Inside this edition:
 Jeffrey Cartmell, director of Oklahoma Human Services, gave the welcoming remarks at the event.
Oklahomans honored at 2024 Governor's Disability Awards
Oklahomans with disabilities, supportive companies and staff were honored Oct. 17 during the 37th annual Governor’s Disability Employment Awards of Excellence in the Phillips Pavilion at the Governor’s Mansion in Oklahoma City.
Jeffrey Cartmell, director of Oklahoma Human Services, gave the welcoming remarks, applauding the work of the award winners. Closing remarks were delivered by DRS Executive Director Melinda Fruendt; Beth Scrutchins, director of Development Disability Services within Oklahoma Human Services; Jenifer Randle, director of the Developmental Disabilities Council of Oklahoma and Judi Goldston, president of the Oklahoma Association of People Supporting Employment First.
Those honored included:
Employee Awards
- Griffin Frederick, of Broken Arrow, who has excelled while working at the Tulsa Zoo and dreaming one day of being an elephant keeper. He started by picking up trash at the zoo and now has progressed to helping setup events, taking down tables and helping clean the facility. He now cleans the public areas of the elephant barn.
- Joshua Fuson, of Broken Arrow, who has worked at Walmart since 2019. He started as a cart pusher but now has grown into the role of sweeping and stocking shelves as needed. His hard work earned him an Employee of the Month honor in 2021.
- Troy Gordon, of Vinita, has overcome numerous obstacles in his life, learning to advocate for himself. He wanted to work in his community and applied to McDonalds. He got the job in 2023 and now works 30 hours per week.
- Kailey Gregory, of Pryor, has worked for Taher Food Services that serves Pryor Public School. She got the job in November. She struggled in the job initially but soon caught on, demonstrating a strong work ethic. She now takes on many tasks including dishwashing, pizza making, serving on the lunch line and food preparation.
- Richard Josefchuk, of Tulsa, has been employed with EBSCO Spring Company since November. He started as a janitor but has now also trained in preparation. He is saving his money to go to school to become a BASF conductor, which is a crew member of a train.
- Macy McSpadden, of Claremore, has worked at Verdigris Public Schools as aide since August 2023. She has learned the students’ names which feel a sense of connection while on campus.
- Ethan Minton, of Claremore, is an athlete, representing Oklahoma at the nationals for the Special Olympics. He won the gold in the 100-meter butterfly. He has worked at J. Farley’s restaurant since May 2021. He started as a janitor but now does many tasks. He recently got a raise in pay and has received several employee recognitions awards.
- Josh Phillips, of Grove, has overcome many challenges in his life but did not let them stop him. He learned to set goals and being independent was one of them. He has worked at Walmart as a cart pusher since 2021. He now works 40 hours per week and receives full benefits. He no longer depends on Social Security.
- Jamie Wheeler, of Woodward, has worked in dog grooming for many years. She and her mother opened their own dog grooming business called Hippie Hounds. Her work has helped her grow self confidence and her ability to speak to anyone.
- Evan Williams, of Tulsa, has been employed at ABM as a wheelchair agent at Tulsa International Airport since August 2023. He takes his responsibilities of assisting travelers to-and-from their gates in a timely manner.
Business Award winners
- Aall Care Home Health, of Tulsa, has been a great partner in hiring people receiving DRS services and work with The Bridges Foundation to ensure they have the support they need to succeed. The company’s attention and dedication to its workers makes it a standout.
- Braum’s, of Purcell, has employed Scotty Burns since March 2021. His supervisor has gone the extra mile to see that he feels comfortable and has the support he needs. Their working relationship exemplifies mutual respect and understanding.
- Crossed Arrow Fiber Mill, of Duncan, approached Thinkability about hiring a person receiving their services. The company has an inclusive culture that accommodates different needs and celebrates employee accomplishments.
- J. Farley’s Restaurant, of Claremore, has supported Ethan Minton both at work and in pursuit of his Special Olympic dreams. The restaurant has become a sponsor and host of the Polar Plunge, which is held to raise money for Special Olympics. The staff held fundraisers to assist the swimmer in going to the Special Olympics.
- Opolis Clothing, of Norman, was honored for providing an open and unbiased workplace and providing accommodations to those who need them to complete their job duties.
- Taher Food Service, of Pryor, was honored for accommodating staff and assisting them in being successful and independent.
- Tulsa Zoo was honored for its commitment and to training their employees, regarding Griffin Frederick’s specific needs. From day one, he was welcomed on the job, and staff developed a video for him about how to use a two-way radio. They arranged for him to meet the elephant keeper and discussed with Frederick’s his desire to one-day become an elephant trainer.
- Verdigris Public Schools was honored for making a place for Macy McSpadden where she started as an office aid but also now does filing and checking for breakfast passes.
Support Staff Award winners
- Libby Allan, of Rise Staffing in Tulsa, was honored for her dedication to getting Griffin Frederick into a successful job. Allan assisted him to not only devise strategies to help with physical skills, but also how to manage all other things that go into working, like managing responses to loud noises.
