WISE delivers information, continuing education, & technical assistance in areas that affect the employment and inclusion of individuals with disabilities.
09/09/2025
📢 In-Person Employment First Training Opportunity 📢
Are you (or your staff) supporting people with disabilities in reaching their employment goals? Whether you’re a service coordinator, employment specialist, direct care staff, day habilitation staff, job coach, supervisor, or in another direct support role—this training is for you!
Texas Health and Human Services Commission is hosting in-person Employment First trainings across Texas, offering practical tools and CEUs to strengthen your work in competitive, integrated employment.
🐾 September is National Guide Dog Month — a time to honor the incredible partnerships between guide dogs and the people they serve.
Guide dogs are more than companions; they provide safety, independence, and confidence, empowering people who are blind or visually impaired to navigate the world with greater freedom.
Behind every guide dog is also a dedicated trainer, a supportive community, and the deep bond that transforms lives. This month, we celebrate the remarkable role these dogs play in advancing accessibility and inclusion.
💚 Let’s raise awareness, share appreciation, and continue to support the work that makes these partnerships possible.
08/29/2025
🎉 Happy Grand Opening to Hope Village! A huge congratulations to the incredible staff and leadership at Advo with Hope to Opportunities whose hard work made this milestone possible. Texas Beacons of Excellence (TBE) is proud to be a part of this life-changing journey. Together, we’re building meaningful opportunities that lead to competitive integrated employment for people with disabilities.
Texas Workforce Commission | University of North Texas | UNT College of Health and Public Service | UNT - Department of Rehabilitation & Health Services
08/28/2025
🌟 Shoutout to our incredible UNT WISE Summer Program Counselors! 🌟
Thank you for showing up with heart, patience, and passion every day. Your commitment to empowering students with disabilities through advocacy, guidance, and encouragement has made this summer unforgettable. You helped plant seeds of confidence, independence, and growth, and we are so grateful!
"To the world you may be one person, but to one person you may be the world." – Dr. Seuss
Thank you for being that person for our students. 🙌💚
08/26/2025
Build Your Circle, Strengthen Your Well-Being 🫂
Whether it’s a quick text to a friend, a shared lunch, or joining a local group, connection is key. Supportive relationships help us feel seen, safe, and stronger.
✨ Tip: Try reaching out to someone today just to say you’re thinking of them. Little gestures can go a long way.
Connection is not just a nice-to-have; it’s essential. When we invest in our relationships, we strengthen our personal wellness and are more equipped to contribute to healthier, more supportive communities.
08/22/2025
🌟 UNT WISE was in action at the Texas Advocates Conference!
Ryan Cole and April, a TBE participant from Goodwill Dallas, represented our team as exhibitors at the Texas Advocates Conference in Denton. They spent the day engaging with self-advocates, service providers, and families from across Texas, sharing how the TBE project is opening doors to competitive, integrated employment for people with disabilities. The excitement from self-advocates, service providers, and families across Texas proves this work is making a difference! 💼💚
Texas Workforce Commission | University of North Texas | UNT College of Health and Public Service | UNT - Department of Rehabilitation & Health Services | Texas Advocates
08/20/2025
📚 The new semester is here!
Whether you're a freshman finding your way or a senior ready to finish strong, this is your moment. College can be a challenge, but you've got what it takes.
Here’s some simple tips to help you start the year focused and prepared. ✅
Let’s make it a great one — day by day, step by step. Keep moving forward, your future is calling!
08/19/2025
Check-In with Yourself 🧠
Your mental and emotional wellness matters. Pause today and ask: How am I feeling, really? Journaling, deep breathing, or talking to someone you trust can make all the difference.
💡Tip: Make time for a “mental reset” in your day, even if it’s just 10 minutes of stillness.
Tending to our mental and emotional health helps us extend patience and understanding to others, strengthening the web of support around us.
08/13/2025
Big thanks to TWC-VR Amarillo for visiting Advo with Hope to Opportunities! The team toured Scoops with Smiles Ice Cream Parlor, Jeffrey’s Deli, and Special Blends Coffee & Tea, where they saw several of their customers engaged in their internships. 🍨☕
Shoutout to Sonia Martinez and the Advo team for showing the impact of meaningful community partnerships in action! 💼💙
Texas Workforce Commission | University of North Texas | UNT College of Health and Public Service | UNT - Department of Rehabilitation & Health Services
08/12/2025
✨ Move a Little, Feel a Lot
You don’t need a gym to feel your best. Small actions, like a 10-minute walk, stretching between meetings, or simply refilling your water bottle, add up. Every movement supports your mental clarity, boosts your mood, and strengthens your body.
💡 Wellness Tip: Treat your movement breaks like important meetings. Put them on your calendar, and show up for yourself.
Regular movement boosts endorphins, reduces stress, and increases energy, helping us show up more positively in our communities. When we feel our best, we’re more likely to connect with others, participate in shared activities, and offer support.
08/08/2025
The fall semester is here, and our ENGAGE program is back in action! 🍂📘 We're thrilled to welcome our new students at today’s ENGAGE orientation and can’t wait to support them on their journey at UNT. Let’s make it a great year! 💚
University of North Texas
08/07/2025
🌟 Employee Spotlight 🌟
Meet Christa Lim, our Senior Administrative Coordinator here at UNT WISE!
Christa has played a role in supporting the ENGAGE program, and her dedication to our mission truly shines. When asked about her favorite part of her role, she was happy to share!
We’re grateful for Christa’s compassion and commitment to building a community where every student feels seen, supported, and valued. 💚
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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.
