What's New At DRS

• Announcements / Events / Issue Alerts
• Media Releases
• DRS in the News

To view the DRS agency calendar of events, click here.
(This link will open a new window to the State of Oklahoma web site's calendar section for DRS.

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DRS in the News—

People with Disabilities Awareness Day 2008

• Follow this link to the Awareness Day article by the Associated Press posted on NewsOK.com.
• Visit The Oklahoman Online to read the article about former DRS client Sarah Getto.
• Access the video interview with Sarah Getto on NewsOK.tv.
• Access the KSBI-TV story about Sarah Getto, Anna Roberts, and People with Disabilities Awareness Day 2008. Access the hi-speed video.
• Access the video on the FOX 25 web site of evening anchor Andrew Speno's story about Sarah Getto. Note: Download time may be considerable.
• Read the Norman Transcript article about Awareness Day, and singer Sarah Getto.

Read the recent Tulsa World feature story about DRS' Rehabilitation of the Blind Specialist, Charley Tipps.

Under the licensing agreement between a program of DRS' Division of Visual Services' and Java Dave's, Inc., a new, state of the art coffee shop was opened recently inside the Oklahoma State Capitol Building. Follow this link to the Tulsa World news story for more details. "Capitol getting coffee shop - Java Dave's grows through a program for the visually impaired."

Read this story about DRS employee Bill Austin, "DRS worker overcomes obstacles with positive thoughts," which appeared in the Captiol News Now series entitled "Profiles in Courage."

Follow this link to the Muskogee Phoenix newspaper web site to read their Sept. 23, 2007 article on The Oklahoma School for the Blind's land run reenactment.

The Muskogee Phoenix covered a story on a Muskogee golf tournament that raised $12,000 for OSB. Follow this link to view the article dated Sept. 15, 2007.

Read the story about DRS' ASL streaming video media release which ran in The Oklahoman on Sat., Sept. 22, 2007.

Please follow this link at http://newsok.com/article/keyword/3121064/ to a story in The Oklahoman about the Oklahoma School for the Deaf which ran in the Sunday issue on Sept. 9, 2007.

Follow this link to Oklahoma City's KSBI-TV to access their coverage of the DRS-sponsored special screening of "The Ultimate Gift" major motion picture, descriptive video version on Aug. 9th . http://www.ksbitv.com/news/9072386.html?video=YHI#

 

Follow this link to the Saturday, Aug. 4, 2007 issue of The Oklahoman's feature story on Commissioner Steve Shelton. Shelton's article is online at http://www.newsok.com/article/3098484 .

Read more about Commissioner Shelton's appointment to the Commission for Rehabilitation Services in the story published by the Tulsa World on Aug. 3, 2007.

Follow the links below to read three wonderful stories related to the ADA Anniversary that appeared in the July 26th issue of The Oklahoman.

“Landmark ADA Legislation Makes Certain That Everyone Benefits” http://newsok.com/article/3091790

“17 Years Since Signing of Landmark Disability” http://newsok.com/article/3091803

“What ADA Means” http://newsok.com/article/3091792

Follow this link to access the video segment of a recent news story aired on KOTV-Tulsa, about books on tape provided by the Oklahoma Library for the Blind and Physically Handicapped. The story is now posted as streaming video at kotv.com. A text-only transcript of the video is available here. (MS Word)

 

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Announcements/Events/Issue Alerts

