University of North Texas 
Webinars and Trainings
Check out these amazing webinars/trainings that are hosted by the Texas Beacons of Excellence Project and various project partners!
Webinars
Assume A Sensory Reason
Jordan Smelley, MHPS, is an internationally recognized and award-winning speaker on intellectual and developmental disabilities and recovery supports. He is a Certified Mental Health Peer Specialist, Certified People Planning Together Lead Trainer, and approved Texas Education Agency Continuing Professional Education Provider who works with Integral Care’s Transition Support Team to provide consultation and training for systems supporting people with intellectual and developmental disabilities. In this webinar, ASSUME a Sensory Reason™: Improving Workplace Regulation, Retention, and Engagement, Jordan introduces a practical framework to help supervisors, job coaches, and support professionals move beyond behavior-only interpretations and consider how sensory regulation needs may influence workplace engagement. Participants will explore how proprioceptive and tactile sensory patterns can affect behaviors such as pacing, withdrawing in crowded spaces, or discomfort with uniforms or touch, while learning low-cost, regulation-informed strategies that support dignity, retention, productivity, and employee well-being.
Earn the Ask: Storytelling for Stronger Employer Partnerships
This webinar by Todd Tolson, a business development professional, trainer, and founder
of the Blind Muse Foundation with more than 25 years of experience in relationship-driven
sales, customer engagement, organizational development and disability advocacy. In
this training, Todd shares practical strategies for using storytelling, relationship-building,
and business-focused communication to help Employment Specialists build trust with
employers, understand business needs, and communicate the value of employment services
in ways that connect with long-term workforce goals.
On the Demand Side: Employer Engagement Approaches to Cultivate Opportunities for Workers with Disabilities
Pt. 1
On the Demand Side: Employer Engagement Approaches to Cultivate Opportunities for Workers with Disabilities
Pt. 2
This presentation describes tried-and-true employer engagement strategies designed to match the valuable labor resource in the disability community with high-demand jobs to address the national labor shortage that continues to plague our economy. The presenter emphasizes the role of employment specialists and disability advocates as part of the human resource pipeline, and as experts who help employers understand the benefits of hiring and retaining workers with disabilities.
On the Supply Side: A 20-Step Career Development Approach to Job Placement Pt. 1
On the Supply Side: A 20-Step Career Development Approach to Job Placement Pt. 2
This presentation casts best practices in job development and placement within a career development framework that begins in early childhood. The presenter will describe a process for helping people start or restart their careers that was validated in a statewide workforce development project in Kentucky. Modern technology related to vocational interest assessment and labor market analysis is featured.
Ask JAN Webinar
The Job Accommodation Network (JAN) operates a massive website with a variety of features that can be of tremendous help to service providers. This presentation will cover searching for products, navigating the accommodation process, and the website’s latest feature—Situations & Solutions.
The Job Accommodation Network (JAN) operates a massive website with a variety of features that can be of tremendous help to service providers. This presentation will cover searching for products, navigating the accommodation process, and the website’s latest feature—Situations & Solutions.
Social Security Benefits Webinar - Adults
This engaging training addresses common misconceptions in working with adults with disabilities.
This engaging training addresses common misconceptions in working with adults with disabilities.
Social Security Benefits Webinar - Youth
This engaging training addresses common misconceptions in working with youth with disabilities.
This engaging training addresses common misconceptions in working with youth with disabilities.
Employment Services Who Have Justice System Involvement Webinar
This virtual training focuses on the high rate of justice system involvement among members of the disability community, and it provides strategies for employment specialists and other professionals who work with people with disabilities to overcome career obstacles posed by their criminal records.
This virtual training focuses on the high rate of justice system involvement among members of the disability community, and it provides strategies for employment specialists and other professionals who work with people with disabilities to overcome career obstacles posed by their criminal records.
ABLE Training Video
As of 2024, SSI recipients face stricter limits on countable resources, restricting savings potential. In collaboration with the National ABLE Organization, we explored how ABLE accounts can help individuals with disabilities save money, cover disability-related expenses, and build greater financial independence. Watch the recorded session now to learn how ABLE accounts can empower your financial future.
As of 2024, SSI recipients face stricter limits on countable resources, restricting savings potential. In collaboration with the National ABLE Organization, we explored how ABLE accounts can help individuals with disabilities save money, cover disability-related expenses, and build greater financial independence. Watch the recorded session now to learn how ABLE accounts can empower your financial future.
