Skip to Main Content | Adjust Text Size: Large Print or Standard Print | Printer Friendly: Large Print or Standard Print

Back to Guide Table of Contents | Back to DRS Home

Chapter 11: Rehabilitation and Independent Living

Section 1: Oklahoma Department of Rehabilitation Services (DRS)

Oklahoma Department of Rehabilitation Services (DRS)

State Office
3535 N.W. 58th St., Ste. 500
Oklahoma City, OK 73112-4824

800-845-8476 Toll Free V/TTY
405-951-3400 Voice/TTY

www.okrehab.org/about-drs.html

The Oklahoma Department of Rehabilitation Services (DRS) expands opportunities for employment, independent life and economic self-sufficiency by helping Oklahomans with disabilities bridge barriers to success in the workplace, school and at home.

To connect to the DRS office in your area call 800-487-4042.

Division of Vocational Rehabilitation (DVR): Employment services for people with any disability, except blindness.
Division of Visual Services (DVS): Employment and independent living services for people who are blind or visually impaired.
Disability Determination Division: Determines medical eligibility for Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) and Supplemental Security Income (SSI).
Oklahoma School for the Deaf: Educational programs for children who are deaf or hard of hearing.
Oklahoma School for the Blind: Educational programs for children who are blind or visually impaired.

Oklahoma Department of Rehabilitation Services (DRS) - Business and Employment Services Team (BEST)

Shepherd Mall
2401 N.W. 23rd St., Ste. 21
Oklahoma City, OK 73107

877-739-4319 Employer Services
405-522-2506 Voice / TTY

bcburkhalter@drs.state.ok.us
www.okrehab.org/employers.html#1

DRS's Business and Employment Services Team (BEST) is working with Oklahoma employers to recruit qualified employees. As a result, these businesses are rediscovering dependability, commitment and lower employee turnove. An Oklahoma study shows that more than 84% of individuals served through Oklahoma's Vocational Rehabilitation and Visual Services' programs are still working after two years, the highest job retention rate of any workforce program.

Oklahoma Department of Rehabilitation Services (DRS) - Disability Determination Division

P. O. Box 24400
Oklahoma City, OK 73124-0400

www.okrehab.org/services_ssdb.html

Disability Determination Division (DDD) determines if applicants are medically eligible under Social Security law for Social Security Disability Insurance and Supplemental Security Income payments. A team consisting of a physician or psychologist and disability examiner will consider all the facts in the case, using medical information from doctors, hospitals, clinics or other places where the client has been treated. You can apply for disability benefits by phone, by mail or by visiting any Social Security Administration office.

Oklahoma Department of Rehabilitation Services (DRS) - Oklahoma School for the Deaf, Equipment Distribution Program

1100 E. Oklahoma St.
Sulphur, OK 73086

866-309-1717 Toll Free V/TTY
580-622-8812 Voice/TTY

tprince@drs.state.ok.us

Equipment Distribution Program provides adaptive equipment for telephone and communications access for individuals who are deaf, deaf-blind, hard of hearing or speech impaired. Items available include TTYs, phone amplifiers, ring signalers, visual signaling devices and other adaptive devices for use in the home. Equipment is free for those meeting income guidelines, with sliding scale charges for persons above set income levels. Call 866-309-1717 or 580-622-5850 for more information.

Hearing Aid Program for Seniors provides assistance purchasing hearing aids for income-eligible senior citizens. Persons exceeding the income criteria may receive partial assistance. For information and applications call 866-309-1717 or 580-622-5850.

Oklahoma Department of Rehabilitation Services (DRS) - Transition School-to-Work Program

2401 N.W. 23rd St., Ste. 59
Oklahoma City, OK 73107

580-436-2430 Visual Services Statewide
405-522-6525 Vocational Rehab OKC Area

www.okrehab.org/students.html#3

The Transition School-to-Work Program helps students with disabilities who are eligible for vocational rehabilitation services to prepare for employment and life after high school. Services available through Division of Vocational Rehabilitation and Division of Visual Services counselors assigned to each high school include:

Vocational counseling and guidance assists teachers, parents and students in developing appropriate career goals.
Vocational assessment and evaluation helps determine students' employment-related strengths.
Work study provides job readiness skills, work experience and high school credits.
Work site learning, arranged through "cooperative agreements" with schools, provides minimum-wage work in the community or at school, job readiness skills, work experience and high school credits.
Work adjustment training is purchased from community-based facilities.
On-the-job training is arranged in the community for students in the second semester of their senior year with permanent employment as a goal.
Supported employment helps students in the second semester of their senior year transition into permanent employment.
Job development and placement specialists help students make job searches more successful.

