500 Oklahomans to Rally April 9 at State Capitol to Support Disability Programs

Anna Henderson at work

OKLAHOMA CITY – More than 500 Oklahomans with disabilities and supporters will rally at the State Capitol from 9 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. on Thurs., April 9 for the 15th annual People with Disabilities Awareness Day – PWDAD, for short. Participants are encouraged to “Be seen, Wear green” to unify the group and make participants more visible to legislators and staff.

PWDAD, which is hosted by the Department of Rehabilitation Services (DRS), gives state legislators a chance to hear from people with disabilities and disability advocates about the positive impact of critical disability services and the growing needs of 620,685 citizens with disabilities.

A former client in DRS’ Vocational Rehabilitation program, Anna Henderson will work the registration desk at PWDAD for the fifth year.

“I am very proud and very honored to be a part of all this, and I look forward to it every year,” Henderson said. “I think it’s important to put a face with disability so that people will realize that we are just like everyone else.”

Henderson has a bright smile and a passion for the OSU Cowboys in spite of some ribbing from co-workers who support another team. She works in DRS’ budget and finance unit processing travel claims for agency staff that frequently drive to deliver services because many DRS clients have transportation problems.

Henderson’s disability is cerebral palsy with scoliosis and arthritis, which she admits “is a pain in the butt.”

“It’s something that you have to deal with, so I choose to deal with it with humor,” Henderson explained. “You can sit and cry or you can say, 'There’s humor in this,' laugh and go on. I choose the humor.”

Lt. Governor Jari Askins will welcome PWDAD visitors to the State Capitol.

The event will feature 44 exhibitors from disability organizations located in the first and fourth rotundas. The Oklahoma School for the Deaf Performing Arts Company dancers will entertain the crowd. DRS will screen a new agency video for the first time, and Commission for Rehabilitation Services members will recognize award winners in an annual ceremony.

PWDAD sponsors include 3-H Belle Isle Lions Club, Paul and Jean Adams, Dean McGee Eye Institute, Garman Productions, Heartland Council of the Blind, NanoPac, Inc., Oklahoma Association for the Education and Rehabilitation of the Blind and Visually Impaired, Oklahoma Association of Disability Examiners, Oklahoma Council of the Blind, Oklahoma Goodwill Industries, Oklahoma League for the Blind, Oklahoma Rehabilitation Association, Oklahoma Rehabilitation Council, Oklahomans for Special Library Services, Sorenson Communications, Dave and Suze Rostochil, Sam’s Club and Scott Sabolich Prosthetics and Research.

PWDAD is free and open to the public. All activities are first come, first served. Participants are encouraged to pre-register online at www.okdrs.gov  or to call (405) 951-3478 or (800) 845-8476 for assistance. The numbers are accessible by voice and telecommunications equipment for the deaf.

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