Idaho Employment Capacity Leveraged through IPSE

11/04/2025

Did you know the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) has been supporting students and families since 1975? 🤔📚

This landmark law guarantees a free appropriate public education for individuals with disabilities, ensures access to special education and related services, supports early intervention services, and funds innovative programs through competitive grants.

IDEA has transformed the lives of countless students by ensuring education and support that help them reach their full potential — and it laid the groundwork for what we do at ECLIPSE.

At ECLIPSE, we carry IDEA’s promise into adulthood by expanding inclusive post-secondary education (IPSE) opportunities and preparing students for competitive integrated employment (CIE) across Idaho. We believe that access and opportunities do not end at high school; they continue on college campuses, in communities, and in meaningful careers. 🌎✨

10/31/2025

As National Disability Employment Awareness Month comes to a close, check out how to continue supporting disability awareness year-round!

The .gov means it’s official. Federal government websites often end in .gov or .mil. Before sharing sensitive information, make sure you’re on a federal government site.

10/28/2025

Congratulations to Erik Luvaas, Bethany Martens, and Sara Mahdavi for being awarded seed funding from the University of Idaho Division of Student Affairs to pilot Vandal HARVEST (Hydroponics for Accessibility, Resources, Vocational Equity, Sustainability, and Training) Project, an integrated hydroponic greenhouse serving the Vandal Food Pantry!

The intention of this pilot program is to:
🥬Supply fresh produce to the Vandal Food Pantry
🥬Support job skill development for Vandal QUEST and traditional University of Idaho students alike
🥬Lay the groundwork for competitive integrated employment (CIE) model greenhouses across the Palouse

This project includes a partnership between ECLIPSE, CDHD, the College of Education, Health and Human Sciences, and the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences to support CIE for students with intellectual and developmental disabilities in the University of Idaho’s inclusive post-secondary education program, Vandal QUEST, while providing the Vandal community experiential learning and innovative approaches to food insecurity on campus.

🌟Special thank you to Blaine Eckles, Brandon Brackett, and Tanya Miura for their generous support! 🌟

Brian, one of the students in Vandal QUEST, is ready to prepare the greenhouse for our first harvest. We are excited to continue empowering students while creating a more equitable and sustainable future for Vandals!

10/27/2025

The ECLIPSE team recently represented Idaho at two national conferences: the CEC Division on Career Development and Transition (DCDT) Conference and the State of the Art (SOTA) Conference on Inclusive Postsecondary Education.

➡️ At DCDT, we presented a poster highlighting ECLIPSE’s statewide efforts to expand inclusive postsecondary education and competitive integrated employment.
➡️ At SOTA, we facilitated a discussion exploring how self-advocates define and teach job skills within inclusive college and employment settings.

10/24/2025

🌟Student Spotlight: Hope🌟
In celebration of National Disability Employment Awareness Month, we’re proud to highlight Hope! Hope is a student at University of Idaho in the Vandal QUEST program and currently works on campus at the .

When asked what has helped her succeed, Hope credits Vandal QUEST, her family, and her mentors for their support. One of her proudest accomplishments is building her independent skills.

Way to go, Hope! ECLIPSE is proud to support incredible students in Idaho’s Inclusive Post-Secondary Education (IPSE) programs, including Hope, as they work to achieve competitive integrated employment.

10/21/2025

🌟Student Spotlight: Kiara🌟
In celebration of National Disability Employment Awareness Month, we’re proud to highlight Kiara! Kiara is a student at Lewis Clark State College in the SPARC program and currently interns at the Beauty Bar.

Her career aspirations include attending cosmetology school and obtaining a job in that field upon completion. For Kiara, meaningful employment means staying on the job and doing what you’re told to do.

We’re proud of you, Kiara! ECLIPSE is honored to support her journey towards competitive integrated employment.

10/17/2025

🌟Student Spotlight: Brandon🌟
We’re continuing to celebrate our ECLIPSE students during National Disability Employment Awareness Month, including Brandon! Brandon is a student at University of Idaho in the Vandal QUEST program and currently works at the Eatery at University of Idaho.

Brandon’s career aspirations include becoming a cook in a kitchen so he can share his cooking skills with the Moscow community. Brandon wants to make people happy with the food he makes.

We can’t wait to see what you accomplish, Brandon! During NDEAM and beyond, ECLIPSE continues to support students like Brandon achieve competitive integrated employment.

10/15/2025

We’re halfway through National Disability Employment Awareness Month! 🥳

Looking for ways to celebrate and raise awareness? Explore creative ideas for any audience by visiting the “Plan NDEAM Observances” section at the link below:
https://www.dol.gov/agencies/odep/initiatives/ndeam

The .gov means it’s official. Federal government websites often end in .gov or .mil. Before sharing sensitive information, make sure you’re on a federal government site.

10/10/2025

🌟Student Spotlight: Callen🌟
In celebration of National Disability Employment Awareness Month, we’re proud to highlight Callen! Callen is a student at Bosie State University in the PEERS program and currently works for Fred Meyer.

Among his proudest accomplishments are getting a job, graduating high school, and going to college. To him, meaningful employment means being fair with opportunities and being supportive in the workplace.

Great work, Callen! ECLIPSE is so proud of Callen’s hard work, and we are excited to continue to support him towards his goal of competitive integrated employment.

10/08/2025

As National Disability Employment Awareness month continues, we’re celebrating a major milestone of an historic high employment for adults with disabilities!

At ECLIPSE, we know there’s still work to do. That’s why one of our three core goals is supporting students with disabilities in post-secondary education build the skills they need for competitive integrated employment. We’re proud to be a part of the progress.

This month we observe National Disability Employment Awareness Month ( ) where we focus on celebrating the value and talent people with disabilities bring to their jobs. Communities are strongest when they embrace everyone. Yet, too many people with disabilities still face barriers to full participation.

In 2023, employment for adults with disabilities hit a historic high of 46% since 2008. We celebrate that and also recognize the gap when compared to people without disabilities (79%). Differences in opportunity, access, and equity contribute to this gap.

We envision a world where inclusion is a given, accessibility is assumed, and everyone can participate fully and equally. Through inclusive research, transformative education, and partnerships that empower people and communities, we are working to make this future real. Check out the Annual Report on People with Disabilities in America for more time-trends! https://www.researchondisability.org/annual-disability-statistics-collection

Institute on Disability

10/06/2025

Led by the U.S. Department of Labor’s Office of Disability Employment Policy, this year’s theme for National Disability Employment Awareness Month is, “Celebrating Value and Talent”
This theme honors the achievements of Americans with disabilities in the workplace.

🎥 Watch this clip to learn more about NDEAM!

Each October, during National Disability Employment Awareness Month, or “NDEAM,” we recognize the positive impact of people with disabilities in the American...

10/01/2025

October is National Disability Employment Awareness Month! 🥳

This month recognizes the contributions of employees with disabilities and advocates for competitive integrated employment (CIE) for all.

ECLIPSE promotes CIE through supporting students in Inclusive Post-Secondary Education programs (IPSE) to develop skills and confidence to increase employability.