Vocational Rehabilitation Services in the Oklahoma City area email ljgameson@drs.state.ok.us, Tulsa area email mbaker@drs.state.ok.us and other state offices email reames@drs.state.ok.us. Visual Services statewide email sghawkins@drs.state.ok.us

Oklahoma Department of Rehabilitation Services (DRS) - Visual Services, Business Enterprise Program

8 N.W. 8th St.
Oklahoma City, OK 73102

405-231-1060 Voice / TTY
405-231-1070 Fax

pbryant@drs.state.ok.us.
www.okrehab.org/jobseekers.html#15vr

This program trains and licenses legally blind individuals to manage food service facilities in government buildings and other public or private facilities around the state. Visual Services secures and equips locations and provides ongoing technical support for facility managers. Persons interested in pursuing this self-employment option should contact the nearest Visual Services office.

Oklahoma Department of Rehabilitation Services (DRS) - Visual Services, Deaf Blind Specialist

2401 N.W. 23rd, Ste. 91
Oklahoma City, OK 73107

405-522-3417 V/TTY
405-522-3332 Fax

jblake@drs.state.ok.us
www.okrehab.org/others.html#20ils

The Division of Visual Services provides advocacy, information and referral, evaluation, and guidance and counseling services for individuals who are deaf-blind and their families. Tactile, vibratory and other equipment which assists people in communicating and receiving environmental information is available.

Individuals may be referred for deaf-blind services who are legally blind (or have progressive visual disabilities that will result in legal blindness) and severe to profound hearing losses (or significant difficulties communicating in home or community settings). There are no age requirements for services; however, this program primarily serves adults.

Oklahoma Department of Rehabilitation Services (DRS) - Visual Services, Instructional Services

Shepherd Mall
2401 N.W. 23rd St., Ste. 91
Oklahoma City, OK 73107

405-522-3382 Voice / TTY
405-522-3332 Fax

reboykin@drs.state.ok.us
www.okrehab.org/others.html#9ils

Rehabilitation Teachers of the Blind provide instruction and counseling services through a home visitation program which helps individuals adjust to the loss of sight. Contact local Visual Services offices for Instructional Services, which may include:

Adjustment counseling;
Communications skills instruction including (as needed) braille, keyboarding skills, low vision technology and adaptive techniques and devices;
Personal and home management skills instruction;
Daily living skills instruction for functioning independently at home;
Travel techniques (orientation and mobility);
Skills for participating in recreation and leisure activities;
Information on community resources; and
Information on adaptive devices and how to obtain them.

Contact the nearest DRS office for more information by calling 800-487-4042 or follow this link to a list of DRS offices statewide.

Oklahoma Department of Rehabilitation Services (DRS) - Visual Services, Older Blind Program

800-829-3255 Toll Free
918-742-8989 Voice / TTY

mksanders@drs.state.ok.us
www.okrehab.org/others.html#13ils

The Older Blind Independent Living Program expands independent living services for people who are 55 years old or older and legally blind. Rehabilitation teachers located in Division of Visual Services offices throughout the state provide one-on-one assistance to assist older people in adjusting to blindness and regaining or maintaining maximum independence and self-sufficiency.

Oklahoma Department of Rehabilitation Services (DRS) - Visual Services, Orientation and Mobility Specialists

Shepherd Mall
2401 N.W. 23rd St., Ste. 91
Oklahoma City OK 73107-2431

405-522-3382 Voice / TTY
405-522-3332 Fax

reboykin@drs.state.ok.us
www.okrehab.org/others.html#9ils

Instruction in using white canes and other techniques for traveling independently in the community as a person with blindness or low vision.

Oklahoma Department of Rehabilitation Services (DRS) - Visual Services, Rehabilitation Technology Lab for Blindness and Low Vision

Shepherd Mall
2401 N.W. 23rd. St., Ste. 91
Oklahoma City, OK 73107-2412

800-523-0288 Toll Free
405-522-3333 Voice

ahilliard@drs.state.ok.us
www.okrehab.org

Individual assistive technology evaluations;
Recommendations for assistive technology to meet individual needs;
Demonstration of adaptive computer technology;
Employer consultation on technology for employment situations; and
Information on assistive tech options for blindness and low vision.

