25 Anniversary logo
Join us in celebrating 25 years as an independent agency. On June 11, 1993, then Gov. David Walters signed Senate Bill 356, establishing the Oklahoma Department of Rehabilitation Services. Its passage was evidence of the state of Oklahoma’s commitment to provide more effective consumer responsive services for its citizens with disabilities. DRS was established to serve many of the major programs important to the disability community including Rehabilitation Services, Visual Services, Oklahoma School for the Blind, Oklahoma School for the Deaf and the Disability Determination Services.

Former client finds perfect job at Enid Visual Services

Smiling woman seated at office desk.

ENID, Okla. – Two years ago, Alisha Norwood was a client on the other side of the desk at the Visual Services office in Enid.

Born with a visual disability called nystagmus, she needed help with career planning and employment.

Nystagmus causes rapid, involuntary eye movement and blurry vision.

Today, Norwood is the only rehabilitation technician in the Enid office where she once received services.

Dress for Success Tulsa, DRS Visual Services partner to help mutual clients succeed

Smiling woman holds clothing on a hanger.

TULSA, Okla. – Dress for Success Tulsa and Visual Services are helping clients of both organizations, Yessica Romero from Broken Arrow and Marilyn Harris from Tulsa, get nine months of on-the-job experience and paychecks.

Romero and Harris started work on January 29.

Their job duties include stocking clothing in the boutique, helping clients make selections, setting up lunches for “Beyond the Suit” employment training and handling other assignments.

Oklahoma School for the Deaf Senior Class Commencement May 23

11 head shots of the senior class.

SULPHUR, Okla. — Oklahoma School for the Deaf is proud to announce the Senior Class of 2018 will graduate at 1 pm on May 23, in the Larry Hawkins Activity Center, at 1100 East Oklahoma Street in Sulphur.

The OSD 2018 graduating class includes Kaitlyn Bean of Ada, Hailey Billey of Ada, Bryce Bristow of Tecumseh, Gage  Cole of Mustang, Jenita Felker of Bartlesville, Justice Glory of Ada, Allie Herrera of Waurika, Brianna Neese of Madill, Jaleesa Osborn of Sulphur, Taylor Tweedy of Checotah and Grace Woodall of Sulphur.

Ada and School for the Deaf students team up to Teach Oklahoma

Seven people seated at restaurant table fingerspell to communicate with deaf people.

SULPHUR, Okla. – An exciting program called Teach Oklahoma is encouraging bright junior and senior students to consider teaching in Oklahoma as a viable career choice.

Teach Oklahoma is sponsored by the Oklahoma State Regents for Higher Education.

The curriculum explores various areas of teaching, observation and professional development. Students engage in clinical teaching exercises in educational settings.

Oklahoma School for the Blind Senior Class Commencement May 16

14 portraits of the Senior Class.

Muskogee, Okla. — Oklahoma School for the Blind is pround to announce the Senior Class of 2018 will graduate on May 16. The commencement ceremony will be at noon in the OSB auditorium, at 3300 Gibson Street, Muskogee.

This year’s graduating class includes Brittany Marie Bales of Muskogee, Julie Bookout of Broken Arrow, Brianna Marie Brennan of Muskogee, Holly E. Felkins of Collinsville, Sara Michelle Graber of Haskell, Gunner Levi  Harris of Sallisaw, Cameron Blake Hughes of Broken Bow, Jake E. Marsh of Fairfax, Joseph Michael Anthony Owens of Broken Arrow, Kinzie Elizabeth Peters of Ponca City, Jonathon Blayne Phelps of Valliant, Thomas Dean Raines of Tahlequah, Lorenzo Alberto Rodriguez of Sapulpa, Halle Miree Stout of Oklahoma City and Shaylin Wells of Sapulpa.

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