In this edition:
Celebrating 35 years
 Lt. Gov. Matt Pinnell speaking at an ADA celebration July 24.l
Crowd gathers to celebrate landmark passage of the ADA.
Supporters of the Americans with Disabilities Act gathered July 25 at the Oklahoma History Center to celebrate the 35th anniversary of the signing of the legislation.
Lt. Gov. Matt Pinnell welcomed dozens of people to the celebration, where lawmakers and people with disabilities spoke, saying the fight for civil rights continues despite the passage of the ADA in 1990. It was signed into law on July 26, 1990, by then President George H.W. Bush.
Rep. Ellyn Hefner, D-Oklahoma City, who helped plan the celebration was joined by Pinnell, Oklahoma Historical Society Director Trait Thompson, Nancy Ward, an intellectual disability activist, Rep. Forrest Bennet, D-Oklahoma City, Rep. John Pfieffer, R-Mulhall, Sen. Nikki Nice, D-Oklahoma City and Hannah Kinsey, who has a visual disability.
Prior to the passage of the ADA, Ward advocated for protection for people with intellectual disabilities to be included in the legislation. She worked closely with disability activists including Justin Dart, who was chairman of the President’s Committee on Employment of People with Disabilities. Dart attended the signing ceremony and Ward said she was supposed to attend but got sick just prior to the event and had to stay home.
Kinsey told the crowd that she was born after the passage of the ADA but had benefitted from it. In school, she was told by a band director that she could not join the band because he did not know how to teach a person with a visual disability, and he did not have enough time to do it. She and her parents refused to relent, citing the ADA. School officials agreed to allow her to join. By the end of the school year, she was first chair in the clarinet section and the band director later apologized publicly to her.
Proclamations marking ADA day in the city of Oklahoma City and in the state of Oklahoma were issued by Mayor David Holt and Gov. Kevin Stitt.
 Nancy Ward talks about the fight to win passage of the ADA.
 Hannah Kinsey talks about struggles of having a disability and the support the ADA has given her.
Work begins an new agency commercials
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DRS Communications staff began the production of new commercials that are expected to begin showing this fall on television stations in Oklahoma.
The first shooting day, which was July 25, saw four clients being interviewed about their experiences both before and after receiving DRS services. The shoot was held in a downtown Oklahoma City coffee and pastry shop.
Here, SBVI client David Joy talks about how he lost his eyesight and how he now looks forward to his future after being trained to be an entrepreneur through the DRS’ Business Enterprise Program.
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Counselors and techs - your help is needed
Do you have a current or former client that is building a life of independence because of DRS services?
We want to share their stories with DRS Commissioners and in the DRS Annual Report. Let's showcase how your work and their commitment has changed lives.
Please email Brett Jones at bjones@okdrs.gov with the client's name and contact information. He will take it from there.
Is corporate leadership key to ADA compliance?
Recently, I was made aware of a joint effort known as The Access Coalition: Creating More Inclusive Retail Spaces. It brings together the American Association of People with Disabilities, Starbucks, CVS Pharmacies, Sam’s Club, Walmart, Otis Elevator and others to take the lead in advancing The Inclusive Spaces Framework. That framework was originally authored by Starbucks to better serve consumers with disabilities.
It is frustrating to enter various public places and see very little attention has been given to making them accessible. It is not uncommon to discover buildings constructed within the past 10 years failing to fully comply with the ADA Standards for Accessibility. Complicating the situation is the fact each municipality usually has its own version of the International Building Code, some of them several years old, which governs its construction guidelines.
The IBC has been taking the lead, especially since 2017, in improving the architectural accessibility standards to make sure the trend of having more scooters and powered wheelchairs in use are adequately considered. Municipalities that have older versions of the IBC are not providing as much accessibility as is possible.
It baffles me to find, after 35 years of the ADA, how many people are unaware of the things they can do, and are required to do, to ensure individuals with disabilities are able to be fully integrated into their communities. It often seems people are simply going through the motions. They know they have to provide accessible parking, ramps and accessible toilet rooms but don’t take the time to refer to the actual standards to find out the proper dimensions and measurements needed for compliance.
It seems legislation is not enough to spark the change we need in our society. Perhaps the competitive spirit and the leadership of some of the most successful retailers in the country will gain more traction and encourage others to follow the trail they are blazing. Starbucks launched their initiative in February 2024 with a “one pager,” which explained their commitment to accessibility.
I like the fact that the Inclusive Spaces Retail Checklist refers to ADA guidelines and that they have created three tiers of accessibility for companies to consider adopting. They also recommend some common-sense alterations that enhance accessibility but are not codified in the ADA Standards or IBC.
Is this how we finally get to where we want to be as a society? Through the leadership of commercial and not governmental, entities?
Explore this new initiative and see what you think.
New faces, new jobs as of July 31
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.
New hires or new jobs:
Exec – Public Information Manager Brett Jones began the new job on July 1.
MSD – Human Resources Management Specialist Gail Gilson began the new job on July 23.
MSD – Human Resources Management Specialist Mykal Kephart began the new job on July 4.
OSB – Teacher Timothy Stevens began the new job on July 1.
OSB – Principal Brian Womack began the new job on July 1.
VR – Rehabilitation Technician Lana Evans began the new job on July 7.
SBVI - Business Services Liaison Alisha Norwood began the new job on July 1.
Courtesy of Oklahoma State Department of Health
OKLAHOMA CITY – Oklahoma State Department of Health data show from 2013 to 2022, there were 141 heat-related deaths in Oklahoma, with more than 85% occurring from June to August.
However, heat can be impactful any time of year, especially if the temperature outside is nearing 90°F.
Heat-related deaths and illnesses are preventable, so it is important to keep safe while enjoying the outdoors.
Stay Cool:
- Wear lightweight, loose-fitting clothing to allow your body to breathe and regulate its temperature.
- Plan outdoor activities during the cooler parts of the day, such as morning or evening.
- Pace yourself outdoors, especially if you're not used to working or exercising in the heat.
- Listen to your body; if you start feeling lightheaded, confused, weak, or faint, take a break in a cool or shaded area, resting until you feel better.
Stay Hydrated:
- Drink plenty of fluids and try to avoid sugary or alcoholic drinks, as these can contribute to dehydration.
- Drink cool or room temperature beverages; very cold drinks can cause stomach cramps.
- Replenish salt and minerals lost from your body after prolonged or heavy sweating.
Stay Informed:
The impact of heat can vary depending on the person and other personal health factors. For example, individuals with a heart condition are more susceptible to heat illness than individuals who don’t have a heart condition.
Laugh it up: I see you
Riddle Me This: Hear me out
Today's question:
I speak without a mouth and listen without ears. I have no body, but I come alive with wind. What am I?
The answer:
???
Send us your answer
Last edition's question:
What kind of ship has two mates but no captain?
The answer:
A relationship
Those getting it right included:
- Mary Rolison
- Laura C. Prater
- Annette Underwood
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