Maria McClung of Tulsa receives commendation from Governor Mary Fallin
Library: News Release
Developmental Disabilities Services Division
Phone: (405) 521-4972 Fax: (405) 522-3037
Email: AnnDee.Lee@okdhs.org
Oklahoma City – Maria McClung of Tulsa 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.
Maria McClung is a joy to be around and lights up the room with her presence. She started working at the Firstwatch Restaurant in May 2009 and has made new friends, remembers everyone’s name and really looks forward to going to work. Because of her great attitude and smile, she has won the hearts of management and coworkers alike. Maria likes to show everyone her painted nails, new haircuts, new outfits and handbags.
Previously Maria lived for 38 years at Woodland Park Nursing Home. She is experiencing a new life in the community and everyone that comes in contact with her is blessed.
The Governor’s Disability Employment Awards are co-sponsored by the Office of the Governor; The Developmental Disabilities Services Division of the Oklahoma Department of Human Services (OKDHS); The Department of Rehabilitation Services, and The Oklahoma Association of Persons in Supported Employment.
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.
