Timeline | The Able Trust

The mission of The Able Trust is to be a key leader in providing Floridians with disabilities opportunities for successful employment. Since its establishment, The Able Trust has worked with community organizations throughout the state to help thousands of Floridians with disabilities enter the workforce. The Able Trust youth programs provide career development and transition to many students with disabilities annually, helping to reduce the dropout rate and prepare young adults for life beyond high school.

Below is a snapshot of just some of the outstanding achievements The Able Trust has accomplished in since its inception in 1990.

2015

The Able Trust , in partnership with the Florida Department of Economic Opportunity (DEO), made two, $250,000 strategic grant awards (one to ARC Broward, the other to Tallahassee Community College Foundation) in support of local employment initiatives for Floridians with disabilities
Total grant awards reached $35 million
Florida High School High Tech expanded to 42 sites, adding a second Broward County and new Desoto County branch. During the 2014-2015 school year, 1,282 students with disabilities in 39 Florida counties were served
In September, The Able Trust began a year-long celebration of 25 years of service to Floridians with disabilities, combined with the annual Ability Awards event in Orlando

2014

Grant awards for The Able Trust now total more than $33 million
The Florida High School High Tech Program opened two new sites in Okaloosa and Pasco counties, bringing the total number of program sites to 41
The Florida Youth Leadership Forum celebrated its 15th year of providing leadership training for high school students with disabilities
In September, The Able Trust awarded its third Strategic Employment Placement Initiative grant to The Dan Marino Foundation, Inc. in Fort Lauderdale
The Able Trust launched a regional internship seminar series geared toward encouraging businesses to provide more opportunities for people with disabilities through work-place experiences in the form of internships

2013

Grant awards for The Able Trust now total more than $31 million
For three consecutive years, The Able Trust along with the Florida Alliance for Assistive Services & Technology (FAAST) awarded refurbished laptops to deserving high school students with disabilities
Florida High School High Tech and Florida Youth Leadership Forum programs are selected to participate in a Smithsonian Traveling Exhibit highlighting youth initiatives that promote social change
Launched a statewide communications campaign designed to increase awareness of employment opportunities for Floridians with disabilities
Instated new grant guidelines that include the Strategic Employment Placement Grant, which provides opportunities for larger, multi-year grant funding to organizations that offer employment placement for individuals with disabilities in communities across Florida

2012

The Able Trust attained grant awards totaling $29 million since inception
For a second year, The Able Trust along with the Florida Alliance for Assistive Services & Technology (FAAST) donated refurbished laptops to deserving high school students with disabilities
Florida HSHT served 1,549 students with disabilities in 35 Florida counties. Eighty percent of Florida HSHT graduates entered postsecondary education, continuing education, or employment upon graduation

2011

Total grant awards for The Able Trust reached the $28 million mark, funding community organizations throughout Florida’s 67 counties since inception
The Florida Disability Mentoring Day Program continued in its 11th year, fostering more than 6,000 mentoring opportunities in all 67 of Florida’s counties
The Florida High School/High Tech Program served 1,711 students with disabilities in 35 Florida counties. Eighty-eight percent of participants remained in school, entered postsecondary education, or began employment

2010

The Able Trust held it’s first Ability Celebration in Orlando, making the event more centralized and accessible to supporters throughout the state of Florida
The Able Trust reached yet another grant-funding milestone, awarding $27 million in grants to community organizations throughout Florida’s 67 counties since inception
The Florida Disability Mentoring Day Program celebrated its 10th anniversary, fostering 5,000 mentoring and job-shadowing opportunities in all 67 of Florida’s counties
The Florida High School/High Tech Program served 1,559 students with disabilities through 105 schools in 37 Florida counties. Eighty-six percent of participants entered postsecondary education

2009

The Able Trust successfully launched the “Look at My Abilities” campaign during the fall. This statewide educational initiative reinforces the benefits of hiring Floridians with disabilities
The 10th annual Youth Leadership Forum welcomed more than 70 young Floridians with disabilities to learn about disabilities law and advocacy
The Florida High School/High Tech (HS/HT) Program served 1,469 students with disabilities through 107 schools in 35 Florida counties. As a result, 239 students secured employment and 73% of Florida HS/HT students entered post-secondary education
For the third year in a row, The Able Trust Grants Program provided community-based organizations in 52 counties more than $2 million dollars in grant funding to support employment opportunities for individuals with disabilities
National Disability Employment Awareness Month was recognized during the month of October. The Able Trust and its partners began the month’s activities in Tallahassee on October 1, 2009