Direct link: www.okrehab.org/services_vsservices.html.

Oklahoma Department of Rehabilitation Services (DRS) - Vocational Rehabilitation

3535 N.W. 58th St., Ste. 500
Oklahoma City OK 73112

800-845-8476 Toll Free
405-951-3400 Voice / TTY

lsantin@drs.state.ok.us
www.okrehab.org

The primary vocational rehabilitation services are counseling and guidance with job placement. However, other services may also be provided as needed for an individual to compensate for, correct or prevent disability-based barriers to employment. These services can include, but are not limited to:

Physical or mental restoration;
Vocational, college or other training;
Assistive technology evaluations, equipment and training;
Information on disability resources;
Personal assistance services while receiving VR services;
Transportation in connection with VR services being provided;
Supported employment;
Self-employment assistance;
Transition school-to-work services for youth with disabilities; and
Other services based on individual needs.

The services a person receives are determined by the person's Individualized Plan for Employment (IPE). This plan outlines a person's employment goal and the services that are needed to enable the person to achieve that goal. The IPE can be written by a VR client and counselor working together, or it can be written by the client according to guidelines the counselor will explain.

Eligibility: A person may be eligible for vocational rehabilitation services if he or she has a physical or mental disability that is a barrier to employment and if the person can benefit in terms of employment by receiving VR services.

Cost: Some services, such as medical examinations to determine if a person is eligible for vocational rehabilitation, counseling and job placement, are provided at no charge to the client. For some other services, a client may have to share in the cost, depending on his/her income and resources.

Applying for Vocational Rehabilitation services: Contact the nearest DRS office at 800-487-4042 or follow this link to a list of DRS offices statewide.

Oklahoma Department of Rehabilitation Services (DRS) - Vocational Rehabilitation, Assistive Technology Lending Lab

Shepherd Mall
2401 N.W. 23rd St., Ste. 21
Oklahoma City, OK 73107

405-522-3398 Voice / TTY

ahilliard@drs.state.ok.us
www.okrehab.org

Assistive and adaptive technology equipment available for demonstrations and lending.

Oklahoma Department of Rehabilitation Services (DRS) - Vocational Rehabilitation, Services to the Deaf and Hard of Hearing - Oklahoma City

Shepherd Mall
2401 N.W. 23rd. St., Ste. 65
Oklahoma City OK 73107-2431

800-833-8973 Toll Free
405-522-7930 Voice /TDD

www.okrehab.org

Vocational Rehabilitation Counselors for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing:
Transition Oklahoma City: Hope Crumley, 405-522-7935 Voice / TTY
West Oklahoma City: Karen Goforth, 405-522-6927 Voice / TTY
East Oklahoma City: Toni Foster, 405-522-7934 Voice / TTY

Services include:

Vocational Rehabilitation for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing provides services to help consumers get a job, keep a job, and/or get a better job, if under-employed. Counselors act as a consultant with consumers that have severe hearing loss and as a consultant with other agencies and organizations regarding resources or responsibilities. Counselors assist consumers in finding resources in the community available for people that are deaf or hard of hearing. Sign language interpreters are provided for vocational rehabilitation consumers for vocational rehabilitation services.
Employment Training Center can provide pre-vocational and independent living skills training for those needing assistance such as job readiness training, resume writing, job seeking and application assistance, self-advocacy training, job club and community resources. For more information email knutt@drs.state.ok.usor jrobertson@drs.state.ok.us or call 405-635-2781 or 405-635-2758.
The Oklahoma Quality Assurance Screening Test (QAST) is the method used by the Department of Rehabilitation Services to test and evaluate the proficiency of individuals requesting Oklahoma certification as interpreters for the deaf. If you would like to complete the application for certification, it is available for download in Microsoft Word format drsQASTapp07.doc (158 KB).

A list of all certified Oklahoma interpreters, is available for download in Microsoft Word format at oklacertint1.doc The Oklahoma Department of Education maintains an independent list of interpreters, which can be accessed from their website, at http://se.sde.state.ok.us/eir/publicReports/InterpreterRegistry.aspx.