• DRS' State Plan for Vocational Rehabilitation Services and Supported Employment Services 2009
• Rehabilitation Issues Update (3-11-2008) Transportation News
• Rehabilitation Issues Update (2-29-2008) Vocational Rehabilitation Legislation and Issues
• Rehabilitation Issues Update (2-4-2008). Includes information on newly introduced state bills that could affect Oklahomans with disabilities.
• The 14th Annual People with Disabilities Awareness Day, "One in Five" will be at the Oklahoma State Capitol on Wednesday, March 26th from 9 a.m to 2 p.m. Find out more.
• Rehabilitation Issues Update (9-27-2007) Includes information on the proposed reauthorization of the Rehabilitation Act, this time separate from the Workforce Investment Act. (The Rehab Act is part of the WIA, but the reauthorization of the WIA as a whole seems unlikely this session.) This update also includes summaries of the key changes proposed in the in the Rehab reauthoriztion bill in its draft form at this time.
• Rehabilitation Issues Update (8-16-07) Includes issue information on DVD transition, transportation, medicare coverage, ADA Restoration Act, Brain Injury Bill, and Genetic Information Nondiscrimination Act.
• Public transit/human service transportation issues are being discussed in open meetings around the state. They are being coordinated by the Oklahoma Department of Transportation . Go to the Oklahoma Coordination website to find out more, including upcoming meeting dates and times the first week in September.
• Legislative Issues Update: ADA Restoration Act (7-30-07)
• Legislation introduced in the House to revise Medicare decision on mobility devices (6-13-07)
• METRO Transit cuts some METRO Link weekday routes, reduces scheduled stops (effective 6-25-07) See schedules and maps here.
• Rehabilitation Issues Update (6-05-07) Update on 2007 state legislative outcomes and federal disability issues
• Rehabilitation Issues Update (5-10-07) State Legislative update.
• Rehabilitation Issues Update (3-20-07)
• Rehabilitation Issues Update (2-7-07) "The President's Budget for 2008 and Beyond: Impact on Rehabilitation and Disability Programs."

Please visit the Oklahoma Rehabilitation Council's website at http://www.okrehabcouncil.org/vrdu.html for the latest information about disability advocates' defense of vocational rehabilitation programs.

The Mission of the Oklahoma Rehabilitation Council is:“To facilitate consumer education and empowerment, to assure services are of high quality, and lead to employment of individuals with disabilities in the State of Oklahoma”.

Follow this link for information about the Governor's Council for Workforce and Economic Development.

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Media Releases 2008

• "Public Hearings Set to Discuss Agency’s State Plan"  |  View State Plan
• "People with Disabilities Awareness Day 2008 to Focus Efforts on Educating Public, Lawmakers"
  (ASL Accessible version)

Media Releases 2007

• "White Cane significance to people who are blind recognized"
• "Disability Employment Awareness Month highlights employment success of Oklahomans with disabilities" (10-3-07)
• "In Honor of National Deaf Awarness Week, Sept. 23–29, DRS Online Includes Its First-Ever Media Release Signed for Deaf in ASL, OSD Plans Deaf Awareness Day Activities on Sept. 26"
• "Falling Into Success through Hard Work and Drive"
• "Shelton appointed new Commissioner for state disability agency"
• "Disabilities Act means access and opportunity for 604 thousand Oklahomans"
• "Governor Declares Deaf-Blind Awareness Week to Promote Oklahomans' Needs and Abilities"
• "Students at Oklahoma School for the Blind Play Video Games"
• "Oklahoma School for the Blind to host national outreach forum April 25-28"
• "DRS Invites Public Comment on Proposed Vocational Rehabilitation and Supported Employment Plans"
• "People With Disabilities Awareness Day 2007 Set for April 11th"
• "Commission for rehabilitation services approves service delays for some new DVR/DVS applicants"
• "Governor declares January braille literacy month"

2006

• "Agra native celebrates 50 years in business at the same hometown snack bar"
• "DRS consumer success story told in honor of National Disability Employment Month (October '06)"
• "Muskogee 'Diabetes Awareness Day' seminar to feature experts in many areas of diabetes care"
• "Northeast Oklahoma Job and Resource Fair hoping to pair disabled/nondisabled job seekers with area employers"
• "Appointees announced for DRS Commission"
• "Oklahoma School for the Deaf Lady Indians named National Champions"

2005

• "Disability Agencies Partner to Loan Specialized Equipment"
• "Donations Totaling $32,000 Help Provide Much-needed Playground Equipment for Students at Oklahoma School for the Deaf"
• "School for the Blind Students to Hike the High Andes with World-Renowned Mountain Climber"
• "Lawton Businessman Enjoys Benefits of Innovative Program"
• "Southern Oklahoma Memorial Foundation Funds School for the Deaf Tennis Courts"
• "National White Cane Day Observed to Educate Drivers, Honor Users"
• View two Public Service Announcements. (Click here for the text-only version.)

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