BACKGROUND
High School High Tech (HS/HT) is a national program designed to provide young people with disabilities the opportunity to explore technology-related careers or postsecondary education. HS/HT programs take place in many states throughout the county and the Florida High School High Tech (FSH/HT) program represents one of the few true statewide efforts. Through a network of project sites in communities throughout the state, the program offers career-related activities, training, and support to high school students with disabilities who have an interest in technology-related careers.
DETERMINE WHY YOU NEED OR WANT PEOPLE TO GET INVOLVED:
The FSH/HT program has project sites in 29 counties across Florida. This represents only half of the counties in the state. People need to continue to become involved with the program to expand the project sites into other counties. The goal is to have a project site in every Florida county.
The number of businesses and community members involved in the project needed to increase to enable each site to provide even better opportunities for students with disabilities. For example, the more businesses involved in the project as internship sites, the more exposure students have to different kinds of careers.
IDENTIFY THOSE WHO NEED TO BE INVOLVED:
Each project site can have different needs for community and business partner involvement depending on the location, existing networks, and community support. Even with these differences, most sites seek to involve the following community members:
- Regional Workforce Development Board
- Local government
- Universities, colleges, and technical schools
- Local businesses
- Chamber of commerce
- School district
- Disability organizations
Identification of those organizations that need to be involved may differ for each project site and it may also differ based on the stage of that particular site. A start up site may rely on one or two people to gather support and build a core group based on existing networks and relationships. A project site with more history and few gaps in membership, may seek out specific community groups to fill the gaps without benefit of an existing relationship. In this case, it is important to learn as much as possible about the organization and learn to speak “their” language.
Recruiting partners and participants from diverse backgrounds and disabilities is a priority for the Florida HS/HT program. They actively seek organizations that involve all types of disabilities such as centers for independent living. Student diversity is also encouraged.
One of the ways that the project creates conditions that allow for diversity is the use of outside organizations in the program structure. For example, when groups are used for site visits, internships, or other program events specific organizations are involved that bring diversity to the group. The goal is to expose students to as many different kinds of experiences, organizations, people, and careers as possible.
REACH OUT TO THOSE WHO CAN BENEFIT AND CONTRIBUTE THROUGH PEOPLE WHO CAN CONNECT WITH AND PERSUADE OTHERS:
The HS/HT program sought to align itself with various sponsors help achieve its goals. Its main sponsor, the Able Trust, provides financial support, a positive reputation, an existing structure, and contact base for local sites to expand the involvement of community members. The Able Trust acts as a “connector” and “persuader” for the HS/HT program when recruiting new businesses and community members to become involved. In addition, each local site has at least one or two core people who act in this capacity on an individual level and work to develop and maintain the coalitions at the local level.
INDICATE CORE COMPONENTS OF THE EFFORT TO ENCOURAGE PARTICIPATION AND INVOLVEMENT:
The message of the HS/HT program is “Because people want to work.” This message is portrayed to community and business partners through photographs of people with disabilities working and success stories of how students with disabilities have been involved with the program and ultimately found gainful employment and/or gone to college. The program benefits are also reinforced through media spots and press releases, the Ability Award, and other training and awareness events held in each community.
Participation is encouraged specifically among businesses through disability awareness events. The Business Leadership Networks facilitates these events that focus on increasing employers understanding of employment and disability.
USE PARTICULAR SOURCES AND INFLUENTIAL PERSONS AND ORGANIZATIONS TO REACH SPECIFIC GROUPS:
The sources and channels of influence involving most of the business and community partners involved in the HS/HT program result from informal networks or existing relationships. Some become involved as a result of presentations at Business Leadership functions or other business-related events. Because the HS/HT is a grassroots program, specifically with regards to new project site development, the naturally occurring groups are the most effective source of influence.
CREATE AN ATMOSPHERE THAT FOSTERS CONTINUED PARTICIOATION BY STAFF AND VOLUNTEERS:
The HS/HT program began with the efforts of one person. It is this individual’s determination and passion for students with disabilities and belief in their abilities that has created an atmosphere that fosters continued participation by staff and volunteers. The enthusiasm of one individual can set the tone for an entire organization.
Program focus has been on partnership and collaboration from the very beginning. It is this collaborative spirit that has made the program successful thus far and makes people want to continue to be involved. The success of the program and continued participation also can be attributed to the motivation and high standard of the HS/HT program.
ASSESS WHETHER THE PARTICIPATION PLAN IS EFFECTIVE AND MAKE NEEDED ADJUSTMENTS:
The local project sites are the experts and define success for themselves. However, as a statewide effort, the plan is working as evidenced by the continued enthusiasm, growing number of project sites, and increased amount of business and community members at each project sites.