Oklahoma Department of Rehabilitation Services (DRS) - Vocational Rehabilitation, Services to the Deaf and Hard of Hearing - Tulsa

8740 E. 11th St., Ste. F
Tulsa, OK 74112-7957

800-833-8973 Toll Free V/TTY
918-836-7105 TTY

lberglund@drs.state.ok.us
www.okrehab.org

Vocational Rehabilitation Counselors for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing:
Ada: Alisa Proctor, 580-332-2785
Tulsa: Christina Reininger, 918-836-5556 V/TTY
Tulsa: Sandy Keesee, 918-836-5556 V/TTY

Services include:

Vocational Rehabilitation for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing provides services to help consumers get a job, keep a job, and/or get a better job, if under-employed. Counselors act as a consultant with consumers that have severe hearing loss and as a consultant with other agencies and organizations regarding resources or responsibilities. Counselors assist consumers in finding resources in the community available for people that are deaf or hard of hearing. Sign language interpreters are provided for vocational rehabilitation consumers for vocational rehabilitation services.
The Oklahoma Quality Assurance Screening Test (QAST) is the method used by the Department of Rehabilitation Services to test and evaluate the proficiency of individuals requesting Oklahoma certification as interpreters for the deaf. If you would like to complete the application for certification, it is available for download in Microsoft Word format drsQASTapp07.doc (158 KB).

Oklahoma Library for the Blind and Physically Handicapped

300 N.E. 18th St.
Oklahoma City, OK 73105

800-523-0288 Toll Free
405-521-3514 Voice

VGolightly@drs.state.ok.us
www.okrehab.org/others.html#12ils

Provides books and periodicals in recorded and other alternate formats for children and adults who are unable to use standard print due to visual or physical disabilities. Cassette players and talking book machines are loaned and maintained free of charge. Descriptive videos (with narration describing visual action) can be checked out. NEWSLINE service gives over-the-phone access to major newspapers read via computer speech.

Accessible Instructional Materials Center (AIM) - The Library provides textbooks in braille and other alternate formats for visually impaired students in public schools. Teachers are urged to request braille instructional materials well in advance of need, to the extent possible.

Oklahoma School for the Blind

3300 Gibson St.
Muskogee, OK 74403

877-229-7136 Toll Free
918-781-8200 Voice

kekizzia@drs.state.ok.us.
www.okrehab.org/students.html#1

OSB is a residential and day school for children and youth with visual impairments. The School also serves as a statewide resource for the education of blind and visually impaired children in the public schools. Programs and services include:

Academic instruction through 12th grade;
Instruction in specialized adaptive skills such as braille, orientation and mobility, use of assistive technology and low vision aids, and independent living skills;
Vocational training and work-study opportunities;
College preparation;
Social, cultural and recreational activities including sports teams, music, band competitions, and a variety of student organizations;
Outreach services providing technical assistance to help teachers and parents develop appropriate individualized education programs for visually impaired children in public schools;
Related services such as student assessment, counseling, physical therapy, speech and language therapy, audiological services, health care and parent education and counseling; and
Library and Media Center with educational materials in alternate formats including Braille, large print and recordings. Assistive devices to try out or borrow include talking appliances, magnifiers, closed-circuit TVs for print enlargement, electronic Braille notetakers and much more.

Oklahoma School for the Deaf

1100 E. Oklahoma St.
Sulphur, OK 73086-3108

888-685-3323 Toll Free V/TTY
580-622-4900 Voice

lhawkins@osd.k12.ok.us
www.okrehab.org/students.html#2

OSD is a residential and day school providing specialized educational services to children and youth who are deaf or hard of hearing. The School also serves as a statewide resource for the education of deaf and hard of hearing children who attend public schools in Oklahoma. Programs include:

Early Childhood Development Program for children ages 2-6;
Regional preschools in Collinsville and Edmond are provided by OSB in cooperation with local schools;
A comprehensive curriculum for residential and day students, with instruction in reading, language arts, math, social studies, science, physical education, fine arts, communication skills, computer skills, and other subjects;
Vocational and technical training;
Work experience in the community;
Social, cultural and recreational activities;
Student organizations;
Sports and athletic competitions; and
Outreach services including psychological and audiological evaluations, parent education programs, captioned videos, vocational and career education, counseling, and sign language instruction.

OSD Satellite Pre-schools:
Collinsville Early Childhood Center
12936 N. 129 E. Ave.
Collinsville, OK 74021
918-371-6870 Voice

Edmond Regional Preschool
University of Central Oklahoma
Box 176
Edmond, OK 73034
405-974-5961 Voice

Back to Guide Table of Contents | Back to DRS Home

07/09/2008