Your April 14th Email Digest of Good Stuff & Opportunities Is Here!

Developmental Disbilities Council of Oklahoma Digest of Good Stuff and Opportunities

This is a weekly digest of opportunities shared with us by partners across Oklahoma and the nation, including other State Developmental Disabilities Councils, the National Association of Councils on Developmental Disabilities (NACDD), Administration for Community Living (ACL), and our DD Network Partners. If you have questions about any of the opportunities listed, email us anytime.

Please share these opportunities with others who could benefit. And if you're too busy to read everything today, that's okay. Just stay tuned for next week's email and stay connected.

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Policy Updates

Oklahoma Legislative session updates ⚖️📜🏛️

April 23, 2026 - Deadline to report House measures from Senate committees

May 7, 2026 - Deadline for third reading in the Opposite House of Origin.

• House Bills & Resolutions should be read a third time in the Senate;
• Senate Bills & Resolutions should be read a third time in the House.

May 29, 2026 - Last day of the Legislative Session

What does this mean to you?

We’re in the final stretch of session. Bills that already passed in their first chamber are now being heard in the other chamber. That means:

• House bills that got a “yes” vote are now being heard in the Senate.

• Senate bills that got a “yes” vote are now being heard in the House.

Every bill still alive has to be heard in committee and voted on by the full House or Senate by May 7. If that doesn’t happen, the bill is considered dead for the year.

This is the part of session where things move quickly and schedules can change with very little notice. If there’s a bill you care about, now is the time to speak up. A short email or phone call to your legislator can make a real difference, especially in these final weeks. Your voice does matter!

Online and In-person Training Opportunities

ONLINE💻 Using Charting the LifeCourse to Plan for waiver services, April 15 

Join the Center for Learning and Leadership, UCEDD, the Oklahoma Family Network, and Disability Rights Oklahoma online to learn how to use Charting the LifeCourse to prepare for waiver services. Participants will learn about Charting the LifeCourse and how these tools support planning for long‑term services and waivers.

Register to attend online Wednesday, April 15, 12:00 p.m.

When registering, make sure to use the email address you used in creating your Zoom account. 

ONLINE 💻Home Accessibility for Successful Parenting, April 17

‘By the book’ home modifications are often expensive and time-consuming. Disabled people often make changes to their homes that are innovative, cost-effective, and realistic for their budget and disability-specific needs. In this webinar, parents with a variety of disabilities will talk about what strategies and alterations they’ve adopted to make their home functional and accessible, creating a space to be successful parents.

When: April 17, 1:00 p.m. CT

Register online.

ONLINE💻 Promoting brain health across the lifespan for individuals with Down syndrome, April 21

The HealthMatters Program, UIC, and the National Down Syndrome Society (NDSS) are partnering to co-host a webinar focused on promoting brain health across the lifespan for individuals with Down syndrome on April 21, 12pm-1pm CT. 

Promoting brain health for individuals with Down syndrome requires a proactive, lifespan approach that extends beyond a sole focus on dementia. In this webinar, Dr. Brian Chicoine, Medical Director at the Advocate Medical Group Adult Down Syndrome Center, will guide participants through ways to maintain brain health throughout life, emphasizing health promotion, strengths-based care, and the importance of supporting cognitive well-being. Participants will examine common misconceptions about brain health in individuals with Down syndrome and understand why brain health conversations should begin early and continue across the lifespan.

Designed for community-based service providers, healthcare professionals, and others who support individuals with Down syndrome, this session will highlight practical, evidence-based strategies that can be incorporated into daily routines to promote lifelong brain health as well as resources available through the NDSS.

REGISTER for this webinar!

ONLINE💻 Learn about Self-Directed Services, April 22 

Join the Center for Learning and Leadership, UCEDD and Disability Rights Oklahoma online to learn more about Self-Directed Services (SDS). Learn how families have used SDS for long-term support. This training is created to help you decide if you want to choose SDS when the opportunity arises.

Choose from 2 online (using Zoom) opportunities to attend:

• Register to attend online on April 22, 2026, 12:00 p.m.
• Register to attend online on April 22, 2026, 6:00 p.m.

When registering, make sure to use the email address you used in creating your Zoom account. 

