Disability Agency Commissioner, Teen Worker Share Vision Loss Experiences

OKLAHOMA CITY − “The fact that you use alternative techniques, such as adaptive technology, to compensate for blindness shouldn’t affect the job that you can do,” Rehabilitation Services Commissioner Steve Shelton quietly advised Stephenie Jones as she demonstrated an electronic device with a camera used to enlarge text at her new job.

Jones, a pretty, dark-haired young woman, is legally blind due to Rod Cone Dystrophy and Stargardt’s Macular Dystrophy. Shelton, a computer systems analyst and consultant for Fidelity National Information Services, is also blind.

Jones, who just turned 16, found her job through Brighter Futures in Transition (BFIT), a Department of Rehabilitation Services’ (DRS’) student employment program.

A former client who received tuition and job placement assistance from DRS, Steve Shelton, now serves on the governing board for the agency.
He is currently vice chair and was originally appointed by the Speaker of the Oklahoma House of Representatives in 2007.

“My passion as a commissioner is to talk to people who are blind and tell them to believe in themselves,” Shelton explained. “DRS has to make clients feel like they can achieve their goals, or our success rate will be limited, no matter how many great services we offer.”

Jones’ part-time clerical job at Kusum Hospitality, a busy hotel management company, is going well. She is earning a paycheck and getting valuable work experience.

Jones assists her mom, Tasha Ross, who works full time in the same office. Ross was pleased about Shelton’s visit. “He is a good role model known for not letting disability stand in the way of his own career goals,” she said.

“When I was your age, I didn’t want to identify as a blind person because I could still do most things visually, so I didn’t learn to read Braille or use a cane,” Shelton told Stephenie. “Later, my vision deteriorated due to Retinitis Pigmentosa. I was older, and it was a lot harder to learn the skills I needed after I lost my vision.”

“It’s never too soon to start learning skills that you might need if your vision does get worse,” Shelton said. “It’s part of planning for your future.”

Stephenie Jones told Shelton she hopes for a career as a fashion model. He followed up with a few interested questions about that choice and asked about her back up plan.

“Perhaps a career in journalism?” Jones suggested as a question rather than a final answer.

“Well, what kind of education will you need to do that?” he asked gently, listening thoughtfully as she answered.

“Stephenie, you’ve got the right attitude – don’t accept other people’s limitations on your abilities,” Shelton told her. “Being blind is nothing to be ashamed of. It can be difficult to accept blindness, but once you do that and learn to use skills such as Braille and cane travel, life gets a lot easier.

The Visual Services division in the Oklahoma Department of Rehabilitation Services provided vocational rehabilitation and employment services to 2,438 people like Stephenie Jones in 2009.

According to a report from The University of Oklahoma outreach office, “An Analysis of Program Impacts,” DRS clients who receive vocational rehabilitation services are 77% more likely to be employed within three months after services end. When Visual Services clients work 10 years, they repay $2.3 in taxes for each $1 spent on their programs, representing a 230% return on taxpayers’ investment.

For more information about programs and services offered by the Oklahoma Department of Rehabilitation Services, visit the agency’s website at www.okdrs.gov or phone 800-845-8476. The number is accessible by phone or telecommunications equipment for the deaf.

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