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YOUTH, PARENTS, TEACHERS, AND COUNSELORS |
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More Summer Fun
Camps, work, and fun all rolled into one! In June and July, students across the state had the opportunity to learn work skills and job readiness skills in a classroom setting for the Building Employment Skills For Today (BEST) program. This learning evolved into work experiences in the community for the Summer Transition Employment Program (STEP). With the help of Oklahoma businesses, Central Oklahoma Workforce Investment Board (COWIB), Southern Workforce Board (SWB), DRS Counselors, Rehabilitation Technicians, Pre-Employment Transition Specialists (Pre-ETS), Work Skills Trainers, and multiple others, these work experiences were a huge success.
This summer's BEST STEP camps fostered learning opportunities for students with disabilities to gain valuable lessons that will help them for the rest of their lives. We recognize the hard work that so many people put into making this summer so successful. For that, we say, "Thank you!" From the business who were STEP employers, and the the professionals working hard at every turn, to the families and to the students themselves – thank YOU for staying committed to the process and for completing yet another successful year of summer programs.
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Summer 2023: Back to School Bash in Tulsa
 The Back to School Bash is a FREE event for children and youth with special needs, disabilities, and all families. Attendees will have access to back packs, school supplies, health and education resources.
This event will take place on August 19, 2023 from 11 am to 2:30pm. At BS Roberts Park/Langston University Tulsa. Spreading Hope Back to School Bash helps families with unique needs and disabilities. The goal is to assist young people throughout Tulsa, Oklahoma with backpacks and school supplies and provide valuable educational information from community vendors and rewarding services to support those families.
Tis event is possible thanks to the dedicated sponsors (listed above), many of which will be at this event.
Address: 914 N. Greenwood Ave.; Tulsa, OK 74106
*Registration opens at 10:30AM on the day of the event
For more information, call: 918-619-6174 or visit www.sicklecelloklahoma.org on the internet.
Fall 2023: Project SEARCH Opportunities
 Project SEARCH is a program that prepares young people with significant disabilities for success in competitive integrated employment. The Project SEARCH Transition-to-Work Program is a unique, business-led, one-year employment preparation program that takes place entirely at the workplace. Total workplace immersion facilitates a seamless combination of classroom instruction, career exploration, and hands-on training through worksite rotations. The program culminates in individualized job development.
In the fall, a new Project SEARCH location will launch in Edmond. Their other nine programs will also be starting with this year’s new interns.
To learn more about Project SEARCH or starting your own program, contact Brandi Hurley at bhurley@ou.edu.
Fall 2023: Oklahoma Transition Institute
 It's time to start planning for Oklahoma Transition Institute. Mark your calendars now! This year, OTI will take place November 14 - 15in Glenpool, OK. The event will take place at the Glenpool Conference Center.
Address: 12205 S Yukon Ave, Glenpool, OK 74033
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Serving and inspiring Oklahoma's students with disabilities is our passion; our purpose. Each month, we hope to highlight a student whose story encourages others.
We have learned that one of the best ways to hear about our most amazing students is from those that spend time with them everyday. So, we encourage family members, education professionals and transition professionals to tell us about students who are doing amazing things.
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How to nominate a Student: If you know a current or former student who has participated in Transition events or who has found success through Transition services, please let us know by submitting this nomination form.
Have you ever wondered what "digital accessibility" means? Do you want to know how to make your documents and web content as accessible as possible? ABLE Tech can help with that!
In partnership with DRS, Oklahoma ABLE Tech created a self-paced accessibility catalog, where you can learn about disability and accessibility. They will add tons of courses over time, so check back often to see what they're up to!
Right now, you can take one foundation course in the Intro to Digital Accessibility track. You can also take several short courses focused on digital accessibility in the Accessible Webpage Design & Content Authoring track.
Have questions or want to let us know how the courses go? Contact ABLE Tech at abt.courses@okstate.edu.