Youth and Teen Virtual Advocacy Day

Rare Disease Legislative Advocates (RDLA) invites members of the rare disease community between 10 and 18 years old to participate in our second Virtual Youth & Teen Advocacy Day. Advocates will have the opportunity to virtually meet with their Members of Congress and share their rare disease story. Prior to meetings with Members of Congress, advocates will attend virtual trainings on how Congress creates laws, how to communicate with your Representatives and Senators, and how to understand key policies affecting the rare disease community, designed for youth and teens.

Anyone between the ages of 10 and 18 with a connection to the rare disease community is welcome to participate, as well as their parents or guardians.

Learn more and register online. Registration begins April 27, 2026! 

ONLINE 💻  Webinar on Reframing Dementia Support and Education to Focus on Strengths and Resilience, April 29

The National Alzheimer’s and Dementia Resource Center (NADRC) is hosting “Can Do! Reframing Dementia Support and Education to Focus on Strengths and Resilience,” a webinar on a strengths-based group support model for people living with dementia and caregivers.

Living well with dementia is deeply influenced by the mindsets of both people living with dementia and their caregivers. Learning to Live with Dementia is a new support and education program model that combines a structured series of brief lessons with facilitated group sessions designed for people living with dementia and for caregivers to reflect on and share their experiences.

This innovative approach promotes a shift in perspective — focusing on what people can do to live well with dementia and providing practical strategies to support that goal. In this webinar, participants will learn about this strengths-based support and education program, hear inspirational stories, and gain new perspectives designed to reframe both the dementia journey and the caregiving experience. Participants will also be introduced to the Learning to Live with Dementia Facilitator Toolkit, a resource developed to strengthen facilitator skills, confidence, and capacity to deliver structured, group-based education and engagement.

Register to attend on Wednesday, April 29, 1:00-2:00 p.m. CT.

ONLINE💻 Long-term planning Financial and Employment Options, April 30 

Join the Center for Learning and Leadership, UCEDD and Disability Rights Oklahoma for an online training on long‑term planning. The session will cover ways to protect long‑term supports and benefits, including waiver services and options for saving beyond Medicaid asset limits. You will also learn about community integrated employment options such as Ticket to Work and financial tools like ABLE accounts. This training is for anyone planning for their own future or supporting a family member.

Register to attend online (using Zoom) on Thursday, April 30, 12:00 p.m.

When registering, make sure to use the email address you used in creating your Zoom account. 

ONLINE💻Writing Meaningful Individual Plans (IPs), May 6 

Join the Center for Learning and Leadership, UCEDD and Disabilities Rights Oklahoma online to learn more about writing Individual Plans (IP) for waiver services. In this training, you will learn how to be a part of writing your IP. They will cover some basics and help you understand setting measurable goals. Registration is required.

Register to attend online on Wednesday, May 6, 12:00 p.m.

When registering, make sure to use the email address you used in creating your Zoom account. 

ONLINE🖥️Oklahoma Self-Advocacy Solutions Webinar Opportunities 

If you’re a self‑advocate, person with a disability, family member, or professional wanting to build confidence in speaking up, join our trainers Friday afternoons or arrange your own training! Learn from real, lived experiences. 

"I think it is really important to be a voice for the disability community, because it is our community and our job as advocates to be role models, and to show and express the true value of having a fulfilling life and contributing to society," Bryce Wooten, Self-Advocacy Trainer.

To schedule a training for your group, email Morgan Davis.

What's new

The Weekly Wiggle with Meske 👀🏃

The Weekly Wiggle features simple, low- cost sensory tools to help with connection, regulation and participation. Meske is a single mom raising kids with different abilities. She's also a Certified Protective Factors Trainer, Speaker and Family Systems Consultant!

It is our hope that the Weekly Wiggle will help people of all ages build calm confidence and connection in everyday environments! 

Learn how to make a textured pathway this week!

Where The Ramp Ends👀👂

Have you checked out the podcast "Where The Ramp Ends" yet? Oklahoma Partners in Policymaking graduates Summer Parrish and Bryce Wooten have paired up to create an incredible series that dives into disability topics across the lifespan with folks like Guy Caruso, Al Condeluci, Michael Beers, Bobby Kern, Jill Jacobs, and more!

