Welcome to Oklahoma Department of Rehabilitation Services

Deaf Awareness Week take a moment and reflect

This week we like to stop and reflect on key things that are important to the Deaf community. American Sign Language is critical at live events and other gatherings. Captioning videos on websites and social media is a must. The Deaf have their own culture and traditions that need to be welcomed and respected.

Please allow us the opportunity to give a shout out to our counselors and technicians who work with clients who are Deaf on their road to employment. School staff who ensure our students who are Deaf receive a quality education. Our staff who work to ensure the ASL interpreters are certified and qualified for the Deaf.

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School for the Blind celebrates Western Heritage Day at Silver Spur Western Lodge in Haskell

MUSKOGEE – The Oklahoma School for the Blind will treat their students to a day on the ranch on Sept. 25 for Western Heritage Day.

Again this year, the Oklahoma Quarter Horse Association and Roy and Rose Anna Webb will sponsor the event from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Silver Spur Western Lodge.

“This is such a special time for the kids,” OSB Elementary Principal Shawna Coplen said. “This day is absolutely fabulous. It stimulates the students' senses and teaches them how wonderful these animals are.”

The Webb’s annually donate their Silver Spur rodeo arena, stagecoach, hay wagon and employees to ensure that students enjoy an authentic cowboy experience with educational impact.

Read more about OSB's Western Heritage Day

Leadership change at Oklahoma School for the Blind

OKLAHOMA CITY – Principal Brent Pearce will begin serving Aug. 23 as Interim Superintendent for the Oklahoma School for the Blind.

OSB is a division of the Oklahoma Department of Rehabilitation Services

Rita Echelle was hired in Aug. 2016 as the Oklahoma School for the Blind superintendent. She will retire effective Nov. 1.

“Superintendent Rita Echelle announced her impending retirement for Nov. 1, 2024. I want to thank Superintendent Echelle for her eight years of commitment to our Oklahoma School for the Blind. I wish her well,” Melinda Fruendt, Oklahoma Department of Rehabilitation Services executive director, said.

“OSB’s High School Principal Brent Pearce is the Interim Superintendent. I want to thank him for agreeing to include this role along with being the High School Principal.”

Oklahoma Library for the Blind and Physically Handicapped partners with Bethany Library to provide Braille

Oklahoma City – Oklahoma’s Library for the Blind and Physically Handicapped has partnered with Bethany Library to make sure children who are blind and visually impaired can read using braille during StoryWalks.

The Oklahoma Library for the Blind and Physically Handicapped provides braille transcription services to Oklahoma state agencies, and to various social service entities, nonprofits and others interested in making print materials more accessible for those who are blind or visually impaired.

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DRS Helped Me

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Five smiling women stand behind a store counter with words Feed me Gems on wall behind them.

Edmond jewelry designer’s passion for hiring workers with disabilities = business success

EDMOND, Okla. - If you ask Emily Nelson and Kacie Lowe why they love working at Feed Me Gems in Edmond, the coworkers and best friends will shout ‘Hannah!”

Their boss Hannah Barnthouse, a jewelry designer and business owner, hires a diverse team with and without disabilities to welcome customers to her upscale accessory shop.

Summer work program for youth with disabilities celebrates success

BETHANY, Okla. – Families and friends gathered August 6 at Bethany Public Library to celebrate the successes of young interns in the BEST STEP summer training and employment for students with disabilities.

Twenty BEST STEP participants, ages 16 to 21, from Bethany and Putnam City received awards at the event.

Read more about BEST STEP employment program

Americans with Disabilities Act has provided equality for the last 34 years

OKLAHOMA CITY – July 26 marks the 34th anniversary of the signing of the Americans with Disabilities Act.

This landmark civil rights legislation guarantees civil rights protection to people with disabilities. These rights are similar to those provided on the basis of race, sex, national origin and religion.

The ADA guarantees equal opportunity in employment, public services, public accommodations, transportation, state and local government services and telecommunications.

“We are all about total equality and antidiscrimination,” Melinda Fruendt, Oklahoma Department of Rehabilitation Services executive director, said. “A small amount of consideration can mean you have a great employee or more sales in your business – equality for everyone.”