People with Disabilities Awareness Day 2010
The Winning Strategy
Wednesday, April 7, 2010
State Capitol
8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.
Register at the event.
Pre-registration is closed.
Watch the People with Disabilities Awareness Day video
“The Winning Strategy”
People with Disabilities Awareness Day at the State Capitol gives people with
disabilities and advocates like you a chance to talk with decision-makers who
can preserve or expand services that make a critical difference in the lives of
Oklahomans with disabilities. Last year, 700 people participated in this free
event, which is hosted by the Oklahoma Department of Rehabilitation Services and
friends. As part of “The Winning Strategy” for 2010, our goal is for 75 percent
of Awareness Day participants to visit state senators and representatives or
their staff on April 7. Volunteers will be available to take you on legislative
visits and provide other assistance.
People with Disability Awareness Day Celebrity Guest
Best-selling author, inspirational speaker and Emmy Award-winning
Narrative
Television Network (NTN) President Jim Stovall will be our celebrity guest and keynote
speaker. NTN describes onscreen action in movies and TV, making programs
accessible for 13 million individuals who are blind or visually impaired in the
U.S. and 11 other nations. Despite failing eyesight and eventual blindness, Jim
Stovall has been recognized by the President’s Committee on Equal Opportunity as
the Entrepreneur of the Year and by the U.S. Chamber of Commerce as the
Businessperson of the Year. For more information, visit
NTN.
Register now
Please help us plan for the event by registering here. We will look up your state senators and representatives and have that information for you when you check in on the first floor of the State Capitol on People with Disabilities Awareness Day.
Plan Ahead
Due to state budget cuts and the economic slowdown, lunch will not be provided this year. Please join us, but plan to eat lunch on your own at the Capitol Snack Bar, brown bag it or visit one of Oklahoma City's many restaurants after the event is over at 12:30 p.m.
Know where and when
More than 60 volunteers will support People with Disabilities Awareness Day 2010. You can tell your story to state legislators and staff and explain about the positive impact of critical disability programs. Nearly 50 outstanding exhibitors will share valuable information in the first and fourth rotundas (center areas) of the State Capitol. You can also meet Keynote Speaker Jim Stovall and unite with other disability advocates to address the growing needs of 600 thousand Oklahomans with disabilities.
8:00 a.m.—Registration / Check-In
1st Floor Rotunda
8:30 a.m.—Legislative Visits - 3rd, 4th & 5th Floors
—Exhibits Open – 1st
and 4th Floor Rotundas
11:30 a.m.—Welcome by DRS Director Mike O’Brien, Keynote Speech by Jim Stovall and
Awareness Day Awards Presentation with DRS Commissioners Ben C. White, Ray Kirk and Steve Shelton - 2nd Floor Blue Room
12:30 p.m. —
End of Event
How You can make a difference
Advocacy in action is what People with Disabilities Awareness Day is all about. But we can’t get that message
across without you! Attend this event, invite others to come and plan now to
visit your legislators. Experienced volunteers can demonstrate how legislative visits work and take you to talk to your legislators on a first come, first served basis. If legislative visits are new to you, call 405-951-3478 or e-mail
sburton@okdrs.gov, or ask for help at the registration desk.
Remember: The legislator's job is to be in committee meetings or on the
floor of the Senate or House of Representatives when state business is being
conducted. If your legislator is not in the office, please give your message
to the staff. Legislators depend heavily on their staff and often receive
information this way. We’ll have People with Disabilities Awareness Day
calling cards so you can leave written messages.
Tip: You have a better chance of talking to your legislator in person if you
call to make an appointment at least two weeks before Awareness Day.
Find out who your legislators are
here. Then call for appointments: Senate 800.865.6490. House of
Representatives: 800.522.8502.
Be seen, wear green!
To stand united, we encourage all to wear green on this day, if you can. When those who work at the capitol see a lot of people in the halls or rotunda all wearing disability-awareness green, our efforts have an even greater impact.
Learn more about the legislative process and issues
Keep up on the activities of our state and federal lawmakers with the Legislative Updates. You can also learn how to effect change with our lawmakers through the Oklahoma Rehabilitation Council's (ORC) Legislative Advocacy Toolbox. This has informative links to assist you in learning how to successfully advocate for people with disabilities or key issues important to them.
- Talking Points
- Legislative Updates
- ORC Legislative Toolbox's Tools and Templates
- ORC Legislative Toolbox's Effective Communications
Spread the news
Check out this year's PWDAD flyer. Help spread the word and send it to all your friends. Tell them how important it is to inform our state legislators about the issues that affect the disability community and for all of us to stand united.
Exhibitor Information
People with Disabilities Awareness Day always has great exhibits with a vast assortment of information. Due to limited space, booths are by invitation only and free of charge. Go to the Exhibitors' page or contact Dana Tallon at 800.845.88476 for unloading and set up information.
Where to park?
Please park on the south side of the State Capitol. Accessible parking is located at the base of the south steps. Overflow parking is available at the Jim Thorpe Building west of Lincoln Blvd.
