Oklahoma Rehabilitation Council

01/21/2025

We're just one week from our Careers in Demand Webinar on Tuesday, January 28, 2025, at 11 am CST. Register now at https://tinyurl.com/CareersInDemandWebinar. You must have a Zoom account to access the webinar!

The webinar will be presented by Sharon Harrison, EdD, Harrison Consulting Group Inc., and Taylor Rhoades, Director of Operations, Mercy. Sharon and Taylor will provide an overview of Oklahoma’s Industry Ecosystems and share about:

- Growing industries in the state
- In-demand occupations for the next five years
- Critical skills industries are looking for in their workforce

If you have questions about the webinar, please contact Carolina Colclasure at [email protected].

01/14/2025

NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING -

The 2025 Department of Rehabilitation Services (DRS) Proposed Administrative Rule Amendments - Public Hearing will be hosted in person at the DRS State Office or via Zoom.

The hearing is set for January 28, 2025, from 2:00 - 3:00 pm at the Department of Rehabilitation Services 2nd Floor Conference Room. For more information, visit the ORC website at https://bit.ly/4fLmi2n.

Download the DRS Public Hearing Notice document (Word).

01/10/2025

The Oklahoma Rehabilitation Council (ORC) and the Oklahoma Department of Rehabilitation Services (DRS) invite you to join us for the Careers in Demand Webinar on Tuesday, January 28, 2025, at 11 am CST.

Join us for an overview of Oklahoma’s Industry Ecosystems and hear our workforce experts share about:

- Growing industries in the state
- In-demand occupations for the next five years
- Critical skills industries are looking for in their workforce

The webinar will be presented by Sharon Harrison, EdD, Harrison Consulting Group Inc., and Taylor Rhoades, Director of Operations, Mercy.

Register now at https://tinyurl.com/CareersInDemandWebinar. You must have a Zoom account to access the webinar!

If you have questions about the webinar, please contact Carolina Colclasure at [email protected].

About the Presenters:

Sharon, a native of Northern Ireland, has lived and worked in Oklahoma for over 20 years. She has a long and established career in training and development and consulting. Sharon has worked in many industry sectors, including Hospitality and Tourism in the US and UK and finance in the US, and over the last fifteen years, she has focused on Manufacturing in Oklahoma. Sharon is the founder and President of Harrison Consulting, a Workforce and Training company. Harrison Consulting facilitates the Oklahoma Manufacturing Alliances Workforce strategies as the Vice President of Workforce Development and is responsible for focusing on facilitating employer-driven workforce solutions among manufacturers in partnership with key state stakeholders. In addition, Sharon and her team conduct workforce research, develop grant applications, and program implementation.

Taylor Rhoades is a distinguished healthcare leader renowned for his expertise in cardiology and healthcare administration. Since joining Mercy Ardmore in September 2021 as Director of Cardiology, Taylor’s exceptional leadership and commitment have propelled him to the position of Director of Operations, where he oversees multiple divisions, including Cardiovascular, Neuroscience, Respiratory Services, and Sleep Medicine. Beyond his operational duties, Taylor serves as Mercy’s Diversity Officer, actively promoting inclusivity in Oklahoma communities. He is instrumental in expanding the organization’s Pathway to Employment Program into Oklahoma City and Ada and spearheads leadership training initiatives with a focus on developmental disabilities. Furthermore, Taylor chairs the Diversity Advancement Council and mentors participants in the BIPOC mentoring program, which saw remarkable success in its inaugural cohort in 2023. Residing in Newcastle, Oklahoma, with his wife and three children, Taylor draws inspiration from his family in his pursuit of healthcare excellence and community engagement. His unwavering commitment to leadership, healthcare excellence, and community service distinguishes him as a prominent figure in healthcare management.

08/29/2024

Join the Down Syndrome Association of Central Oklahoma for a day of fun at the Down Syndrome Festival and 5K on September 28. The race will take place at the Myriad Botanical Gardens in Oklahoma City! Register for the event at https://bit.ly/475b6Ll.

07/12/2024

Join the Oklahoma Statewide Independent Living Council (SILC) and the Oklahoma City Mayor’s Committee on Disability Concerns (MCDC) for "OK, Let's Talk!" on August 2, 2024!