2008

The Able Trust acquired the “Look at My Ability” campaign rights from the Miami-Dade Business Leadership Network, for distribution to other BLNs throughout the state. The campaign reinforces the benefits of hiring Floridians with disabilities
The Able Trust reached a grant-funding milestone, exceeding $23 million in grants to community organizations throughout Florida’s 67 counties, since its inception
The first annual art contest was held, inviting artists with a disability to design The Able Trust Holiday Card. Over 60 excellent entries were received, with a decision to host this competition on an annual basis to highlight the artistic talents of individuals with disabilities
The Florida High School/High Tech (HS/HT) Program served 1,408 students with disabilities through 112 schools in 36 Florida counties. As a result of program service, 86 percent of HS/HT graduates entered post secondary education or employment
On Disability Mentoring Day in October, led the country in connecting more than 3,000 mentees with disabilities and workplace mentors for job shadowing activities--more than doubling the previous year’s level of participation
The Able Trust offices were moved to a more accessible location in Tallahassee, with greater visibility, complimentary parking, and at a lower cost

2007

Grant awards are anticipated to exceed $1 million by year-end
Expanded the Florida High School/High Tech Program to 37 project sites across the state, now exceeding over 1,000 students with disabilities who receive career development and transition support to prepare for life beyond high school
Selected as the national launch site for Disability Mentoring Day (DMD) by the American Association of People with Disabilities
Joined by the Lt. Governor, hosted a statewide career fair to kickoff DMD activities, with nearly 500 students with disabilities in attendance
Received the US Business Leadership Network "Exceptional Partner of the Year Award"

2006

Grant awards exceeded the $2 million mark, with over $2,155,576 in grants awarded to 69 agencies and 2 individuals, providing employment-related support to Floridians with disabilities.
Celebrated the 10th consecutive year of awarding more than $1 million in grants.
Provided transitioning and career development to over 900 high school students with disabilities through the Florida High School/High Tech Program, which saw almost 90% of its 2006 graduates enter post-secondary education or employment.
Through the support of Volunteer Florida, initiated Project Impact, a successful pilot program providing leadership development through volunteerism and service for Florida High School/High Tech students
Launched a national pilot project with CVS Pharmacy and the US Department of Labor Office of Disability Employment Policy to provide internships to students with disabilities
With continued support of the Volunteer Florida Foundation, celebrated the one year anniversary of The Able Trust e-Mentoring program by hiring a part-time staff member and increasing participation to over 150 mentors and students with disabilities connected through weekly email correspondence.
Led the country in connecting over 1,000 mentees with disabilities with workplace mentors for job shadowing activities on Disability Mentoring Day.
Partnered with the Agency for Persons with Disabilities, Division of Vocational Rehabilitation and Workforce Florida to expand and support 11 local chapters of the Florida Business Leadership Network, leading the nation in the largest chapter development for a single state.
Trained almost 1,000 small and large employers on disability hiring information through a statewide speaker's bureau, online newsletter and business seminars through the Florida Business Leadership Network.

2005

THE ABLE TRUST awards over $1.6 million in grants to 58 nonprofit agencies and 2 individuals
Raised over $2.5 million for The Able Trust Endowment
Collaborates with the Division of Vocational Rehabilitation to expand the Florida High School/High Tech program by adding 10 new sites which will serve an additional 200 students
Launches an e-Mentoring program with the support of the Volunteer Florida Foundation
Serves as the national kickoff hosts for Disability Mentoring Day in collaboration with the Division of Vocational Rehabilitation and other statewide partners. DMD enables over 800 students and job seekers with disabilities to experience one-on-one job shadowing with business mentors across the state

2004

THE ABLE TRUST becomes beneficiary of funds raised from Florida's first motorcycle specialty license plate, the Bikers Care Tag
The Able Trust commissions a statewide study to assess myths and misconceptions of employers in regard to hiring people with disabilities. The study found that most businesses do not think about hiring people with disabilities when seeking employees and were unaware of the resources available to help them accommodate an employee with a disability. The Able Trust launched a statewide awareness campaign through the Florida Business Leadership Network in response to these results.
Awards over $1.7 million in grants to 53 nonprofit agencies

