National Radio Personality Hockenberry to Discuss Disability Stereotypes

OKLAHOMA CAPITOL -- Nationally known television and radio journalist John Hockenberry will open a dialog on how attitudes and stereotypes in our society are affecting disability advocacy from 9:30 to 11 a.m., March 8 at the Embassy Suites, 2501 Conference Dr., Norman, Okla.

Hockenberry will explore how old attitudes are still affecting society, laws and advocacy. This lecture is the keynote address for the annual Governor’s Conference on Developmental Disabilities. He will share his personal perspective as someone who has used a wheelchair since the age of 19 following a car accident.

Hockenberry is a four-time Emmy Award recipient, has received three Peabody Awards, an Edward R. Murrow Award and a Casey Medal for reporting. He was a correspondent for Dateline NBC and continued to report for NBC through 2005. He is the author of Spokeman, a one-man, off-Broadway show and author of the novel A River Out of Eden. His radio show The Takeaway can be heard locally on KOSU public radio.

The next Practice and Policy Lecture Series will feature David Cutler, professor of applied economics at Harvard University. Cutler will discuss health reform April 8.

All lectures are sponsored by Oklahoma Department of Human Services Office of Planning, Research and Statistics and University of Oklahoma Center for Public Management. In addition, this lecture is sponsored by OKDHS Developmental Disabilities Services Division. This yearlong series provides thought-provoking presentations by experts in their fields on Oklahoma’s emerging policy issues, trends and best practices. The lectures are free and open to the public.

For additional information, visit web site​ (Link opens in new window) or contact Cecilia Tannehill at (405) 521-3552.

###