UNT WISE

These events are great opportunities for rehabilitation professionals to connect, learn, and advocate for best practices in employment, transition, and disability inclusion.

📅 June 22-24, 2026
American Association on IDD (AAIDD) Annual Conference – Chicago, IL

📅July 20-24, 2026
Association on Higher Education and Disability (AHEAD) Conference – Providence, RI

📅 July 27-30, 2026
Disability:IN Conference 2026 – Dallas, TX

Find the registration links in the comments below!

We’re excited to share that our team will be attending the 2026 APSE Conference in Dallas from June 8–11! 🎉

Hosted by APSE, this conference brings together professionals, advocates, and leaders committed to advancing inclusive employment opportunities for individuals with disabilities.

If you’ll be there, we’d love to connect!

🔗 Find out more: https://apse.org/2026-conference/

Today we celebrate the 15th Global Accessibility Awareness Day (GAAD)! 🌐

This day is a reminder to prioritize digital access and inclusion for the more than one billion people worldwide living with disabilities.

Accessibility isn’t just a feature; it’s a commitment to creating equitable experiences so everyone can fully participate, connect, and thrive in a digital world.

Today and every day, we challenge ourselves to take action, whether that’s adding alt text, improving website accessibility, or designing with inclusion in mind from the start.

Let’s continue to listen, learn, and build more inclusive spaces online and beyond.

🔗 Learn more from the GAAD Foundation: https://accessibility.day/

Stories like this are why our UNT WISE Transition Programs matter. 💚​

In our programs, participants don’t just gain skills, they build confidence, independence, and a clearer vision for their future. Each summer, we create opportunities for students to explore college, careers, and what’s possible beyond the classroom. ​

We’re gearing up for another impactful summer and can’t wait to welcome our next group of participants!​

Join Imagine Enterprises for “Real Talk with Ricky,” a free, interactive Zoom series where self-advocates and families come together to connect, share, and learn from one another.

🗓️ Session 3: Responsibility
📅 Wednesday, May 13th | 🕧 12:30 PM CT
💬 Topic: Ricky elaborates on the importance of responsibility and giving back to the community.

Presented by Ricky Broussard and Norine Jaloway Gill

🔗 Register here: https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/m1DFt5j-QKm7urcEGIwBpA #/registration.

Welcome! You are invited to join a meeting: Real Talk With Ricky-Session 3. After registering, you will receive a confirmation email about joining the meeting. 30-minute Zoom meeting for self-advocates and families to learn from Ricky Broussard about self-determination. Q&A the last 10 minutes. Session will be recorded and posted to public platforms.

The Texas State Independent Living Council (Texas SILC), in partnership with the Governor’s Committee on People with Disabilities, has launched a statewide survey to better understand the needs, barriers, and priorities of Texans with disabilities.

Individuals with disabilities, families, and caregivers are encouraged to participate and help shape policies, resources, and services across Texas.

📝 The survey takes about 10 minutes, is anonymous, accessible, and open through July 15.

Your voice matters—help inform the State Plan for Independent Living and strengthen support for more inclusive, independent communities.

🔗 Take the survey and learn more:

English: https://form.jotform.com/260956103041044

Spanish: https://form.jotform.com/261036206676052

May is Mental Health Awareness Month!​

This month we recognize the power of community, fostering collaboration, and meeting people where they are. When individuals feel supported, connected, and valued, it can have a powerful positive impact on mental health and overall wellbeing.​

When we lead with compassion and create spaces of support, we make room to experience more good days, together. 💚

Applications for our ENGAGE Program are still open!📢​

ENGAGE is designed to support neurodivergent students at the University of North Texas in achieving success across academic, vocational, social, and personal goals. Our team is committed to creating meaningful pathways that empower students to thrive in college and their future careers!​

📅Application Deadline: May 29, 2026​

🔗Learn more and apply: https://wise.unt.edu/engage/application-process.html​

We’re proud to spotlight our incredible colleagues, Jade Marth, Kellie Roy, and Dr. Kaiqi Zhou, presenting “From Engagement to Empowerment: The Outcomes of the UNT ENGAGE Program.” 👏​

Their work highlights the powerful impact of the UNT WISE ENGAGE program—showing how intentional support, thoughtful implementation, and data-driven strategies are helping neurodivergent students succeed in meaningful ways.

From strengthening academic persistence to fostering professional growth, this program is creating pathways that truly empower neurodivergent students.​ By analyzing program data and participant feedback, their presentation underscores not only the program’s success, but also the ongoing commitment to growth, innovation, and sustainability.

This work is a powerful reminder of how impactful the right support systems can be—and the difference they make in students’ lives every day. 💙​
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Friendly reminder! Our free live webinar “ASSUME a Sensory Reason” is happening tomorrow.

Presented by Jordan Smelley, this session will explore how proprioceptive and tactile sensory patterns shape workplace engagement, and how small, thoughtful adjustments can make a big impact on retention, productivity, and employee well-being.

🗓 Tomorrow, May 1st
⏰ 1:00 PM – 2:00 PM
🔗 Free to attend: https://unt.zoom.us/my/untwisewebinars

Interested in earning continuing education hours? Be sure to scan the QR code in the flyer to learn how.