Post-Secondary Vocational Training, Colleges, and Supports

Updated February 2024

ARCIL.INC

*2024 Destination...Life Presenter/Exhibitor

ARCIL, Inc. of Austin, Texas provides independent living services to persons with disabilities, their families, and communities throughout Travis and surrounding counties. ARCIL also provides services throughout Hays, Caldwell, Comal, and Blanco counties at ARCIL San Marcos (San Marcos, Texas), and Williamson, Bell, Burnet, and Milam counties at ARCIL Round Rock (Round Rock, Texas).

ARCIL is a private non-profit corporation dedicated to the advancement and full participation of persons with disabilities in all aspects of life. 

Art Institute of Austin


The Art Institute of Austin, a branch of The Art Institute of Houston, is a nonprofit institution with programs in the areas of design, fashion, media arts, and culinary.

Austin Community College- Adult Education Career Pathways



Adult Education Career Pathways programs combine learning, financial assistance, and support services to help you begin a career. Classes are co-taught by an expert in the field of study and an Adult Education specialist. We help students develop skills in reading, writing, and math while they pursue their career in a supportive environment. 

Austin Community College- Recruitment Services



The Recruitment Services team is excited to talk with prospective students and families about ACC programs, areas of study, the recruitment and enrollment life cycle, and paying for college.  

Austin Community College- STEPS 

*2024 Destination...Life Presenter/Exhibitor



STEPS: Skills, Training, and Education for Personal Success. The STEPS is a program that provides a path for students with mild to moderate disabilities to cultivate skills for a successful future. By valuing each student’s unique abilities and developing their individual potential, we provide educational enrichment and the skills for meaningful employment. Our students graduate with confidence, self-reliance, and the tools to become a vital member of the community.

ACC Continuing Education-STEPS Video 

Austin Community College- Student Accessibility Services (SAS)

*2024 Destination...Life Presenter/Exhibitor



Students in higher education self-disclose their disabilities in order to make a formal request for services. There is a Student Accessibility Services (SAS) office at each ACC campus. SAS staff work with qualified students with documented disabilities to determine eligibility and identify reasonable and appropriate accommodations.  Student Accessibility Services provides accommodations to students with disabilities for all programs at Austin Community College. Austin Community College Student Accessibility Services works to provide equitable and effective access for students with documented disabilities in order to support their full participation in College classes and activities. 


Best Buddies International

*2024 Destination...Life Presenter/Exhibitor



Best Buddies International matches skilled and qualified individuals with IDD with businesses seeking enthusiastic and dedicated employees. Through the Jobs program, Best Buddies develops partnerships with employers, assists with the hiring process and provides ongoing support to the employee and employer. 

Ambassadors is a leadership development program for people with IDD. We focus on teaching leadership skills, self-advocacy, and public speaking skills. We would also talk about another adult program, citizens. It is an 18+ friendship chapter that operates out of the Austin area. We do 1-1 matching between people with and without IDD in inclusive friendships. The program also host monthly socials for all participants. All of our programs are free! 

https://www.bestbuddies.org/bbu/ 

Bloom Consulting: Campus Connections - WrapAround College Support Program 

*2024 Destination...Life Presenter/Exhibitor



Campus Connections is an innovative college support program designed to support students with disabilities as they attend the post-secondary institution of their choice. The goal of the program is to empower students to problem solve their concerns more effectively and efficiently while also fostering informed choice and greater self-advocacy.

Capital IDEA 



Capital IDEA provides financial support and extensive professional guidance to motivated, nontraditional students who want to earn more and move up in a great career.  With many community partners, like Austin Community College, we stand committed to providing individuals the opportunity and support they need to earn a degree and get started in a promising career. 

College Living Experience (CLE)

*2024 Destination...Life Presenter/Exhibitor



CLE is a wraparound postsecondary support program for young adults with Autism and other exceptionalities who are learning to live independently while pursuing their college and/or vocational goals.  Using an individualized, strengths-based approach, CLE guides and supports student efforts to develop stronger Academic, Career Development, Independent Living, and Social Skills on their road to maximizing independence and fulfillment in their adult lives.   

