oklahoma Department of Rehabilitation Services


Governor proclaims Deaf-Blind Awareness Week June 23-29

Helen Keller standing at a window and her hand resting on the pane.

Gov. Mary Fallin proclaimed June23-29 as Keller Deaf-Blind Awareness Week in Oklahoma.

OKLAHOMA CITY – Gov. Mary Fallin has proclaimed June 23-29 as Deaf-Blind Awareness Week in Oklahoma in recognition of the achievements of Oklahomans who have vision and hearing loss.

World-famous author, disability advocate and lecturer Helen Keller is considered the best known American who was deaf-blind, despite the fact that she died 45 years ago.

Keller learned to read braille and raised print, and to communicate with speech and sign language for the deaf with the help of her teacher, Anne Sullivan, who also had a visual disability.

Oklahomans who are deaf-blind may receive career counseling, comprehensive rehabilitation, personal adjustment training, job preparation and placement and independent living services through the state Department of Rehabilitation Services.

—Deaf-Blind Week continued

Tornado victims with disabilities can get disaster relief at Moore,
El Reno, Little Axe and Shawnee

OKLAHOMA CITY – Oklahomans with disabilities can apply for employment and other assistance on Wednesdays and Saturdays through June 29 at the Westmoore High School disaster relief location. The school is located at 12613 S. Western in Moore. The entrance is on the south side beside the library.

Vocational Rehabilitation and Visual Services staff from the Oklahoma Department of Rehabilitation Services will take applications from people whose disabilities are barriers to employment.

A DRS rehabilitative specialist will be available from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. on June 19 and from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. on June 22 to make recommendations for accommodations that will enable workers with disabilities to do their jobs.

—Disaster Relief story continued

Oklahoma School for the Blind announces the
graduation of the Class of 2013

Oklahoma School for the Blind Senior class of 2013, all seven of the seniors in their caps and gowns

Oklahoma School for the Blind proudly announces that seven seniors graduated at their commencement ceremony on May 23, in the OSB auditorium.

The OSB 2013 graduating class includes Sabrina Allen of Vinita, Jennifer Carducci of Muskogee, Lucas Brittany Donley of Cache, Dotson of Broken Arrow, Sunia Hassan of Broken Arrow, Joshua Reid of Lawton and Arik Schotts of Lawton.

“I would like to wish our graduates the best future possible as this is a very special achievement in everyone’s life. I hope each of our seniors will spend a moment reflecting on how much they have learned in life and where their dreams for the future will take them,” James Adams, OSB superintendent, said.

Oklahoma School for the Deaf announces the
graduation of the Class of 2013

individual photos of each of the OSD seniors

Oklahoma School for the Deaf proudly announces that 21 seniors graduated at their commencement ceremony on May 22, in the OSD gym.

The OSD 2013 graduating class includes Miranda Abell of Ardmore, Seth Allen of Sulphur, Felicia Anderson of Oklahoma City, Audrey Drake of Tulsa, Sassy Fields of Sulphur, Elizabeth Gomez of Coweta, Heath Lindsay of Madill, Andrew Lobaugh of Pauls Valley, Shae-Lyn Mayes of Ardmore, Quincy McCoy of Oklahoma City, Gabrelle Moore of Atoka, McKenzi O’Connor of Guthrie, Anna Olivas of Duncan, Marie Sands of Shawnee, Brandon Sites of Ada, Christian Smith of Kingston, Kevin Smith of Pauls Valley, Cariss Thomason of Sulphur, Travis Turner of Ada, Aaneissiah Underwood of Oklahoma City and Britney Wells of Granite.

"This has been a good group of students. I am happy that they are moving on to bigger and brighter futures." KaAnn Varner, OSD superintendent.