- Goodwill Houston and CompuCycle’s Tech Recycle have partnered to offer 12 weeks of paid, hands-on workforce training for students ages 18 to 22 with disabilities.
- School districts provide retired electronics that undergo certified data destruction before becoming training materials, at no cost to districts.
- Goodwill Houston funds student paychecks separately from the value CompuCycle returns to districts through electronics recycling.
A practical pathway
Goodwill Houston and CompuCycle have launched Tech Recycle, turning retired school electronics into paid training for students with disabilities. The 12-week program offers hands-on learning at no cost.
Tech Recycle helps transition-age students, including students on the autism spectrum, build skills for future employment. Students work with electronics after the devices undergo certified data destruction. The training gives participants experience they can add to their resumes.“We have run into so many students who have a passion for telling you how things work and taking them apart,” said Vernee Sampson, senior manager of vocational rehabilitation programs at Goodwill Houston.
How devices become opportunities
School districts send retired electronics to CompuCycle for certified data destruction. Districts receive audit-ready documentation before wiped devices move to Goodwill Houston for instruction.
CompuCycle recycles scrap materials at its 130,000-square-foot Houston facility and returns the value of recovered materials to districts.For districts, the arrangement is a recycling transaction, not a donation. Goodwill Houston funds student paychecks separately from the value returned to schools.
From classroom to community
Tech Recycle grew from TechCycle, which CompuCycle launched with Pearland ISD with seed funding from Texas A&M. Goodwill Houston now runs the expanded training program. School districts interested in participating can contact Goodwill Houston, while organizations with retired electronics can work through CompuCycle.“ Most arrive assuming that they can’t do this or this isn’t for them, but we want them to walk away believing that they can do it,” said Alicia Franklin, a career coach and Tech Recycle instructor.
The bigger question
These resources offer additional places to look beyond the Houston partnership for employment support, training information and college options. What else can we do to help people with disabilities pursue education and meaningful work?
The stats
- 22.8% of people with disabilities were employed in 2025. bls
- The unemployment rate for people with disabilities was 8.3%. bls
- About 30% of employed people with disabilities usually worked part time. bls
Additional resources
National resources offer additional starting points. Some connect people with employment services. Others help users explore training or educational opportunities.
- Ticket to Work: Free, voluntary employment support for eligible Social Security disability beneficiaries ages 18 through 64.
- State Vocational Rehabilitation: Agencies can provide training, education support and employment assistance.
- American Job Centers: Centers offer career counseling, job listings and training referrals.
- CareerOneStop Workers with Disabilities: This resource connects job seekers with disability-focused employment information.
- Think College: Its national directory helps students with intellectual disabilities explore inclusive college programs.
