Wise

11/07/2025

Resumes list experiences. Storytelling shows who someone is. How can we bring the two together? Join us on Wednesday November 12th to discover creative ways to showcase skills and experiences beyond traditional resumes. Register at gowise.org/webinars

11/06/2025

Introducing our revised strategic plan. Our 2025–2029 strategic plan centers on leadership by people with disabilities, innovation, and community-driven change toward equitable employment for all.

[Image Description: 1: “Strategic Plan. 2025 - 202. Vision: People with disabilities are valued members of the community, recognized for their contributions. Mission. Equitable employment for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities.​”

2: “Our Strategic Priorities: Hiring Leaders and Trainers with Disabilities​. Providing paid leadership, training and technical assistance opportunities for subject matter experts with disabilities. Employment for All requires the leadership and expertise of people with disabilities.

3. Increasing Innovation and Access. Ensuring innovation and access in everything we do. Wise serves as a catalyst for change.

4. Developing an Effective Board and Staff. A thriving board and staff innovates and delivers effective results. Wise invests in growth, personal strengths and balance to support a diverse, vibrant organization.

5. Delivering Effective Training & Technical Assistance. Expert training and tailored technical assistance for lasting success. Wise delivers quality learning and technical expertise that is grounded in lived experience, values and flexible in approach.

6. Meeting the Need of the Moment. Wise initiates growth and change by strategically meeting community needs. Possibility is infinite. How we move is intentional."]

11/05/2025

2025 EDDIE Awards 🏆 Launched in 2023, the EDDIE Awards are the first in the United States dedicated to spotlighting and honoring entrepreneurs with disabilities.

Learn more about Synergies Work and the EDDIE Awards: https://synergieswork.org/eddie-awards-2/

Synergies Work Georgia Council on Developmental Disabilities

[Image Description: A photo of Wise staff, Ali DeYoung and Jim Corey, standing with Wendy Dean, Disability Advocate, Georgia Advocacy Office and Charlie Miller from the Georgia Council on Developmental Disabilities. They are all facing the camera in front of an Eddie Awards sign and smiling.]

11/04/2025

We’re seeking new-to-Wise presenters for our weekly Wise Webinar Series — and we offer competitive compensation!

We’re especially excited to feature presenters with lived experience and real-world examples on topics like assistive technology, AI in job development, workplace accommodations, and more.

Submit your proposal (one per topic — multiple welcome!) here: https://forms.office.com/Pages/ResponsePage.aspx?id=nA1N9BGQvU-WQRs26TdocKE8LIWXwipAlM5cZX3Lx89UQloxWEwxQkI3VTdOT1JIRUZaNjZINzhWRy4u

[Image Description: A graphic with a multi-shade lime green background and rounded stacked rectangles with text on top. The text reads. "Get Paid to Present! Wise Webinar Series. Share your expertise, stories and best practices - and get compensated! Priority for presenters with lived experience. Submit your proposal today!"]

11/04/2025

Join us Wednesday at 11am PST for a practical session on storytelling strategies that help people understand and navigate complex social rules.

In this workshop, you will:
• Explore a wide range of narrative tools, from the classic Social Story™ to innovative Power Cards and Comic Strip Conversations.
• Receive step-by-step guidance on how to craft and use two of the most powerful techniques: Social Stories and Power Cards.
• Learn the secrets to choosing effective visuals and teaching methods to bring your narratives to life.
• Discover how to responsibly leverage modern AI tools to generate stories and images, while navigating important ethical issues like privacy.

Hope to see you there!

[Image Description: A graphic with a teal to white gradient with an educational icon background below. Shaun's photo is in a rounded rectangular frame. The Wise logo is in the top left with the Wise Webinar icon on the right, a laptop computer illustration with several people on screen attending a webinar and the Wise 'W' icon above. The text reads "Unlock the Power of Storytelling: Using Social Narratives to Coach and Empower. Wednesday November 5, 2025 with Shaun Wood. gowise.org/home/training/webinars"]

10/29/2025

BenefitU News Update: SSA Announces 2026 Cost of Living (COLA) Increases

Starting January 2026, Social Security benefits—including SSI, SSDI, and CDB—will increase by 2.8% thanks to the annual Cost-of-Living Adjustment (COLA).

✅This means higher monthly payments to help keep pace with inflation.

For example:

SSI federal benefit rate for individuals will rise from $943 to about $969.
Average SSDI benefit will increase by roughly $44 per month.

Want to learn more? Check out the official SSA article here: https://blog.ssa.gov/social-security-announces-benefit-increase-for-2026/

If you have questions or challenges with your SSA cash or medical benefits, visit www.benefitu.org and schedule an intake appointment today!

Social Security benefits and Supplemental Security Income (SSI) payments for 75 million Americans will increase 2.8 percent in 2026. On average, Social Security retirement benefits will increase by…

10/22/2025

Check out the great work happening in Kansas! We’re so grateful for the partnership with KUCD - Kansas University Center on Disabilities.