Nine Major Threats to Competitive Integrated Employment
This resource is a webinar by Dr. Paul Wehman where he discusses the Nine Major Threats to Competitive Integrated Employment. These are incredibly helpful tips for anyone that is providing employment services to people with disabilities.
This resource is a webinar by Dr. Paul Wehman where he discusses the Nine Major Threats to Competitive Integrated Employment. These are incredibly helpful tips for anyone that is providing employment services to people with disabilities.
Funding Pathways to Work Part 1
Funding Pathways to Work Part 2
This session will explore how to braid Texas Workforce Commission/ Vocational Rehabilitation Services (TWC/VRS) with HHSC Waiver funding to expand employment opportunities for individuals with disabilities. Participants will learn practical strategies for implementing funding streams, avoiding service duplication, and building collaborative partnerships that maximize resources. Real-world examples will highlight how braided funding supports individuals in achieving Competitive Integrated Employment while promoting sustainability and long-term success.
Ethical Considerations in the Provision of Supported and Customized Employment Services
This training is geared for employment specialists and professionals working with the disability community. This session will focus on ethics involved in employment services. The training will discuss how ethics are different than values or morals as well as describe how rehabilitation professionals are accountable to uphold ethical standards. The training will also examine commonly cited ethical considerations that apply to the provision of supported and customized employment services.
This training is geared for employment specialists and professionals working with the disability community. This session will focus on ethics involved in employment services. The training will discuss how ethics are different than values or morals as well as describe how rehabilitation professionals are accountable to uphold ethical standards. The training will also examine commonly cited ethical considerations that apply to the provision of supported and customized employment services.
The Hows and Whys of Conducting a Labor Market Analysis
This training by Dr. DJ Hendricks from West Virginia University will demonstrate how to generate a labor market analysis with O*NET and then use the results to improve employment outcomes.
This training by Dr. DJ Hendricks from West Virginia University will demonstrate how to generate a labor market analysis with O*NET and then use the results to improve employment outcomes.
Employment of People with Disabilities: A Historical Perspective
This training, presented by Dr. Linda Holloway and titled ‘Employment of People with Disabilities: A Historical Perspective,’ explores the value of work, the current employment landscape, and the historical foundations and federal legislation that have helped expand employment opportunities for people with disabilities.
This training, presented by Dr. Linda Holloway and titled ‘Employment of People with Disabilities: A Historical Perspective,’ explores the value of work, the current employment landscape, and the historical foundations and federal legislation that have helped expand employment opportunities for people with disabilities.
Respectful, Inclusive Practices & Natural Supports for Disability Employment
Creating effective workplaces requires more than good intentions; it relies on practical knowledge, respectful communication, and strong support systems. This webinar explores everyday social graces, clear and supportive communication practices, and practical ways natural supports can be built into the workplace to support positive employment outcomes for individuals with disabilities.
Creating effective workplaces requires more than good intentions; it relies on practical knowledge, respectful communication, and strong support systems. This webinar explores everyday social graces, clear and supportive communication practices, and practical ways natural supports can be built into the workplace to support positive employment outcomes for individuals with disabilities.
Supported Employment Best Practices Pt. 1
Supported Employment Best Practices Pt. 2
This webinar explores best practices that guide employment professionals in delivering high-quality, person-centered services. Participants will examine how an Employment First mindset shapes discovery, planning meetings, and job development by focusing on individual strengths, interests, and employment conditions. The training highlights effective employer engagement, including preparation, relationship building, communicating supports, and following through. Learners will review pre-placement activities such as non-traditional interviews, onboarding, applications, and preparing for the first day. The webinar also introduces job coaching strategies that presume independence, build on success, enhance company training, and encourage flexibility and creativity. Finally, participants will learn how to fade support gradually, prioritize communication, and leverage natural supports to promote long-term success for both the employee and the employer.