- Brittany Glover, The Opportunity Center in Ponca City, was honored for providing job coaching and being a dedicated advocate for her clients. Her supervisor describes her as being able to listen with a kind heart and help people through challenges they face.
- Laura Hatfield, of The Bridges Foundation in Jenks, was honored for making a positive impact on many people who are now part of the Oklahoma workforce. Hatfield is dedicated to working with people with employment barriers and helping them succeed.
The awards were sponsored by the Officer of the Governor, Oklahoma Human Services Developmental Disabilities Services, Oklahoma Department of Rehabilitation Services, the Developmental Disabilities Council of Oklahoma and Oklahoma Association of People Supporting Employment First.
Photos from the event.
Users and supporters celebrate White Cane Safety Day 2024 in downtown Tulsa
TULSA – White cane users with visual disabilities and sighted supporters rallied Oct. 15 in a downtown park to mark White Cane Safety Day 2024.
White Cane Safety Day was first established by presidential proclamation in 1964. The first white cane laws were drafted around that time. Today, similar laws exist in all 50 states and in the District of Columbia.
Proclamations from Oklahoma Gov. Kevin Stitt and Tulsa Mayor G.T. Bynum were read, marking the importance of the day.
Participants using white canes and dog guides then walked through downtown.
Oklahoma law requires drivers to completely stop their vehicles 15 feet away from pedestrians who are visually impaired and identified by their use of white canes with red tips or dog guides. People who violate this law are guilty of a misdemeanor punishable by imprisonment for up to three months or $100 fine or both.
Oklahoma law also stipulates that only blind people may carry white canes with or without red tips, which are internationally recognized as mobility aids for people with vision impairments.
Photos from the event are available.
Early voting, precinct workers are there to make voting easier for Oklahomans with disabilities
DRS’ Charles Watt answers three questions about how Oklahomans with disabilities can smooth their path and lower their stress when voting in this November’s general election.
Watt’s advice is simple – be prepared.
Important voting dates to remember
General election date
November 5
Polls open at 7 a.m. and close at 7 p.m.
Voters who are in line when polls close will be able to cast ballots.
County election board early voting dates and hours
(Additional early voting options may be available in your county. Contact your county election board.)
Oct. 30 to Nov. 1
8 a.m. – 6 p.m.
Nov. 2
8 a.m. – 2 p.m.
 Dinner attendees enjoy a fundraising plate of spaghetti at OSB.
Spaghetti dinner raises money for OSB
MUSKOGEE – Spaghetti and meatballs were served up Oct. 15, when the Oklahoma School for the Blind partnered with Muskogee Masonic Lodge #28 A.F. & A.M. to host the annual fundraiser.
The public event was held at OSB campus in the new gym.
OSB’s award-winning Jazz Band entertained attendees.
OSB staff organized a gift basket silent auction and a dessert auction.
Photos from the event.
 Cammeron Brice holding his longevity certificate flanked by (from left) Commissioners Janet Barresi, Theresa Flannery and Kelsey Lee.
Direct Care Specialist Cammeron Brice - 35 years at OSB
Cammeron Brice has a long history at OSB. He attended OSB from 1970 until the end of his 7th grade year in 1978. He came back to OSB in August 1989 to work as a direct care specialist.
He was promoted from a DCS I to a DCS II after just one year. In 2000, he was promoted again to a DCS III supervisor. He has supervised a variety of shifts through the years. In addition to his DCS supervisory role, he was also the assistant wrestling coach for over 20 years.
During wrestling matches at OSB when he wasn’t directly coaching, he was providing play-by-play announcing for our students to be able to fully able to enjoy the matches. Brice supervises the DCS day shifts, including assigning substitutes and teacher aides for classrooms and assisting in transportation and work study.
 Sherry Holder holds her longevity certificate flanked by (from left) Commissioners Janet Barresi, Theresa Flannery and Kelsey Lee.
Outreach Coordinator Sherry Holder - 30 years at OSB
Sherry Holder has worked at the Oklahoma School for the Blind since 1994. Her first teaching assignments were preschool classes from birth to age 7 for children with multiple disabilities. She also taught math and history classes to special needs students.
Holder has worked as Outreach Coordinator since 2000. As an outreach coordinator, she traveled across the state, visiting thousands of schools and has served many more students.
She evaluates students and advises their teachers on how to provide the best services for their students. She has contracted with the Veteran’s Administration as an Orientation & Mobility (O&M) instructor.
Holder also volunteers much of her free time to teach O&M to the needy in the Muskogee area. She has a master's degree in education from Stephen F. Austin State University, Nacogdoches, Texas, and a master’s of science degree in Orientation and Mobility from Salus University, Elkins Park, Penn.
Holder is working towards her National Library Services Braille Transcriber certification. She has been a teacher for the Oklahoma Vision Teacher Institute for many years, providing instruction for teachers pursuing their visually impaired teacher certification.
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