2003

THE ABLE TRUST commissions a statewide study with JM Foundation for Vocational Rehabilitation to address Employer Attitudes About People with Disabilities
Awarded $990,000 grant over five years from the Office of Disability
Employment Policy to expand the Florida High School/High Tech program
Recruits more than 700 students with disabilities to participate in Florida Disability Mentoring Day with the support of local disability agencies

2002

THE ABLE TRUST celebrates 10 year anniversary of awarding over $10 million in grants
Awards 73 grants totaling $1,554,748
Sponsors first annual Florida Disability Mentoring Day
Hosts fifth anniversary of annual Gala at Mar-a-Lago

2001

THE ABLE TRUST awards 47 grants totaling $1,218,802
Expands High School/High Tech to twelve projects statewide. Partnering employers include NASA, University of Florida Brain Institute and IBM
Funds statewide workshop series to address new Ticket to Work legislation regarding Social Security benefits for persons with disabilities

2000

THE ABLE TRUST hosts Florida's first Youth Leadership Forum, a statewide leadership conference for high school students with disabilities that provides them with training on personal leadership, career and academic development, employment options, self advocacy and community resources
Awards 44 grants totaling $747,163
First-time funding awarded to a Chamber of Commerce to develop a job-training program for students with disabilities

1999

THE ABLE TRUST installs the first and only accessible computer in Florida's Capitol for legislative bill-tracking purposes
Governor helps kick off Florida Business Leadership Network
Partners with Florida State University to perform cost-benefit analysis of the employment of Floridians with disabilities. Highlights show for every $1 spent on vocational rehabilitation services, $16 million are returned to society, with approximately $3 million to the Florida economy.
Awards 94 grants totaling $1,486,357
Addresses cultural diversity issues by awarding Bethune Cookman College and Florida Agricultural and Mechanical Universities with research grants to address employment for African Americans with disabilities

1998

THE ABLE TRUST hosts first Fundraising Gala at The Mar-a-Lago Club in Palm Beach. The event raises over $150,000
Awards 130 grants totaling $1,904,413
Grant activity includes establishing an adaptive computer lab at Tallahassee Community College and developing an employment program for Native Americans with disabilities
The Able Trust launched the Florida Business Leadership Network (BLN), an employer outreach program that serves as an information clearinghouse that provides employers with disability hiring resources and local BLN chapters in Florida with general information and networking opportunities for sharing best practices

1997

Florida's Governor signs Executive Order designating The Able Trust as the Florida Governor's Alliance for the Employment of Citizens with Disabilities
The Able Trust/FGA becomes Florida's official liaison to the US Department of Labor Office of Disability Employment Policy
The Able Trust hosts first Symposium on Disabilities
Awards 104 grants totaling $1,245,338
Grant highlights include a University of Florida research project to evaluate abilities of Seizure-alert dogs for persons with Epilepsy

1996

FEFVR begins using The Able Trust™ as official Foundation name
Develops Ability Awards program to recognize a nonprofit organization, an entrepreneur with a disability, employers and the media
Sponsors the Atlanta Paralympic Games
Annual grant awards exceed $1 million
Awards grant to assist with emergency financial relief for education assistance due to Federal Government Shutdown
Funds Bethune Cookman College study to address disability and employment outcomes for African Americans and Hispanics with disabilities

1995

Awards 91 grants totaling $944,262
Grant highlights include a marketing and disability awareness campaign for employers across the State of Florida, including a weekly radio program that addresses training opportunities for people with disabilities

1994

FEFVR initiates endowment program
Awards 33 grants totaling $269,142
Funds emergency deaf services for Hurricane Andrew Relief
Partners with the Dole Foundation to fund initial High School/High Tech project in Florida

1993

FEFVR hires their first President & CEO
Awards 38 grants totaling $214,906
Grant activity reaches out to rural areas of the State

1992

THE ABLE TRUST makes first grant awards totaling $35,771
Projects relate to technology for the blind, employment training and transportation

1991

The Able Trust's founding Board of Directors are appointed by Florida's Governor

1990

Enabling legislation creates the Florida Endowment Foundation for Vocational Rehabilitation (FEFVR) - also known as THE ABLE TRUST