You’re invited to hear disability experts share their life experiences and best practices. Additionally, enjoy comedian Michael Beers, who will keep you entertained throughout the event.

The event will take place from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m. Light refreshments will be served. To learn more and register, visit the MCDC website at https://bit.ly/3Wd2yhs.

07/10/2024

The Department of Rehabilitation Services (DRS) Vocational Rehabilitation program is seeking an experienced vocational rehabilitation counselor in Muskogee.

Assigned responsibilities include performing complex professional work in program consultation and monitoring; guidance and counseling; client training; and specialized job placement for the vocational rehabilitation of individuals with physical or mental disabilities, blindness, or visual impairments.

Pay is dependent on the level of experience. To learn more and apply for the position, visit the DRS website at https://bit.ly/3zzLpWJ.

Job Posting Title Vocational Rehabilitation Spec Agency 805 DEPARTMENT OF REHABILITATION SERVICES Supervisory Organization Dept Rehabilitation Services Job Posting End Date (Continuous if Blank) Note: Applications will be accepted until 11:59 PM on the day prior to the posting end date above. Estima...

06/27/2024

The Oklahoma State Department of Education (OSDE) is hiring a full-time Specialist for the Pathways to Partnerships grant!

As a Specialist on the "Pathways to Partnership" grant, you will be an important part of the OSDE mission to help Oklahoma students with disabilities transition from high school to life after graduation. You will provide training, support, and advice to school district staff, helping them better assist and support these students during this important transition.

The qualifications for this role include a bachelor's degree in special education, secondary transition, or a related field, 4 years of experience in special education at the secondary level in Oklahoma, and a Special Education teaching certificate.

To learn more about this role or to apply, visit the OSDE job posting at https://bit.ly/4cB5uKn.

Job Posting Title Specialist, Pathways to Partnerships Agency 265 DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION Supervisory Organization Department of Education–Oliver Hodge Education Building Job Posting End Date (Continuous if Blank) Note: Applications will be accepted until 11:59 PM on the day prior to the posting e...

05/14/2024

Join the Red River Higher Education Alliance (RRHE) for the Inclusive Postsecondary Education Summit on May 17, 2024, in Denton, TX!

Sessions include:
• Parent Support & Resources
• Health & S*x Education for IPSE Students
• Social Supports & Inclusion
• Outreach that Impacts Program Development
• How to Build & Maintain a Successful On-Campus Mentor Program
• IPSE Student Panel
• and more!

Register for the summit at https://bit.ly/44FuGww

04/26/2024

Oklahoma ABLE Tech wants to share the experiences of people who use assistive technology at work! Check out the post, and let them know if you’d like to participate!

We need your help! Are you an individual who has used assistive technology for school or work? Oklahoma ABLE Tech is looking for people who have used screen readers or closed captions, struggle with small text, or who have color blindness and would be willing to share their experiences by recording a short video.

These recordings would be used in an online course to teach participants about the importance of digital accessibility. Participants will be compensated! If you are interested in helping with this project or have questions, please email the digital accessibility team at [email protected].

03/15/2024

Join the Epilepsy Foundation at the 2024 Oklahoma State Walk to End Epilepsy on April 6! The event will take place at E.C. Hafer Park in Edmond. To learn more about how to register in-person or virtually, create a team, or donate to the foundation visit https://bit.ly/3Veup0V!

I just signed up for the with ! Join me in making a difference for the epilepsy community today. Every mile walked makes an impact for the 3.4+ million Americans living with .

03/11/2024

Join the Down Syndrome Association of Central Oklahoma for a World Down Syndrome Day Luncheon on March 21 at the Central Oklahoma Homebuilders Association in OKC! The theme is "Knock Your Socks Off!"

DSACO's self-advocates will be doing all of the presentations and leading a special performance, so you definitely do not want to miss out.

Register on the Down Syndrome Association of Central Oklahoma website at https://bit.ly/3uS2SHT.

03/08/2024

ORC Program Manager Carolina Colclasure and council member Shelley Gladden recently attended People with Disabilities Awareness Day, hosted by the Oklahoma Department of Rehabilitation Services at the Oklahoma History Center. They had a great time networking and chatting with folks from all over the state.

ORC was also a sponsor of the event, which allowed all attendees free admittance to the Oklahoma History Center Exhibit space.