UNT WISE project helps workers with disabilities excel in growing job market

Friday, September 6, 2024 - 10:00

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DENTON (UNT), Texas - The University of North Texas offers training, programming and events to support Texans with disabilities in securing meaningful employment. Through Texas Beacons of Excellence, which is part of UNT's Workplace Inclusion and Sustainable Employment (WISE) initiative, Texans with disabilities have access to pathways toward fair and equitable wages.

[Link] The UNT WISE staff.

Federally, the project is known as the Disability Innovation Fund Subminimum Wage to Competitive Integrated Employment (DIF-SWTCIE). Fourteen states, including Texas, were selected for participation, each naming its project. In Texas, it's called Texas Beacons of Excellence.

UNT WISE aims to improve the quality of life for people with disabilities by researching best practices, training professionals and supporting the disability community. It offers resources including continuing education courses, ACRE Basic Certificate Training, transition programs, TWC-VR credentials, UNT ENGAGE services, a group that aims to improve the quality of life of neurodivergent students, and the Texas Beacons of Excellence Project.

"Dallas-Fort Worth is growing rapidly, and employers struggle to find quality workers," said Lucy Gafford, director of UNT WISE. "By supporting this often-overlooked group, we're helping them fully engage in the community and economy. There's a lot of trickle-down effects of this project, including positive economic impacts."

In partnership with Texas Workforce Solutions, UNT WISE educates people with disabilities and family members on competitive integrated employment. It also trains educators, staff and vocational rehabilitation professionals on workforce preparation for people with disabilities and guides employers on building an inclusive workforce.

Under the Fair Labor Standards Act, a federal law that sets minimum wage and labor standards, 14(c) certificates allow employers to pay workers with disabilities less than the minimum wage if their disability affects their productivity for the work they perform.

"Our mission is to improve opportunities for people with disabilities by moving them away from subminimum wages to competitive integrated employment," Gafford said. "We want to help 14(c) certificate holders shift toward better employment practices and guide people away from 14(c) jobs to more inclusive roles."

The goals of UNT WISE and the Texans Beacons of Excellence project are to create a model and plan that can be replicated and scaled across the state. The project aims to transition at least 10 percent of Texans with disabilities who are currently earning subminimum wages into competitive integrated employment over the next five years.

[Link] The UNT WISE staff with TBE project participants.

"We need to provide resources and show people what they can achieve," said Sonia Martinez, senior program project coordinator of UNT's TBE project. "I've seen families cry when they realize their loved ones can do more than they thought. Believing in their potential allows our team to pinpoint their skills, elevate their quality of life and help them reach their goals."

Ryan Cole, project director of UNT's TBE project, said many spaces that weren't inclusive of people with disabilities before are now thriving. "Employers are amazed at the capabilities of workers who previously did 14(c) work and are excited about the shift toward more integrated workspaces with an inclusive culture."

Natasha Randolph, who previously earned below minimum wage in a 14(c) job, worked with UNT WISE and is now a part-time tagger at a DFW Goodwill retail location, earning above minimum wage thanks to the Texans Beacons of Excellence project.

"Independence is going after what you believe in and trying your hardest everywhere you go. Working in the community will help me grow personally and professionally," Randolph said.

Jerome Turner joined the Texans Beacons of Excellence project at UNT WISE in February 2024. After completing an internship with Goodwill's IT Department, he was hired part-time to provide IT support during weekly orientation sessions for new employees.

"Independence means advocating for myself. My dream job is to support and assist people in my community," Turner said.

UNT WISE's TBE project has a motto: "Real Work for Real Pay!"