WISE delivers information, continuing education, & technical assistance in areas that affect the employment and inclusion of individuals with disabilities.
12/19/2025
This year was full of meaningful moments! From milestones to everyday wins, 2025 was about showing up, learning together, and building confidence. These photos capture just a glimpse of the energy, relationships, and the shared experiences of ENGAGE this year! ✨
12/17/2025
🎓✨ Graduation time!
Last week, our Transition Program wrapped up its Virtual Transition Program with Santa Fe ISD and celebrated its amazing students with a graduation ceremony!
Through the UNT WISE Virtual Transition Program, these young adults with disabilities developed vocational, independent living, and social & recreation skills through an intensive, engaging virtual experience. A huge shoutout to our incredible project coordinator, Ellie, whose hard work and dedication helped make this graduation such a special and meaningful celebration. We’re so proud of the students’ hard work and growth and can’t wait to see what’s next for each of them! 🎉👏
12/15/2025
Every family has a story, and we love hearing what it means to them to watch their student thrive with ENGAGE. This parent’s words say it all. We’re proud to walk alongside students as they grow, discover, and exceed expectations!
12/11/2025
When a student takes a big leap in independence and maturity, we celebrate right alongside them. Our Transition Program is built for moments just like this—empowering every step forward. 🙌🏽💚
12/09/2025
Shining a light on Eralda Shyle, our Administrative Program Coordinator, whose passion for building bridges and fostering belonging makes a lasting impact at UNT WISE. We appreciate you!
11/27/2025
Wishing everyone a Happy Thanksgiving! 🍂🦃
This season, we’re especially thankful for our partners, colleagues, and community who make our mission possible every day.
At UNT WISE, we’re proud to serve the disability community across Texas and beyond, empowering inclusion, expanding opportunities, and building pathways to meaningful employment through our many innovative projects and partnerships.
May your day be filled with gratitude, connection, and joy!
11/25/2025
Mark your calendars, some exciting conferences are coming up!
These events are great opportunities for rehabilitation professionals to connect, learn, and advocate for best practices in employment, transition, and disability inclusion.
📅 December 3–5, 2025
• 28th Annual Texas Workforce Conference – Corpus Christi, TX
• TAVAC Annual Conference – College Station, TX
📅 January 14–17, 2026
• 27th International DADD Conference on Autism, Intellectual Disability & Developmental Disabilities – Long Beach, CA
📅 February 18–20, 2026
• Texas Transition Conference – San Marcos, TX
Find the registration links in the comments below!
11/20/2025
A look at what the Texas Beacons of Excellence (TBE) team has been up to this quarter!
In July, TBE partnered with the San Antonio SSLC to host a Job Skills Training workshop focused on career discovery, job analysis, and hands-on learning through role-play and accommodation planning.
In August, they joined Klein ISD’s Family Orientation Night, connecting with families and helping new participants take the first steps toward supported employment.
By September, they were in Amarillo at the Greater Amarillo Foster Parent Association event—sharing resources, answering questions, and learning more about community needs.
The TBE team continues to make an impact across Texas, opening doors to new opportunities for individuals with disabilities.
Check out the latest TBE newsletter:https://disabilityinnovation.unt.edu/files/july_aug_sep_2025_tbe_newsletter.pdf
Texas Workforce Commission | University of North Texas | UNT College of Health and Public Service | UNT - Department of Rehabilitation & Health Services
11/17/2025
As the holidays approach, it’s a reminder that not everyone has enough to eat or a safe place to call home.
During National Hunger and Homelessness Awareness Week, we want to raise awareness, showing compassion, and taking action to support those in need.
Whether it’s donating, volunteering, or simply spreading awareness, every small effort can make a meaningful difference. 💜
11/10/2025
Meet April — a Texas Beacons of Excellence success story! 🌟
After three years in subminimum wage employment, April discovered a new path through EmpowermentWorks at Goodwill Dallas . With the support of her team and partners, she achieved competitive integrated employment and now thrives at DHL-Nike as a Production Fulfillment Specialist, earning $18.50/hour in a role that’s meaningful and fulfilling.
Hear directly from April, her supports, and her employer in this inspiring video showcasing the power of opportunity and collaboration. 💼
Texas Workforce Commission | UNT College of Health and Public Service | UNT - Department of Rehabilitation & Health Services | University of North Texas
11/07/2025
📣 You're Invited: RCT Quarterly Meeting 📣
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.
Need accommodations? Contact RCT Coordinator Lisa Godwin at (979) 480-2826 or lisa.godwin@twc.texas.gov at least five (5) working days prior to the meeting.
Questions about the agenda?
Please reach out to Lisa Godwin for more information.
Make your voice count—join the conversation.
11/05/2025
Today is National Stress Awareness Day, and as we move into a busy season, stress can sneak up in small ways — tension in your shoulders, trouble focusing, or feeling drained even after rest. The good news? Small changes can make a big difference.
Here are a few ways to manage stress:
⏰ Take short breaks throughout your day
💧 Drink water and stretch when you can
💚 Practice gratitude daily
🤝 Talk to someone you trust if things start to feel heavy
Managing stress isn’t about avoiding challenges — it’s about caring for yourself while you meet them.✨
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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.