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 Down Syndrome Association of Central Oklahoma
The Down Syndrome Association of Central Oklahoma, Inc. (DSACO) is a 501(c)3 non-profit founded in January 2000 by parents of children with Down syndrome. The purpose of the organization is aligned with its mission which is “raise awareness and provide resources, as well as promote acceptance and inclusion for people with Down syndrome.” They do this through a variety of educational workshops, community awareness campaigns, and workshops for their families, teens, adults, and young children. These include self-advocacy workshops, Kylee’s Kitchen (microwave-based cooking class), support groups, and the NEW Self Advocacy Center.
Their Self-Advocacy Center offers immerging adults, in Central and Western Oklahoma, tools for self-care, self-awareness, social etiquette, getting and keeping a job, finances and budgeting, and much more. We have already initiated this program and started advertising signups for the next year, so the next step is expanding the program to reach more of our community.
For more information on DSACO, please contact:
Sarah Soell
info@dsaco.org
405-600-9981
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Center for Learning and Leadership
The Center for Learning and Leadership (CLL) is Oklahoma's federally recognized University Center for Excellence in Developmental Disabilities, located at the University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center in Oklahoma City. The CLL is designed to provide evidenced based information on best practices for supporting people living with intellectual and/or developmental disabilities and their families. We do this through advocacy, capacity building, and systems change.
They have several products that support individuals making transitions across the life span, whether a transition from early intervention services to preschool or the transition from high school to employment or post high school education. The Guide to Community Services in Oklahoma is available on our website and free to download. Additionally, we have the Employment Supports Indicator, which is a tool to assist with identifying workplace support and accommodations that a person with a disability may have as they seek employment. Visit ouhsc.edu/thecenter to learn more about our projects and to find our publications for download.
Contact Wanda Felty, Assistant Director, wanda-felty@ouhsc.edu or Miranda Hooper, (Community Education Coordinator), Miranda-hooper@ouhsc.edu
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Rachael Laib is an amazing Transition professional. She works primarily as the Project SEARCH Instructor in Moore. She has served in that role since 2017 and she has also worked for many years as a Special Education professional with Moore Public Schools.
Her passion for Special Education began when she was a junior high student who was a Peer Helper for students with disabilities. It was that experience that encouraged her to go to college to become a Special Education Teacher.
After graduating from the University of Central Oklahoma with a bachelor’s in Special Education in 2006, Rachael began her teaching career in Moore as a special educator in a lab setting in a junior high. Southmoore High School was built in 2008. She moved to that school and continued to teach in a lab setting and eventually became a member of the Moore Public Schools Transition Team. She went on to earn a Master's degree and eventually would like to pursue her doctorate in Transition Education.
Rachael has done so much for students with disabilities in Oklahoma over her entire career. She is committed to helping young people fulfill their dreams. We are lucky to have her as part of our team.
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 Rachael Laib
Project SEARCH Instructor
Oklahoma Project SEARCH
ph. 405-412-1040
rachaellaib@mooreschools.com
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Caitlin Mathews is a guest speaker and self-advocate who has a lived experience as a person with a disability. She has found success in life despite the disability-related challenges she has faced. Caitlin has worked for the Choctaw Nation for five years and feels like her journey both personally and professionally are an example of how to succeed in life regardless of one's circumstances.
She served as a guest speaker this summer in our BEST STEP camps where she was able to share her story with students with disabilities.
Caitlin inspired us with a few words, "Disability is not a defining factor. Disability is simply an aspect of what sets you apart from others. It takes individuals who are willing to be brave and resilient in the face of adversity to inspire change and progress in our society. It starts within our community."
She is truly an inspiration and made a huge impact on many students this summer. We are excited to work with Caitlin and look forward to finding more opportunities to connect her with Oklahoma's students with disabilities.
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 Caitlin Matthews
Guest Speaker/Self-Advocate
Choctaw Nation of Oklahoma
cmathews@choctawnation.com
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What is Transition?
The Transition Program provides services to prepare students with disabilities for employment and life after high school. Services may include career counseling, vocational evaluation, work adjustment training, on-the-job training, work-study, and job development and placement. The Vocational Rehabilitation and Services for the Blind and Visually Impaired divisions jointly run the Transition program so the youth can easily move into adult services when it is time.
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We can help create the blueprint for your youth’s success |
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