CLE Background Flyer

Discover Austin 

CLE Career Development Program Flyer

Eastern New Mexico University-Roswell (Roswell, NM) Special Services Program



The mission of Eastern New Mexico University-Roswell's (ENMU-Roswell) Special Services Program is to educate, train, and empower students with disabilities to obtain entry-level, competitive jobs and to live independently.  

Eastern New Mexico University-Roswell Special Services Informational Documents 

East Williamson County Higher Education Center (EWCHEC)- Hutto



Temple College offers classes in Hutto at the East Williamson County Higher Education Center (EWCHEC).  A variety of offerings are available, including general academic classes, career and technical programs, health professions programs, and Dual Credit classes for high school students.  The East Williamson County Higher Education Center in Hutto offers the convenience of going from a certificate to a graduate degree all in one location through Temple College's partnerships with Texas State Technical College and Texas A&M University- Central Texas. 

Gallaudet University Regional Center- Midwest at Austin Community College 



The Gallaudet University Regional Centers (GURCs) are available to assist you.  The GURCs bring the resources of Gallaudet University, the world's only liberal arts university for deaf and hard of hearing people, to your region through partnerships with six host sites. 

Gary Job Corps Center (San Marcos, TX)


At Gary Job Corps Center, we support the Job Corps program's mission to teach eligible young people the skills they need to become employable and independent and place them in meaningful jobs or further education. 

Goodwill's Summer Earn & Learn

*2024 Destination...Life Presenter/Exhibitor



Capital Area Summer Earn & Learn
Summer Earn and Learn (SEAL) is a grant partnership with the Texas Workforce Commission. It offers two five-week internship options where interns receive on-the-job group job coaching or more individualized support. Click here for more on the Summer Earn & Learn program.


nonPareil Institute 

*2024 Destination...Life Presenter/Exhibitor



nonPareil is a post-secondary, not-for-profit, innovative program. The core of the nonPareil experience is building skills that enable students to work on teams, thrive in a professional environment, create products for market release or work on third-party outsourced projects. The unique nonPareil environment provides time and space for students to find their passion, grow their potential, and discover their purpose.


Whether you’re looking to obtain work-readiness skills, the confidence to pursue a college degree, or want to explore a career in a digital technology field, nonPareil may be for you. Our program provides a balance of structured training while allowing individual flexibility that ensures each student reaches their goals in a timely manner.

nonPareil Institute- General Overview 

nonPareil Institute- Connect With Us and Next Steps

Project SEARCH - Ascension Seton



For the past 15 years, Project SEARCH at Ascension Seton has consistently delivered employment outcomes of 90% for our graduates and we continue to evolve to meet business needs while building essential vocational skills to meet the demands of today's workforce. Project SEARCH at Ascension Seton is a proven model of workforce design, preparing and training young adults with intellectual disabilities for competitive employment. Through diverse, individualized internships, young adults have the opportunity to build their professional portfolio in areas with highly complex responsibilities, all with the goal of creating pathways toward employment. Uniquely, Project SEARCH at Ascension Seton requires a strong collaboration of community partners including but not limited to business, education, state agencies and local support providers; all with the shared goal of employment for each participant.


Ruby's Rainbow 

*2024 Destination...Life Exhibitor



The mission of Ruby's Rainbow is to support adult students with Down syndrome in achieving their dreams of higher education while spreading awareness of their capabilities and general awesomeness!! We provide college scholarships for students with Down syndrome attending post-secondary programs in the U.S., and shout their worth to the rooftops!!


SAGE Studio & Gallery

*2024 Destination...Life Exhibitor



SAGE Studio & Gallery is a non-profit art space in east Austin that provides artists with intellectual and developmental disabilities the materials, space, and support to produce, exhibit, and sell their artwork. 

SayCheese (Taylor, TX)

*2024 Destination...Life Food Truck


To create a vocational environment that will enhance the lives of persons with disabilities through training and meaningful work in a gourmet grilled cheese sandwich shop. 


