus Transition Program for students with disabilities at the University of North Florida. The transition program offers career exploration, the opportunity to audit college courses, and on-campus housing with an independent living mentor to help students adjust to their new environment.
“Hearing about it changed things,” said Tyler, who plans to attend UNF through the program after graduation. “I’ll get to learn some life skills and take some classes at the same time.”
That self-assurance to plan his next steps, and Tyler’s confidence in general, are direct products of his more than three years participating in High School High Tech. Carter, who has taught Tyler in multiple classes, has witnessed the change firsthand.
“I see Tyler speaking up a lot more,” said Carter. “He’s very capable of advocating for himself.”
Tyler is a very strong leader … He’s made big improvements on his professional skills, communication and confidence.
High School High Tech’s program requirements are based on the Guideposts for Success, a nationally recognized set of educational standards to help students with disabilities successfully transition to life after high school. One of the Guideposts focuses on teaching self-advocacy skills and providing opportunities to engage in youth leadership roles—activities that help students persist in education and build resilience as they pursue their goals.
According to Carlson, Tyler has developed into not only a strong self-advocate but also a leader among his peers, even serving as Morningstar’s senior class president.
“We had instances during our summer programming where our day wasn’t going the way we thought it would,” said Carlson. “Each time, Tyler helped me to gather the students and was a very strong leader.”
Tyler has also embraced opportunities to strengthen his communication and professionalism through volunteer work, including service at his church, assisting with a Halloween Trunk-or-Treat at a local independent living facility, and serving guests at The Arc Jacksonville’s annual Dinner with Bill and Friends fundraiser.
“He was serving a lot of important people in Jacksonville, communicating with others and helping out the other students,” said Carlson. “He’s made big improvements on his professional skills, communication and confidence.”
Tyler approaches these chances to hone his leadership and social skills confidently thanks to his experiences in High School High Tech.
“Throughout my time in High School High Tech, I’ve had opportunities to learn a lot of different skills,” he said. “I’ve learned there’s a lot of jobs out there I could do.”
The Able Trust’s High School High Tech program serves students with disabilities from Miami to Pensacola and all across Florida. Learn more at www.abletrust.org/high-school-high-tech.
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