Understanding the Challenge
Planning for the future is an important time in the lives of high school students. As they prepare to graduate, they are ending one important stage in life and beginning another. This transition into postsecondary education or the workforce presents many opportunities but it may be more challenging for students with disabilities.
The rates of high school graduation, postsecondary enrollment and postsecondary attainment of students with disabilities are lower compared to students without disabilities. The Able Trust monitors these important metrics to help us understand the challenges that impact Florida’s students with disabilities. Through data, we identify gaps, learn about best practices and share information that helps inform policies.
Check out the important facts below to learn more.
Workforce
Readiness
Today’s workforce requires stronger skills than ever before. By 2031, 72 percent of jobs in the US will require postsecondary education.
Number of Students with Disabilities Increasing
Florida’s PK-12 school population includes more than 400,000 students with disabilities, or 15 percent of the student population, and this number has been growing.
High School Graduation Rate
The high school graduation rate for Florida students with disabilities has also been improving though a gap still exists. As they begin to think about their future, it’s crucial they have access to resources that will ensure they graduate with a plan for their next chapter.
Postsecondary Enrollment
The transition into postsecondary education represents opportunities for many students, but it may be more challenging for students with disabilities. There continues to be a gap in the postsecondary enrollment rate between students with between with disabilities and students without disabilities.
Postsecondary Attainment
As the workforce becomes more complex and requires a higher level of education, Floridians with a disability consistently have a lower educational attainment level than those without a disability.
Employment
Rate
Though the labor force participation rate of people with disabilities has been increasing, there is consistently about a 40 percentage point gap in labor force participation between persons with disabilities and the general population without disabilities.
The Able Trust Youth Programs
In Florida, the gap in high school graduation and postsecondary enrollment are being closed through The Able Trust’s youth programs. Using a research-based foundation, we have been supporting students with disabilities for almost 30 years. We provide students opportunities for in school-based preparatory experiences, career preparation and work-based learning, connecting activities, and youth leadership and development activities.
High School High Tech
The Able Trust High School High Tech (HSHT) provides high school students with all types of disabilities the opportunity to explore jobs or postsecondary education leading to in-demand careers. HSHT links youth to a broad range of academic, career development and experiential resources and experiences that will enable them to meet the demands of the 21st century workforce.
Futures in Focus
The Able Trust is launching a new program — Futures in Focus — for students with disabilities, ages 12-22. We have an almost 30-year history of supporting Florida’s youth with disabilities through High School High Tech and we are excited to be able to expand career exploration opportunities to more Florida students.
High School High Tech Ambassadors
The Able Trust has launched the High School High Tech Ambassador Scholarship program for senior students interested in strengthening their workforce readiness skills and becoming more involved in their community.
