ACTIVITIES TOOLKIT
www.floridahsht.org
Acknowledgments
Florida High School High Tech: Activities Toolkit, 2012 Publication
This guide was compiled by The Able Trust, also known as the Florida Governor’s
Alliance for the Employment of Citizens with Disabilities. The Able Trust is a 501(c)(3)
public-private partnership foundation established by the Florida Legislature in 1990. Its
mission is to be the leader in providing Floridians with disabilities fair employment
opportunities through fundraising, grant programs, public awareness and education. Since
its establishment, The Able Trust has awarded over $29 million to individuals with
disabilities and nonprofit agencies throughout Florida for employment-related purposes,
enabling over 2,000 Florida citizens with disabilities to enter the workforce each year.
The Able Trust youth programs provide career development and transition to thousands
of students with disabilities annually, helping to reduce the dropout rate and prepare
young adults for life beyond high school. The Florida High School High Tech Program is
funded by The Able Trust and the Florida Department of Education’s Division of
Vocational Rehabilitation. The program is part of the national HSHT initiative which is
supported by the U.S. Department of Labor, Office of Disability Employment Policy
(ODEP). For more information about The Able Trust, visit www.abletrust.org.
Florida High School High Tech (HSHT) is designed to promote technology related
careers for students with disabilities between the ages of 14-22. The program provides
HSHT students to make better, more informed decisions about the future and focus on
their abilities, not disabilities. The purpose of this guide is to provide the HSHT Project
Coordinator with the resources to recruit and engage students, as well as mentors and
parents, in Florida HSHT program activities.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Guidepost 1 SCHOOL-BASED
PREPARATORY EXPERIENCES
Introduction
The IEP Meeting
The Portfolio
Surveys & Assessments
Additional Resources & Project Coordinators’ Top Picks
1
2
3
7
28
38
Guidepost 2 CAREER PREPARATION & WORK-BASED
LEARNING EXPERIENCES
Introduction
41
42
Post Secondary Planning
Career Exploration Activities
The Job Search (Resume, Applications, Interviews)
Soft Skills
Industry Site Visits
Additional Resources & Project Coordinators’ Top Picks
Guidepost 3 YOUTH DEVELOPMENT
AND YOUTH LEADERSHIP
Introduction
Youth Development
Mentoring
Goal Setting
Self Esteem
Self Advocacy
Conflict Resolution
Youth Leadership
Leadership Activities, Youth Leadership Forum, etc.
Community Service Projects
Disability History & Awareness
Teambuilding Activities
Additional Resources & Project Coordinators’ Top Picks
44
66
87
131
139
145
151
152
153
157
163
175
180
187
193
197
245
283
Guidepost 4 CONNECTING ACTIVITES
Introduction
Post Program Supports
Financial Literacy
Healthcare Transition
Transportation & Mobility
Recreation
Assistive Technology
Additional Resources
287
288
289
293
300
302
304
306
307
Guidepost 5 FAMILY INVOLVEMENT & SUPPORTS 311
Introduction
Engaging Family Members
Developing a Support System
Involving Family Members in Fundraising Efforts
Additional Resources
312
313
315
326
331
Appendix
Icebreakers
Closing Activities
333
335
363
References
371