Oklahoma Department of Rehabilitation Services
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People With Disabilities Awareness Day 2008 To Focus Efforts on Educating Public, Lawmakers
03.28.08 Media Releases by the Department of Rehabilitation Services
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Media Release Transcript:
OKLAHOMA DEPARTMENT OF REHABILITATION SERVICES
Media Release March 18, 2008
PEOPLE WITH DISABILITIES AWARENESS DAY 2008 TO FOCUS EFFORTS ON EDUCATING
PUBLIC, LAWMAKERS
OKLAHOMA CITY – One in five Oklahomans, roughly 635,000, have a disability,
according to U.S. Census Bureau statistics. To help educate the public, media,
and state lawmakers about the needs of people with disabilities, the Oklahoma
Department of Rehabilitation Services (DRS) will host the 14th Annual People
with Disabilities Awareness Day. The event will be from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. on
Wed., March 26, at the State Capitol on the second and fourth floor rotundas.
One of the primary reasons for the annual event is to help maximize contact
between state legislators and people with disabilities who are their
constituents. The in-person meetings offer constituents an opportunity to
educate their legislators about critical disability-related issues from their
unique perspectives.
DRS Director Linda Parker said in previous years the reaction from lawmakers has
been positive. Many have expressed their appreciation for having the chance to
find out more about how things like access to public transportation, specialized
education, equipment, and training continue to profoundly affect so many lives.
“All these things and more are ultimately about getting or maintaining some
degree of independence, and this remains a moving target for many of these
Oklahomans, and it is one that the state cannot afford to overlook,” said
Parker.
For instance, when we help a person with a disability train or retrain to become
employed, or keep a current job, they become or remain taxpayers, where there is
a good chance without (DRS’) help that wouldn’t have happened,” she said.
Other critical rehabilitation and disability issues, including those being
discussed during this legislative session, will be outlined for people who
attend the event during an issues orientation sessions to take place immediately
prior to and during event activities. Guides, interpreters for the deaf, and
help for those who do not know how to go about visiting their legislators will
also be provided.
Exhibits from over 30 disability-related programs, organizations, and others
will be on display from 9 a.m. until 2 p.m. Entertainment will be provided by
the Oklahoma School for the Deaf Performing Arts Company, and the Oklahoma
School for the Blind Jazz Band. Special guest star, award-winning
singer/songwriter, and former DRS client, Sarah Getto, will round out the day’s
performances.
This year’s sponsors include the following businesses, organizations and private
individuals; Belle Isle Lions Club, Dean A. McGee Eye Institute, Garman
Productions, Great Plains Coca-Cola Bottling Co., Heartland Council of the
Blind, NanoPac, Inc., Ned’s Catering, Oklahoma Association for the Education and
Rehabilitation of the Blind and Visually Impaired, Oklahoma Association of
Disability Examiners, Oklahoma Council of the Blind, Oklahoma Department of
Rehabilitation Services (DRS), Oklahoma Goodwill Industries, Inc., Oklahoma
Rehabilitation Association, Oklahoma Rehabilitation Council, Oklahomans for
Special Library Services, Oklahoma Department of Rehabilitation Services
Director Linda Parker, Pepsi-Cola Bottling Co. and Sorenson Communications.
The event is free and open to the public. This information also appears in
American Sign Language for the deaf on the Oklahoma Department of Rehabilitation
Services’ web site at
www.okrehab.org. For more information, visit the web site or call
(405) 951-3400 or (800) 845-8476 phone or TTY toll free.
On-Camera Interpreter: Christina Reininger
Interpreter for Christina: Johny Penny
Narrator: Hope Crumley