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.

OK School for the Deaf sophomore class t-shirt fundraiser

Black t-shirt with words What part of, the hands fingerspelling sign language and words don't you understand

Oklahoma School for the Deaf wants to share exciting news! The sophomore class is doing a big sign language t-shirt fundraiser. Check it out at https://www.bonfire.com/osd-class-of-2021-sign-language-shirt/.
The best part is you can choose your own style and color! Jamie Wilson says, "Please go to the link and look! We hope you will support us!" The sale of shirts online will end on May 5th. Thank you for your support!

School for the Deaf athletic champions honored at state Capitol

10 young people stand in front of four adults behind desks on a platform

OKLAHOMA CITY – Oklahoma House of Representatives Speaker Charles McCall (Republican–District 22) from Atoka honored a trifecta of championship teams from the Oklahoma School for the Deaf on the House floor Monday, April 8.

The school is located in McCall’s district. He is a frequent visitor and supporter.

The OSD men’s football team was named 2018-2019 co-champions, while the women's basketball and cheer teams are both champions in the Great Plains Schools for the Deaf Conference.

18 students win Braille Challenge® awards at Oklahoma School for the Blind

Photos of 3 students wearing medals on ribbons around their necks

MUSKOGEE, Okla. –– Braille literacy is the key to education and eventually employment for many students with vision impairments.

That’s why 30 Oklahoma students competed and 18 of them earned top awards in the Braille Challenge® regional competition held at Oklahoma School for the Blind.

The national Braille Challenge® program is sponsored by the Braille Institute, a nonprofit organization focused on eliminating barriers caused by blindness and severe sight loss.

The Braille Institute is celebrating its 100th Year of free service this year.

Go back in time with us with this classic press release - meet Denise Gallagher



This media release was originally released on Sept. 22, 2014. DRS has been empowering Oklahomans for 25 years.


Enid receptionist copes with hearing loss to serve Youth and Family Services’ clients

Gallagher at her desk on the phone.

ENID, Oklahoma – Hearing loss can’t slow Denise Gallagher down. The busy receptionist at Youth and Family Services of North Central Oklahoma just doesn’t have time.

Gallagher greets 1,500 children and families each year and helps them navigate a range of services offered by 50 YFS staff in Enid, including 24 mental health counselors.

YFS operates an emergency youth shelter, outpatient and school-counseling programs, food pantries, a transitional living program for young adults ages 18 to 22, and drug and alcohol recovery programs.

Gallagher handles the YFS switchboard and helps clients reach their counselors and other staff.

Disability award winners honored at state Capitol

Woman hands document to man

OKLAHOMA CITY –– More than 830 Oklahomans with disabilities and supporters came to the state Capitol March 12 to celebrate the 24th People with Disabilities Awareness Day and honor disability award winners.

Those who were recognized by the Oklahoma Department of Rehabilitation Services included Meg Wingerter, a health reporter for The Oklahoman, who earned DRS’ he 2018 Excellence in Communication award.

DRS Commissioner April Danahy acknowledged Wingerter’s “well-researched and interesting stories about Oklahomans with disabilities and critical disability issues.”

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