Student HireAbility Program

Building an Inclusive Workspace

The Student HireAbility Navigator serves as a resource in the workforce development area to support, expand, and enhance the provision of pre-employment transition services that are provided by the Texas Workforce Commission – Vocational Rehabilitation Services, as well as by other local partners and Workforce Solutions programs.

How the Program Works

The Student HireAbility Program establishes a mechanism by which pre-employment transition services are provided to students with disabilities, as required by title IV of the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA).

Below we have provided more information about the Student HireAbility Program to further assist you.

Areas of Focus

The Student HireAbility Navigator (SHN) initiative provides support and coordination around the region to grow and improve workforce transition services offered to students with disabilities and their families. SHN serves as a vital resource and partner to enhance current programs offered by Texas Workforce Commission’s Vocational Rehabilitation Services 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.

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 SHN initiative coordinates and supports the following services to assist students and families in the process of transitioning into the workforce:

Job exploration counseling
Work-based learning experiences, which may include in-school or after school opportunities, experiences outside of the traditional school setting, and/or internships
Counseling on opportunities for enrollment in comprehensive transition or post secondary educational programs
Workplace readiness training to develop social skills and independent living
Mock interviews to help students prepare to enter the workforce
Instruction in self-advocacy

Career Exploration

Virtual reality (VR) headsets offer a unique and immersive experience that can enhance traditional learning methods. With VR, students can explore and interact with digital environments that would be impossible to replicate in real life.

VR also provides a more inclusive learning experience, allowing students with disabilities or limited mobility to participate and engage in ways that may not have been possible before.

For more information, visit the VR headsets page of our website.

Participants

The SHN 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.

National Disability Employment Awareness Month

In honor of National Disability Employment Awareness Month (NDEAM), we connected with local businesses that put employees with disabilities first – including the Beacon Lighthouse for the Blind in Wichita Falls.

We spoke with President & CEO Judy Koetter, Accounting/Customer Service Representative Brenda Terry, and Press Operators Andy Millard and Dustin Woods.

NDEAM is observed every October to celebrate the value and talent workers with disabilities add to America’s workplaces and economy. Learn more here.

Student Hireability Navigator

Email Address
Luz.Espinal@ntxworksolutions.org

Phone Number
940-322-1801, ext 5105

Documents

2026 Transition Fair Workbook

Employers

(940) 322-1801

Job Seekers

(940) 322-1801

Disability Services

(940) 235-1710

Child Care

(940) 723-8774

In partnership with:

We provide services within the North Texas area. For contact information regarding a specific location, please click or tap the button below.

Our Locations

Our Services

Upcoming Events

Resources

News and Updates

Get the latest news and updates in your inbox each month.

WORKFORCE SOLUTIONS NORTH TEXAS IS AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER/PROGRAM

Auxiliary aids and services are available upon request to individuals with disabilities. Relay Texas: 1-800-735-2989 (TTY); 1-800-735-2988 or 7-1-1 (Voice). Individuals requiring assistance or interpretive services for a Board meeting should call (940) 767-1432 or the TDD number 1-800-735-2989 or 711 within five days of the posted meeting date.

This document contains important information about workforce system services. Language services, including the interpretation/translation of this document are available for free by calling 940-322-1801. • Este documento contiene información importante sobre los servicios del sistema de empleo. Hay servicios de idiomas disponibles, incluyendo la interpretación y traducción de este documento, de forma gratuita llamando al 940-322-1801. • Tài liệu này có thông tin quan trọng về các yêu cầu, quyền hạn, quyết định, và/hoặc trách nhiệm để sử dụng các dịch vụ của hệ thống nhân lực. Các dịch vụ trợ giúp ngôn ngữ, bao gồm thông dịch/chuyển ngữ tài liệu này, có sẵn miễn phí khi quý vị yêu cầu.