 Oklahoma Gov. Kevin Stitt, center, visited the state office in Oklahoma City on Jan. 9. Pictured from left, Stitt's Chief of Staff Brandon Tatum, Kathi Brown, Stitt, Tommy Hay and DRS Executive Director Melinda Fruendt.
Been seen, wear green
Oklahoma’s People with Disabilities Awareness Day 2024 is just over a month away, and T-shirts are available to order to wear at the event.
Three different T-shirt designs are available in the store. Two designs celebrate PWDAD, and one commemorates DRS’ 30th anniversary as an independent agency.
Remember to register for this year’s event that will bring hundreds of people with disabilities, their families and supporters together. The event will be held on March 5.
To make sure you receive your shirts before the event, the owner of the company producing the shirts recommends customers order before Feb. 20 if receiving by mail. Those picking the shirts up at the store can order as late as March 4.
PWDAD celebrates the commitment and hard work of Oklahomans with disabilities to lead independent lives and pursue careers. DRS staff and their clients are building the state’s workforce stronger. The event also connects clients to vendors who can provide critical services to them.
The 2024 event will be held from noon to 4:30 p.m. at the Oklahoma History Center, 800 Nazih Zuhdi Drive, Oklahoma City. PWDAD is open to the public, and people are encouraged to wear green to show support.
Volunteers are critical to the success of PWDAD, and if you are willing to help, please go ahead and register for the event.
To register to attend or volunteer at PWDAD, go here.
If you have any questions or need help registering, please call us at (405) 951-3478 or email, cmartin@okdrs.gov.
 Administrative Programs Officer Lacey Downs answers a reporter's question.
The Oklahoma Library for the Blind and Physically Handicapped in Oklahoma City was the scene for a Telemundo OKC TV news story about Braille Literacy Month on Jan. 9.
Brush up on your Spanish and check out the story at “Biblioteca para Ciegos y Discapacitados Físicos en Oklahoma,” which means “Library for the Blind and Physically Handicapped in Oklahoma” in English.
Administrative Programs Officer Lacey Downs, who produces Braille for the Library in addition to other duties, worked with OLBPH Public Information Officer Kailyn Evans to prepare Braille literacy talking points.
OLBPH Programs Manager Kevin Treese and Evans welcomed the Telemundo videographer Odon Montoya to the Library.
Lacey represented Services for the Blind and Visually Impaired with outstanding responses to questions about the benefits of learning Braille, the life of Louis Braille and the Library’s services for Braille users.
During her lunch hour, bilingual Business Services Representative Meryln Romero, listened carefully so she could translate Lacey’s information into Spanish, which is Telemundo viewers’ preferred language.
Telemundo reporter Daschel Chavez appeared on camera and produced a story at the station. It was a longer story because DRS had an interpreter. If we did not, Telemundo would have dubbed over English remarks with an off camera Spanish translation and DRS would not have been able to control delivery of Lacey’s content.
According to the U.S. Census, 11.2% or 444,000 Oklahomans speak Spanish. Half report that they speak and understand English well.
Here are some of the new people you may meet soon at an upcoming event. Take some time to welcome the following to their new positions and see who's retired.
New hires or new jobs:
MSD – Commission Administrative Assistant Kathleen Arrieta began the new job on Dec. 1.
OSB – Materiel Management Officer Howard Ashwood began the new job on Dec. 1.
OSB – Direct Care Specialist Lacey Moran began the new job on Dec. 4.
OSD – Fleet Specialist Shane Ramsey began the new job on Dec. 1.
OSD – Construction/Maintenance Tech Aaron Kellner began the new job on Dec. 4.
VR – Vocational Rehabilitation Specialist Lieux’Rita Green began the new job on Dec. 4.
VR – Vocational Rehabilitation Specialist Tina Shumway began the new job on Dec. 1.
VR – Vocational Rehabilitation Specialist Tricia Burks began the new job on Dec. 18.
SBVI – Rehabilitation Technician Kimberly Veron began the new job on Dec. 1.
Taken from submitted DRS Client Success story
Tulsa’s Zack Marley had a disability and sought help from DRS to build a bridge to an independent future.
DRS services Manley received included telecommunications and adaptive equipment, dress clothing for job interviews, training, job readiness training, and counseling and guidance.
“Before DRS helped me out, I was working in a warehouse, pulling parts to fill orders,” Marley wrote. “I was not making much money and was unable to support my family. I had heard about DRS from a friend who had used their services and was very successful and had become a counselor. I decided to fill out the paperwork to see if I qualified, and I did.”
Marley got support to pursue his dream of obtaining a law degree. Now, he works as an assistant district attorney.
“There is simply no way I would have got to where I am today without the help of DRS,” he wrote. “It literally changed my life, and I am forever grateful.”
DRS staff have access to resources to help them be more effective when working with clients or meeting with community members
All DRS videos with accessible formats are on the DRS website.
https://oklahoma.gov/okdrs/information/promo/info-vids.html.
We also have an agency presentation with videos embedded: https://www.okdrs.gov/impress#/node-7269.
This presentation gets updated every year when the annual report comes out in the spring. You can skip videos or sections of this presentation that you don’t want to use.
Here’s the accessible version of that presentation:
https://www.okdrs.gov/slides/accessible
You can find our publications, media releases, public service announcements, videos, annual reports, office directory and more under the “Info” tab on the website:
https://oklahoma.gov/okdrs/information/about-us.html
From the DRS News Archives
Courtesy of The Shawnee News Star
Dated: Jan. 10, 2017
The Commission for Rehabilitation Services was advised Monday by Noel Tyler, Oklahoma Department of Rehabilitation Services interim director, that waiting lists began at 5 p.m. Monday for all disabled new applicants for vocational rehabilitation and employment services.
Prior to this action, DRS implemented severe administrative cost-cutting actions beginning in September 2015 to limit personnel actions, equipment purchases and travel.
The agency has worked to delay the impacts of state funding shortages on job-seekers and students with disabilities.
During the 2016 legislative session, DRS shared in the State’s revenue woes and received a 4.61 percent reduction of $1.3 million in state funding. The loss in state revenue was compounded by a four to one loss of associated federal match funds totaling $4.9 million dollars for the Vocational Rehabilitation Program.
.
This edition's question:
What has a heart that doesn’t beat?
Answer:
???
Last edition's question:
I can be cracked, made, told, and played. What am I?
Answer:
a joke
Those getting right included:
1. Michael Lee
2. Kristy O’Neal-Nelms
3. Renee Skocdopole
4. Julie Bailey
5. Dayna Jarman
6. Marka Simms
7. Tammy Randles
8. Laura Prater
|