Southern Careers Institute


SCI is a trade school offering a variety of programs including allied health (medical assistant, billing & coding, pharmacy technician) to business and trades (HVAC, Welding). We are looking forward to informing the community of the opportunities for a new career!

Temple College (Temple, Hutto, and Taylor, TX)



Temple College is a comprehensive community college offering an array of educational opportunities. Founded 1926, Temple College has enjoyed an excellent academic reputation for more than 90 years, and is nationally recognized for excellence in its programs from the visual and performing arts to competitive athletics, and has become one of the premiere institutions in the state for education and training of health care providers. The faculty and staff are committed to providing exceptional quality instruction.  

Texas A&M University- Aggie ACHIEVE (College Station, TX) 



Aggie ACHIEVE at Texas A&M University is a four-year comprehensive transition program (CTP) for young adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD) who have exited high school. Aggie ACHIEVE provides an inclusive and immersive college education and equips students for employment in the community. Aggie ACHIEVE aligns coursework, internship opportunities, and extracurricular activities with each student's academic interests and employment goals. Students reside in Texas A&M residence halls and have access to all campus-related activities. Aggie ACHIEVE students will graduate with a Certificate in Interdisciplinary Studies from Texas A&M University. Aggie ACHIEVE is the first and only CTP in the State of Texas.

Texas A&M University- Texas A&M Agrilife/HOPS Program (College Station, TX) 



The Horticulture Options in Plant Sciences (HOPS) Certificate Program prepares individuals for jobs as Floral Designers and Landscapers.  Students attend a 6-week summer program as a prerequisite to the HOPS Program. Upon completing the summer program and two semesters, participants earn a certificate that combines classroom instruction with hands-on career building experiences.

Texas A&M University- PATHS Certificate Program (College Station, TX)


The Postsecondary Access and Training in Human Services (PATHS) Program is a two-year postsecondary Certificate Training Program that prepares individuals for employment in three different tracks: Direct Support Professional –General (DSP-G), Direct Support Paraprofessional (DSP-P), and Child Care Professional (CCP). This certificate is for students who have a sincere career goal to support individuals with disabilities, older people in their home and community, and children in schools and child-care settings. Individuals with, and without disabilities are eligible to apply. 

Texas State Technical College (TSTC) - East Williamson County Higher Education Center



TSTC in East Williamson County is part of a multi-institutional teaching center called The East Williamson County Higher Education Center (EWCHEC). The college is committed to providing citizens of Hutto, Taylor and the surrounding areas access to highly specialized and advanced technical education that can lead to great career opportunities. TSTC is a state funded, technical skill education, hands on learning, job placement. Ten locations across Texas and over 70 high demand paying career programs. 

Texas State University - Bobcat RISE Program (San Marcos, TX)

*2024 Destination...Life Exhibitor/Presenter



Bobcat RISE is Texas State University’s four-year residential inclusive postsecondary education (IPSE) program for students with intellectual and developmental disabilities (ID/DD). We invited our first cohort of five students to campus in Fall, 2023. Our students take traditional college courses, program-specific courses, and employment support courses. They also have opportunities for job shadowing, internships, and paid employment. During their time as a Bobcat, students develop a plan for the life they desire through experiences and person-centered planning.   

Texas State University - Office of Disability Services (San Marcos, TX)



The Texas State University Office of Disability Services ensures that students with disabilities have equal access to all university programs and activities. We help to foster a supportive and inclusive educational environment through an intersectional model that helps build and maintain partnerships across the university community. 


Texas Tech University - The Burkhart Center for Autism Education and Research at Texas Tech University 

*2024 Destination...Life Presenter/Exhibitor



The Burkhart Center offers two programs for adults with Autism and other developmental disabilities. The CASE PROGRAM providing support for students pursuing an academic degree. The TRANSITION ACADEMY that emphasizes job and social skills that lead to employment as well as life skills that enrich the overall life experience for young adults. 