🌻 KUCD is building partnerships to support competitive, integrated employment in Kansas through the Kansas Employment First Project!

Education Program Coordinator Doug Berryman and Robyn Slocum with Wise along with three of the Kansas Employment First Grant Pilot Providers, Amanda Myers (Down Syndrome Innovations), Brindilyn Stables (Starkey, Inc.), and Kendra Krier (OCCK Inc.) presented a panel discussion at the Interhab Power Up! Conference in Manhattan, Kansas.

In the session, attendees heard from KUCD and pilot site participants about their experiences with the Kansas Employment First pilot project. The project goal was for the pilot participants to help 20 individuals with disabilities to obtain employment by December 31, 2025. As of September 2025, 184 individuals have obtained employment which is an increase of 920% of the projected outcomes!

At the end of the session, Doug announced to the audience that the Kansas Department of Aging and Disability Services (KDADS), in partnership with KUCD and WISE, will be starting the next phase of the project with Pilot Project 2 beginning 2026. This next phase of the project will include assisting seven more participant organizations to enhance their employment programs for individuals with disabilities.

🌻 Learn more about Kansas Employment First here: https://kucd.ku.edu/employment-first

📷 Pictured left to right: Kendra Krier (OCCK), Amanda Meyers (DSI), Brindi Stables (Starkey), Doug Berryman (KUCD), Robyn Slocom (WISE)

10/21/2025

Before we reach for new tools or advanced strategies, it’s essential to return to the basics. This webinar explores the foundational practices in job development that often get overlooked. You’ll examine the expectations you set—spoiler: it starts with you—and learn practical ways to deeply understand the clients, communities, and employers you work with. By strengthening these fundamentals, you set the stage for meaningful, lasting employment outcomes.

Join us on Wednesday at 11am PST! www.gowise.org/home/training/webinars

[Image Description: A graphic with a teal to white gradient with an educational icon background below. Emily's photo is in a rounded rectangular frame. The Wise logo is in the top left with the Wise Webinar icon on the right, a laptop computer illustration with several people on screen attending a webinar and the Wise 'W' icon above. The text reads "Groundwork for Greatness: Setting the Stage for Employment Success. Wednesday October 22, 2025 with Emily Harris. gowise.org/home/training/webinars"]

10/11/2025

Wise is hiring! We’re looking for an Accounts Payable and Payroll Coordinator to join our team.

This role is key to maintaining Wise’s financial integrity and operational efficiency, managing payroll, processing vendor payments, supporting audits, and contributing to budgeting and analysis alongside the Finance Director.

• To apply, send your resume and cover letter to jobs@gowise.org by October 19th.
• See the full job description: www.indeed.com/job/accounts-payable-and-payroll-coordinator-8d5714eb315971b8

Image description: A teal background graphic with the Wise logo at the top, followed by large white text that says “We Are Hiring.” Below that, there’s an orange rounded rectangle button with the job title “Accounts Payable and Payroll Coordinator” written in white text.

10/10/2025

This week, Clark County celebrated the 25th Annual National Disability Employment Awareness Month (NDEAM) — honoring local workers, businesses, and community members.

To mark the occasion, Wise and the Clark County Developmental Disabilities team partnered with the talented Michael Ferry on a special video keynote featuring Mary Strehlow, Norm Goldman, Tammi Graves with Safeway, and James Carter with Walmart. Together, they reflect on the progress Clark County has made over the past 25 years in expanding inclusive employment opportunities.

Watch the full keynote below and join us in celebrating the ongoing work to build more inclusive workplaces: https://youtu.be/Uswp_faxPiU?si=s9JemaYmLSzM6Gwm

Join us in honoring 25 years of inclusive employment in Clark County!This video highlights how inclusive and meaningful employment has shaped the community o...

10/07/2025

"I think everybody should work."

Happy National Disability Employment Awareness Month!

Enjoy this sneak peek of Celebrating 25 Years of Inclusive Employment in Clark County. Want to see the full video? Join us tomorrow, October 8, at Clark College for Clark County’s 25th Annual Celebration of !

We look forward to celebrating local workers, businesses, and community members while reflecting on 25 years of Supported Employment in Clark County.

10/07/2025

In this week's webinar, discover a practical framework for designing effective staff training programs. Learn how to assess learner needs, analyze existing materials, fill content gaps, and embed professional development. Plus a quick look at Learning Management System tools like Wise Learning Center Pro.

Join us at 11am PST: www.gowise.org/home/training/webinars

[Image Description: A graphic with a teal to white gradient with an educational icon background below. Anne-Marie's photo is in a rounded rectangular frame. The Wise logo is in the top left with the Wise Webinar icon on the right, a laptop computer illustration with several people on screen attending a webinar and the Wise 'W' icon above. The text reads "Wise Webinar Series, Building Better Training Programs: A Practical Framework for Agencies. Wednesday October 8, 2025 with Anne-Marie Lake. gowise.org/home/training/webinars"]