WISE delivers information, continuing education, & technical assistance in areas that affect the employment and inclusion of individuals with disabilities.
02/20/2026
✨ Introducing our ENGAGE Graduate Assistants for the Spring semester! ✨
These talented leaders play an essential role in the ENGAGE program providing one-on-one support to help students build college readiness skills and creating engaging events that enrich the UNT experience. We’re grateful for their dedication to empowering students and fostering a vibrant, supportive community.
02/19/2026
Attention: Parents of neurodivergent college students 📣
Looking for ways to better support your student’s college journey? Check out the Manager to Consultant: Parenting Your Neurodivergent Student workbook—grounded in national surveys from college autism program directors and parents like you.
We’re excited to be attending the Texas Transition Conference this year. Be sure to check us out and stop by our booth to learn more about our incredible programs!
02/17/2026
LeDre and Anna’s journeys remind us what’s possible when talent meets opportunity.
Through the Texas Beacons of Excellence, meaningful competitive integrated employment isn’t just a goal—it’s a reality. Hear from LeDre, Anna, their families, and our incredible partners, Garza & Carrillo and Bridge Center, about the power of believing in potential and opening doors.
Texas Workforce Commission | UNT College of Health and Public Service | UNT - Department of Rehabilitation & Health Services | University of North Texas
02/10/2026
We were proud to have Lucy Gafford represent UNT WISE at last week’s Frisco Rotary Club meeting to share more about our programs and the impact of inclusive education and workforce partnerships.
Rotary’s mission to provide service, promote integrity, and create lasting change through the leadership of business and community partners closely mirrors our mission at UNT WISE—expanding opportunities for people with disabilities through education, workforce preparation, and meaningful community engagement. Both of our organizations believe that when people unite around purpose, we don’t just change programs—we change lives.
Thank you to The Rotary Club of Frisco for the thoughtful conversation and for the work you do every day to build goodwill and opportunity across North Texas. UNT WISE looks forward to continued collaboration that helps more individuals discover their talents, contribute their skills, and thrive in inclusive workplaces and communities.
02/07/2026
We are redefining what workforce success looks like—for businesses and individuals alike. Our partnership with Quest Employment Services, Inc. demonstrates how disability employment unlocks talent, strengthens workplaces, and fuels economic growth.
By equipping providers with training, practical tools, and best practices in inclusive employment, the Texas Beacons of Excellence (TBE) ensures that businesses gain motivated, skilled employees who contribute meaningfully to the workforce.
The future of work is inclusive, and TBE is here to make it a reality. Let’s build a stronger, more skilled workforce—together.
Texas Workforce Commission| University of North Texas| UNT College of Health and Public Service| UNT - Department of Rehabilitation & Health Services
02/06/2026
Join us for a lunch-and-learn in collaboration with Disability:IN!🍴
When🗓️: Thursday, February 19th 12:00 pm to 1:00pm
The Rehabilitation Council of Texas is hosting a Hybrid Environment Meeting to gather feedback from VR customers about their experiences with services.
Who should attend:
VR customers and anyone interested in improving vocational rehabilitation services. Field staff are encouraged to share this event with their customers.
Want to attend via Zoom? Register here: https://zoom.us/webinar/register/1317683252272/WN_D990S_glQwWoAU2fX2-1hg
This testimonial captures some of the many skills a parent has witnessed since their student joined the ENGAGE program. Testimonies like these are the heart of why we do what we do and are proud to support and uplift neurodivergent students! ⭐
01/20/2026
We were proud to represent UNT at last week’s DADD Conference, sharing how the ENGAGE program is redefining early employment preparation for neurodivergent students. Meaningful workforce development isn’t optional—it’s essential. Seeing increased momentum around inclusive, career-focused pathways reinforces the importance of preparing neurodivergent individuals to achieve their full professional potential.
Division on Autism and Developmental Disabilities
01/13/2026
Seeing students embrace their future with confidence and excitement is what our Transition Program is all about. 🎓
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Located at the University of North Texas in Denton, Texas, UNT WISE is the premier training and consultancy group for programs seeking to enhance employment outcomes for individuals with disabilities. UNT WISE conducts training, hosts conferences, and provides technical assistance to community rehabilitation programs (CRP) and organizations serving individuals with disabilities. UNT WISE provides over 100 training events, serving more than 2,300 individuals, annually.
UNT WISE holds the Association of Community Rehabilitation Educators approval for its Supported Employment Basic Certificate courses. Its online certificate program was hailed as "model for online training" by ACRE panel reviewers. ACRE approved training is required by many states as a prerequisite for employment services providers.
UNT WISE partners with universities, vocational rehabilitation agencies and other stakeholders to develop new training and service programs based on the needs of specific communities. Some recent collaborations include:
In an effort to increase the quality of employment services provided by Employment Services Providers in Texas, the Texas Workforce Solutions-Vocational Rehabilitation Services legacy agency partnered with UNT WISE in 2010 to develop and maintain a credential process. The credential requirement applies to all employment services providers such as Job Coaches, Job Skills Trainers, Job Placement Specialists, Supported Employment Specialists and CRP Directors. UNT WISE developed the credentialing process, including the training and testing. UNT WISE manages the maintenance of the credential. Over 2,000 individuals hold one or more employment services credentials.
In 2016, UNT WISE introduced a new credential for Vocational Adjustment Training (VAT). This credential is designed to build the skills and knowledge for credentialed Job Placement Specialists to effectively assist a person with a disability to learn skills needed to become work and job ready. The course includes the instruction on universal design for learning and accommodation as well as eight VAT content areas related to vocational exploration, soft skills, disclosure, financial education, and public transportation training.
UNT WISE introduced the Autism Endorsement in the Spring of 2016. This endorsement provides credentialed Supported Employment Specialists tools to support individuals with autism. The endorsement also includes training on the Environmental Work Assessment, which assist persons with autism to identify a work environment consistent with their unique support needs.
Live and Learn program designed for transitioning youth with disabilities to explore career pathways, envision a job they liked in their future, and practice independent living skills. Not only does the program provide a platform for participants to explore career pathways and visit workers doing these jobs, but also serves as a venue for UNT's Rehabilitation Studies undergraduates and Rehabilitation Counseling graduate students to put into practice what they have learned. To date, the Live and Learn Program has hosted 100 participants.
College WISE summer program is designed for transitioning youth with disabilities to explore higher education opportunities, expectations of college life, and practice independent living skills. This program also provides an opportunity for UNT's Rehabilitation Studies undergraduates and Rehabilitation Counseling graduate students to put into practice what they have learned. In 2017, College WISE hosted 25 participants.
