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.

Go back in time with us with this classic press release - meet Carter Williams



This media release was originally released on July 21, 2015. DRS has been empowering Oklahomans for 25 years.


OKC Dodgers recruit customer service star through iJobs disability training program

Carter Williams holding a baseball

OKLAHOMA CITY - Carter Williams gets paid to rub dirt on new baseballs for the Oklahoma City Dodgers. Yes, that’s his job.

He also fills up buckets of ice for ice baths, scans tickets, ushers, stocks supplies and loads gear on “getaway day” when players head out of town.

Williams, age 18, is tall, blond and immediately likeable with a great, big smile.

DRS' 25th Anniversary celebration reception

25 Anniversary logo

The 25th Anniversary of the Oklahoma Department of Rehabilitation Services will be celebrated immediately following our July 9, 2018 Commission Meeting. This Commission meeting will be held at 10:30 a.m. at the DRS Disability Determination Services located at 9801 N. Kelley, Oklahoma City. Honorees will include the leaders at the time of our transition to an independent agency along with other important leaders. If you wish to attend please RSVP to 405 951-3400.

Ada native wants to put training, technology to work

Man uses sign language for the deaf at table with six small balls on rectangular object

ADA, Okla. – Donald Gore only missed six days in the fourteen years he worked at Folger’s Drive-In in Ada.

“I like to work and be on time,” Gore said. “It’s no fun to stay around the house and be bored.”

Problems with increasing vision and hearing loss led Gore to seek help from Roy Alexander, a vocational rehabilitation counselor for the Chickasaw Nation.

Gore, who has Usher Syndrome, is a member of the Chickasaw Nation.

Go back in time with us with this classic press release - meet Robert Girard



This media release was originally released on April 27, 1994. DRS has been empowering Oklahomans for 25 years.


Robert Girard named "Employee of the Quarter" for Dale Rogers training project at Tinker Air Force Base

Robert Girard in his work shirt from 1994

Robert Girard, a 1993 graduate of the School for the Deaf in Sulphur, recently earned a Dale Rogers Training Project “Employee of the Quarter” award for outstanding job performance at Vanwey Dining Hall, Tinker Air Force Base. Girard, who is employed by Dale Rogers as a food service worker, is a client and resident at the Transitional Living Center operated by the Oklahoma Department of Rehabilitation Services in Oklahoma City.

Co-workers and friends in Vanwey Dining Hall applauded as Girard, who is deaf and blind, accepted the award and responded through a sign language interpreter from the Transitional Living Center. Girard said, “I’m shocked. I’m just shocked! I didn’t know.”

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