University of Oklahoma-Sooner Works (Norman, OK)

*2024 Destination...Life Exhibitor & Presenter


The University of Oklahoma’s Sooner Works is a comprehensive integrated program for students with an intellectual or developmental disability who desire a postsecondary experience on a college campus. Sooner Works started the fall of 2019. The program is a four-year certificate program offering a college experience to prepare participants for competitive employment and independent living through a combination of coursework and career exploration. Students in Sooner Works live on campus and take traditional university courses in conjunction with courses specific to Sooner Works. In addition, students will participate in internships and social organizations on the beautiful University of Oklahoma campus.

There are two programs offered through the Zarrow Institute on Transition & Self-Determination at the University of Oklahoma. SPARK360° is specifically designed for autistic, degree seeking students who need support beyond traditional disability resource center requirements. Sooner Works is designed for students with intellectual and developmental disability who complete a 4-year certificate of completion in Integrated Community Studies. 

University of Oklahoma-Spark 360

*2024 Destination...Life Exhibitor


SPARK360 is a new Autism Support Program that launched in Fall 2023. It is designed to support autistic students seeking an undergraduate degree* as they navigate the hidden college curriculum. The program provides full circle support for participating students through academic planning, transition support, employment skills, independent living, and social development. 

There are two programs offered through the Zarrow Institute on Transition & Self-Determination at the University of Oklahoma. SPARK360° is specifically designed for autistic, degree seeking students who need support beyond traditional disability resource center requirements. Sooner Works is designed for students with intellectual and developmental disability who complete a 4-year certificate of completion in Integrated Community Studies. 

University of Texas - Lifelong Learning with Friends (For Adults with IDDs) 

*2024 Destination...Life Presenter/Exhibitor


We are a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization dedicated to providing inclusive higher education and social opportunities for adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDDs) 

LLwF is a continuing education program aimed at adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDDs). Each semester we offer 4-6 courses on fun topics where 7-15 adults with IDDs learn alongside college student volunteers. Students may attend to gain skills to enter the workforce or continue to develop their education. Courses are offered either online or in person on the UT Austin campus.


University of Texas - Longhorn TIES Neurodiversity Support 

*2024 Destination...Life Exhibitor



Longhorn TIES provides individualized support services to UT Austin students who identify as being on the autism spectrum or neurodiverse.  Longhorn TIES seeks to enhance the student experience for students who identify as neurodivergent through advocacy, connections, and training, starting with the New Student Orientation process and continuing throughout the student's tenure at the university.  

University of Texas - Texas Center for Disability Studies: Healthcare Transition Readiness Project 

*2024 Destination...Life Presenter/Exhibitor




The Texas Center for Disability Studies at the University of Texas - Austin works to create a better world through research, education, practice, and policy. TCDS provides workshops, post-secondary programs, free assistive technology loans, training, and more to communities around the great state of Texas.

University of Texas - E4 Texas at the Texas Center for Disability Studies

*2024 Destination...Life Exhibitor



E4Texas is a vocational training program for people with or without disabilities on the UT-Austin campus.  Students will learn the main aspects of independent living, will receive their caretaker certification, and will be supported as they find jobs in their final semester.

E4Texas has four goals:

University of Texas Law - INCLUDE Project/Supported Decision Making Clinic



The INCLUDE Project enables Texas Law students to provide free legal services to persons with disabilities and their families. Through INCLUDE, law students have counseled more than 400 families on guardianship alternatives since the 2015 passage of the Texas Supported Decision Making Act, a law that is the first of its kind nationally and that incorporates certain protections afforded by the U.N. Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities in Texas Law. INCLUDE is an internal project of the Richard and Ginni Mithoff Pro Bono Program, in partnership with the William Wayne Justice Center for Public Interest Law.

Supported Decision Making- UT Law

UT Law- INCLUDE Pro Bono Programs 


Workforce Solutions Rural Capital Area

*2024 Destination...Life Exhibitor



Workforce Solutions Rural Capital Area is a community partnership providing no-cost recruitment and employment services to businesses and job seekers in the Rural Capital Area of Texas. This nine-county region includes Bastrop, Blanco, Burnet, Caldwell, Fayette, Hays, Lee, Llano, and Williamson counties.