DRS and Oklahoma Rehabilitation Council holds Public Hearing
The Department of Rehabilitation Services will hold a public hearing to receive comments on proposed amendments to the department’s rules.
PUBLIC HEARINGS WILL BE HELD ON:
Monday, February 2, 2009
4:00 P.M. — 6:00 P.M.
Department Of Rehabilitation Services
2nd Floor Conference Room
3535 N.W. 58th
Oklahoma City, Oklahoma
Tuesday, February 3, 2009
1:00 P.M. — 3:00 P.M.
Total Source For Hearing Loss And Access
8740 E. 11th, Conference Room
Tulsa, Oklahoma
Wednesday, February 4, 2009
1:00 P.M. — 3:00 P.M.
Great Plains Technical Center
4500 S.W. Lee Blvd., Bldg 300, Room 301A
Lawton, Oklahoma
To see a flyer with meeting dates and a summary of the rules that have proposed amendments, click here to open a standard print document or click here to open a large print document.
Oklahoma Library for the Blind Records First High Quality Local book Accepted by National Library Service
The
Oklahoma Library for the Blind and Physically Handicapped has produced
the first locally recorded audio book accepted by the National Library
Services (NLS) in digital format.
NLS, a component of the Library of Congress, will begin replacing analog
audio cassette books with digital technology in 2008. OLBPH, which has a
professional quality digital recording studio in Oklahoma City, is ready
for the transition and advises other states regarding the new recording
process.
Now children with a vision impairment anywhere in the United States can
check out a copy of Oklahoma's first digital book submitted to NLS “When
Turtle Grew Feathers,” by Oklahoman Tim Tingle. The book is narrated by
volunteer Nancy Cheper of Ada and produced by OLBPH Studio Director Jill
Streck.
Oklahoma School for the Blind Hosts Future Shock 2008
Oklahoma School for the Blind (OSB) and their Parent Teacher Organization hosted its fourth annual “Future Shock” for all of Oklahoma’s blind or visually impaired students at the OSB campus.
State Agency Reopens Employment Services for 918 Oklahomans with Severe Disabilities
Thanks to more administrative belt-tightening by the Oklahoma Department of Rehabilitation Services (DRS), an additional 918 Oklahomans with the most significant barriers to employment began receiving critical services on Sept. 16.
DRS’ Vocational Rehabilitation and Visual Services divisions must continue to defer services to another 2,148 applicants whose disabilities are less significant in terms of reaching employment goals. These individuals will remain on waiting lists, established on Jan. 19, 2007, until the agency, which is required by state law to maintain a balanced budget, has funds available to pay for their services.
Language No Barrier For Deaf and Hearing Friends
It’s
been nine, long years since Wilma Rehman last saw Jaime Lopez. The
friendship that made them as close as family has survived double
language barriers, a near-fatal illness and relocation to the other side
of the country. In spite of the strong bond between them, Lopez, who is
deaf, has never spoken to Rehman.
At their recent reunion in Oklahoma City, they communicated through
a sign language interpreter who joined them, Lopez’s his fiancé
Amparo Amaya and other family members only a few days before Deaf
Awareness Week, celebrated Sept. 21 through Sept. 27 in Oklahoma.
Former Division Administrator Mike O’Brien to Serve as Disability Agency Director
The
Commission for Rehabilitation Services has selected Dr. Michael O’Brien,
a university professor and rehabilitation services consultant from Las
Vegas, New Mexico, as the next director of the Oklahoma Department of
Rehabilitation Services (DRS). He will replace DRS's current director, Linda
S. Parker, when she retires in. Dec. 2008 after 35 years of state service.
O’Brien was previously employed by DRS from 1997 to 2001 as administrator of
the Vocational Rehabilitation division.