Wise Online Academy (WOA) 100 Series

This session explores how expectations shape meaningful employment outcomes. Participants will learn how low expectations limit opportunities and how to set and communicate high expectations during discovery and exploration. We will examine the role of strong support networks, reflect on personal beliefs that influence job development, and practice strategies—such as natural supports, fading, and assistive technology—to promote inclusion and long-term success.

In this session, participants will hear directly about the journeys of individuals with disabilities as they build success in Competitive Integrated Employment (CIE) and Community Inclusion (CI). Members of each person’s support network—employers, natural supports, and direct support professionals—will share their experiences, offering a holistic view of how inclusion enriches a person’s life. Participants will walk away with practical strategies, success factors, and actionable ideas they can bring back to their own work.

Effective services start with clear planning and meaningful measurement. In this webinar, participants will explore how to use logic models to clearly distinguish between inputs, outputs, and outcomes when designing programs and evaluating success. The session will also focus on aligning what is measured and reported to stakeholders with practical accountability systems for the staff delivering services each day. Through discussion and real-world examples, participants will gain tools they can immediately apply to strengthen quality assurance and ensure services are producing the intended results.

As we age, we experience many phases of change over the lifespan; our needs, values, priorities, supports and abilities change. Despite these changes, the desire to preserve our preferred lifestyle remains constant. We will explore tools and strategies to support aging adults to live a meaningful life of their choice. We will discuss the importance of retaining independence and connections within one’s employment and community. We will learn how to adapt goals for successful outcomes throughout the employment continuum.

HR can be much more aligned with disability inclusion than we realize. In this webinar, we’ll highlight the information HR professionals are receiving about disability inclusion & offer real-world strategies for partnering with HR more effectively. We’ll provide job developers practical tips and tools to support inclusive hiring while working with HR to create jobs for people with disabilities.

The lived experience narratives of neurodivergent people often relate to a specific kind of burnout that severely impacts their ability to participate in school, employment, and other social settings. What is this burnout? How does it look? How is it related to semi-clinical phenomena like RSD, and PDA and shame? This presentation will address these questions and provide a framework for helping people with invisible and visible disabilities move past, and avoid, the effects of burnout.

This session introduces an innovative assistive technology solution designed to support independence and inclusion for adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities (ID/DD). In collaboration with the University of Washington Employment Program (UWEP), the Washington Assistive Technology Act Program (WATAP), and WOOF3D, this project uses 3D printing to create customizable, wearable bracelets that provide visual prompts and communication supports.

These bracelets offer a discreet, low-cost alternative to traditional support tools that can be tailored to individual needs. Each bracelet features individualized icons for communication, task sequencing, mindfulness, reminders, etc. – empowering users to express needs nonverbally, follow routines, and manage self-regulation.

The presentation will cover the design and implementation process, including assessing needs, customizing icons, and training for independent use. Real-world case studies will demonstrate applications in daily living and employment contexts. Future directions include expanding access through public 3D printing resources and developing software for easy customization.

The latest technology trends—especially Artificial Intelligence—are powerful tools that can empower people with disabilities by helping them learn new skills and adapt to the rapidly changing workplace.

In this presentation, we will explore the key technology trends of 2025 and demonstrate how they can be used support and empower workers with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD). Learn how to use these tools to foster a more inclusive, innovative, and successful workforce for everyone.

This session will focus on empowering individuals with developmental disabilities to make their own choices and take control of decisions in their lives. It will offer practical strategies, tools, and support to promote self-determination, enabling individuals to lead more independent and fulfilling lives. Throughout the session, we will emphasize the importance of honoring and respecting each person’s voice, perspective, and decisions.

Led by a trainer with lived experience of disability, this interactive training helps professionals learn how to support employees who are aging or experiencing changes in their physical abilities at work. Participants will explore strategies to create inclusive workplaces, adapt supports as needs evolve, and promote opportunities for continued growth. The session highlights practical accommodations, communication approaches, and tools to sustain employment success and dignity for every worker.

This online, instructor-led course helps educators and employment specialists support students and job seekers in building a website portfolio to showcase their strengths, skills, and talents. Attendees will learn practical digital tools to boost digital literacy, support career exploration, and guide people in sharing their story with potential employers. This course is for transition educators, job developers, and others who want to strengthen their technology skills and support career planning in a creative, empowering way. Website portfolios offer a dynamic and accessible tool for job seekers to present their abilities and build confidence in their career journey.

The Recruit, Cultivate and Retain series is designed to support managers in strengthening their leadership and workforce development skills. This training provides practical strategies to improve team satisfaction and retention, support career advancement, and foster a workplace culture of growth and accountability. Topics include effective recruiting, onboarding, conflict management, and leadership development. Attendees will also have opportunities to connect with a network of peers to share insights and strengthen community-wide collaboration.