Augmentative & Alternative Communication: Pt. 1
Augmentative & Alternative Communication: Pt. 2
Augmentative & Alternative Communication: Pt. 3
Strong employment outcomes depend on more than job skills. People must be able to communicate needs, understand expectations, and connect with others at work. This webinar introduces the fundamentals of Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC) and helps employment professionals recognize when a customer may benefit from added communication supports, including everyday options such as icons, gestures, text, visual schedules, communication boards, and speech-generating apps. Participants will learn how communication gaps can appear on the job, including reliance on yes or no responses, refusal or withdrawal, missed opportunities for social participation, and safety or self-advocacy barriers. The session also introduces the SET Framework (Someone, Environment, Task, Tools) to guide support decisions based on the individual, the workplace context, job demands, and best-fit tools. Realistic expectations are emphasized, including the understanding that AAC is not a quick fix and that successful outcomes require training and support for both the AAC user and workplace communication partners. Here you can find a link to the presentation and resources.
Journey from Sheltered Workshop to Advocacy Professional
This webinar shares the lived employment journey of self-advocate James Meadours and highlights how meaningful employment can emerge when individuals are supported to pursue their potential rather than limited by low expectations. James reflects on his early placement in a sheltered workshop, the turning points that led him into supported employment, and the role that allies played in helping him persist through setbacks. Participants will hear how James’s determination and strong work ethic challenged assumptions about the abilities of people with disabilities, including his experience mentoring and training another employee with a disability. His path eventually led to volunteer and paid advocacy roles that continue today, including work in national policy advising and professional training. Through James’s story, the webinar encourages employment professionals to reflect on how their decisions, language, and expectations can influence whether individuals remain in segregated pathways or move toward competitive integrated employment and leadership opportunities.
This webinar shares the lived employment journey of self-advocate James Meadours and highlights how meaningful employment can emerge when individuals are supported to pursue their potential rather than limited by low expectations. James reflects on his early placement in a sheltered workshop, the turning points that led him into supported employment, and the role that allies played in helping him persist through setbacks. Participants will hear how James’s determination and strong work ethic challenged assumptions about the abilities of people with disabilities, including his experience mentoring and training another employee with a disability. His path eventually led to volunteer and paid advocacy roles that continue today, including work in national policy advising and professional training. Through James’s story, the webinar encourages employment professionals to reflect on how their decisions, language, and expectations can influence whether individuals remain in segregated pathways or move toward competitive integrated employment and leadership opportunities.
Self-Determination, Supported Decision-Making & Guardianship Alternatives
Jeff Miller, J.D., of Disability Rights Texas, presents an informative training on self-determination, supported decision-making, and alternatives to guardianship. Supported decision-making is a person-centered process that allows adults with disabilities to receive help understanding information, weighing options, communicating choices, and making life decisions while maintaining their rights, autonomy, and control. During this session, participants will explore the rules, implications, and practical uses of different decision-making supports, with an emphasis on identifying the least restrictive options available. The training will highlight the importance of preserving choice, dignity of risk, independence, and self-reliance for individuals with disabilities. Participants will also learn about supported decision-making agreements and how these tools can be used to promote meaningful participation in decisions related to daily life, services, education, employment, health care, and other important areas.
Jeff Miller, J.D., of Disability Rights Texas, presents an informative training on self-determination, supported decision-making, and alternatives to guardianship. Supported decision-making is a person-centered process that allows adults with disabilities to receive help understanding information, weighing options, communicating choices, and making life decisions while maintaining their rights, autonomy, and control. During this session, participants will explore the rules, implications, and practical uses of different decision-making supports, with an emphasis on identifying the least restrictive options available. The training will highlight the importance of preserving choice, dignity of risk, independence, and self-reliance for individuals with disabilities. Participants will also learn about supported decision-making agreements and how these tools can be used to promote meaningful participation in decisions related to daily life, services, education, employment, health care, and other important areas.
Transforming Care: Applying Trauma-Informed Principles in State Supported Living Centers
This presentation will explore how trauma-informed care (TIC) principles can be effectively implemented by staff working in State Supported Living Centers (SSLCs). This presentation will focus on the impact of trauma on individuals with disabilities, and how these behaviors manifest psychologically, socially, and physiologically. The session will focus on the unique needs of residents with intellectual and developmental disabilities, we will discuss strategies to recognize and respond to the impact of trauma in ways that promote safety, trust, and empowerment. Key topics will include creating trauma-sensitive environments, building positive relationships, offering choice and autonomy, and preventing re-traumatization. Participants will learn practical tools to integrate TIC into practice, enhance communication with residents, and collaborate with multidisciplinary teams to support healing and well-being. This session aims to provide staff with the knowledge and skills needed to foster a compassionate, supportive, and trauma-sensitive care model that benefits both residents and caregivers.