Preston Brown of Broken Arrow receives commendation from Governor Mary Fallin

Oklahoma City – Preston Brown of Broken Arrow received a commendation from Governor Mary Fallin on October 10 during the Governor’s Disability Employment Awards at the Governor’s Mansion in Oklahoma City.

Preston Brown is a true success story. Before this shy and humble young man started working at Wal-Mart, he had no self-confidence, no friends, couldn't pass a driver's test, and even though he graduated from high school, could not read. Since working, he has passed his driver's test, gotten a car, made very good friends that he hangs out with several times a week, and has made arrangements with the Adult Literacy Program through the Public Library to get help to read. He no longer relies on others to get him back and forth to work and enjoys his independence to have fun, help his community and build relationships.

Since working at Wal-Mart, Preston consistently gets compliments from co-workers, managers and customers for his good work at Wal-Mart. He has helped to train new employees and goes above and beyond to help disabled customers by bringing the electronic carts to their cars so they don't have to come into the store to retrieve them. He never misses work and is always available to pitch in and help when needed. Preston is an inspiration to others to not give up.

Rep. Jason Nelson of Oklahoma City offered welcoming remarks at the awards ceremony and announced that October is national Disability Employment  Awareness Month. “It is employees and businesses like these that have put Oklahoma at the forefront in the nation for helping people with disabilities find jobs and become working taxpayers,” said Nelson who serves as chairman of the House Human Services Sub-Committee on Appropriations and Budget.

“In Oklahoma, 60% of individuals with developmental disabilities served by the OKDHS Developmental Disabilities Services Division participate in supported employment services as compared to the national average of 20.1%.”

Rep. Nelson added that it was important to recognize the skills that people with disabilities bring to our workforce. “Their talents and contributions are vital to the strength of our state, our nation's workforce and our future prosperity,” said Nelson.

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Editors Note: Go to http://www.statedata.info/ (Link opens in new window) to see Oklahoma’s ranking as compared to other states in regard to the numbers of persons with developmental disabilities in competitive jobs (supported employment). This website is a project of the Institute for Community Inclusion at UMass Boston, supported in part by the Administration on Developmental Disabilities, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services under cooperative agreement with additional support from the National Institute on Disability and Rehabilitation Research of the U.S. Department of Education.

Preston Brown (left) receives a Governor’s Commendation for his outstanding achievements in employment from Rep. Jason Nelson. The award was presented during the Governor’s Disability Employment Awards of Excellence at the Governor’s Mansion on October 10.