Use their linktr.ee to find out where to listen! Don't miss out! 👀

Look Out! Art Opportunity🎨

AutismOklahoma and the Council are looking for Oklahoma‑based visual artists ages 10+ with a developmental disability (DD) who want to showcase their artwork. Selected artists may be featured in art shows, classes, and events. Artists only need to submit an image of their work using the online form. For more information, email Dee or Jennifer Robinson.

Best Buddies Oklahoma  😊

Best Buddies helps students with and without an intellectual and/or a developmental disability (I/DD) build meaningful friendships. If you’re interested in bringing Best Buddies to your school, email Jennifer Robinson for a connection to their staff.

Are you a caregiver and need a break?  🛌🛋️

The Council is a proud partner of Sooner SUCCESS’s Caregiver Retreats, which offer caregivers of people with I/DD a much‑needed break. Retreats are free, and respite vouchers are available.

If you are a caregiver or know someone who is, please complete the Caregiver Retreat Interest Form.

Upcoming Events

YLF 2026 is scheduled for June 9-13! 🧑‍🦽‍➡️🧑‍🤝‍🧑🧑🏽‍🤝‍👩

"As a person that hated the idea of a leadership camp...I can honestly say YLF changed my life for the better! It will change yours, too." - Morgan, YLF Graduate & Council Staff

The 2026 Youth Leadership Forum (YLF) is happening June 9-13! YLF is an opportunity for high school students with a disability to spend a week on a college campus with other students who have a disability, supporting each other in activities designed to help their advocacy skills, think about life after high school, meet with state legislators, and more! Note: YLF is free for selected students. 

Don't delay - get your applications in for this summer's YLF, they're due this month! If you have any questions, email Brad!   

Oklahoma Miss Amazing AMPLIFY is this week! 🧑‍🦽‍➡️🧑‍🤝‍🧑🧑🏽‍🤝‍👩

Miss Amazing's biggest event of the year brings together girls and women with disabilities (ages 5+) for a one‑day celebration of confidence, storytelling, and self‑advocacy. Participants shine on stage through three skill areas: Interview, Passion Presentation, and Introduction and are supported every step of the way by a Miss Amazing Buddy. Throughout the day, they’ll rehearse, enjoy hair and makeup pampering, and prepare for the Final Show, where every participant is honored and our new queens are announced.

Girls and women ages 5 and older who have an IEP, IPP, 504 plan, SSI, or a physician’s document proving disability are eligible to participate in Miss Amazing.

• When? Saturday, April 18, 2026, 10:00 p.m. - 5:00 p.m.
• Where? 14343 N MacArthur Blvd, Oklahoma City, OK 73142

All age groups participate: Rising Stars, Pre‑Teen, Junior Teen, Teen, Junior Miss, Miss, Senior Miss, and Mentor.

Learn more about Miss Amazing AMPLIFY! 

And don't forget to join the celebration after the work, from 4:00 - 8:00 p.m. on April 18. For more information about the celebration, check out their Facebook event page. 

Join us at our DD Council Meetings 📄🖥️🧑‍🦽‍➡️🧑‍🤝‍🧑🧑🏽‍🤝‍👩🧑🏽‍🧑‍🧒

Council meetings are open to the public. We welcome self‑advocates, families, professionals, and community partners to listen, learn, and share what matters to you.

Visit our website for meeting schedules and agendas. 

IN-PERSON: Community Conversations at the Capitol! 🗣️👂

Did you know that policymakers are hosting evening events to meet with Oklahomans throughout the Oklahoma Legislative Session?  This is an opportunity for Oklahomans to meet with policymakers for open conversations about policy! You can come to listen to other Oklahomans or come with a 2-3 minute testimony to share! 

Each session is in person from 5:30–7:30 p.m. in Room 535 of the Oklahoma State Capitol - the People's House - in Oklahoma City! 

• April 27 
• June 8

The mission of the Developmental Disabilities Council of Oklahoma is to advance communities where everyone has the opportunity to live, learn, work, and play where they choose. The Council builds partnerships to change systems to improve services, resources, and supports for Oklahomans with developmental disabilities and their families.

https://oklahoma.gov/ddco.html

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