Student HireAbility

Areas of Focus

The Student HireAbility Navigator (SHN) provides support and coordination around the region to grow and improve workforce transition services offered to students with disabilities and their families. This initiative serves as a resource that partners with Texas Workforce Commission’s Vocational Rehabilitation Services to enhance current programs through three areas of focus:

  • Raise awareness of resources and activities available to students with disabilities
  • Increase community coordination and provide information, training, and technical assistance
  • Inform and engage employers to increase understanding and develop work-based learning opportunities

Participants

The Navigator and Student HireAbility initiative does not administer services, but does work to improve offerings and grow awareness. Program participation through the office of Vocational Rehabilitation is eligibility-based according to the following criteria:

  • Students who are 14 to 22 years old as of September 1st of the previous year
  • Students who are receiving special education services or who have eligibility through Section 504 of the Rehabilitation act
  • Students who are in an approved educational program

Pre-Employment Transition

Planning for what comes next after high school graduation begins long before a student walks across the stage in their cap and gown. For students with disabilities, this process also involves understanding their disability, learning how to advocate for themselves, exploring resources that will benefit them and so much more. The Student HireAbility initiative coordinates and supports the following services to assist students and families in the process of transitioning into the workforce:

  • Career Exploration
  • Counseling: including employment transition, enrollment, and higher education programs
  • Self-Advocacy Support
  • Work-Based Learning: including in school experiences, after school activities, and internships
  • Workplace Readiness
Student HireAbility Navigator Crossword

Resources

Learn more about careers and how they match with skills and interests, explore skill building activities, and more on the Student Resource page. Discover Target Occupations and local training opportunities (paid training based on eligibility). Or watch one of our virtual workshop videos to gain skills around interviewing, job searching, networking, budgeting, and more!

Questions

If you have additional questions, please email Dominiquee Williams, Student HireAbility Navigator, at Dominiquee.Williams@workforcesystem.org, or call 325-795-4372.