"On The Road" Family Perspective Conferences

OASIS is sponsoring the following one-day conferences about services available from Oklahoma social service agencies and organizations. Conference speakers will provide information about how to access services for individuals with disabilities and their families. There is no fee to attend the conference, but registration is required. For information about receiving a respite voucher to attend either conference, call Sally Selvidge with OASIS at 1-800-426-2747.

Tuesday, February 26 – Burns Flat, OK – 8:30 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.
The conference will be held at the Western Technology Center-Burns Flat Campus, 621 Sooner Drive, Burns Flat, OK. The registration deadline is Friday, February 22, 2008. For more information or to register, call Jeanette Atha at (580) 323-2100 or Mike Kiser at (580) 832-3391 or Mike.Kiser@okdhs.org.

Tuesday, March 11 – Vinita, OK – 8:30 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.
The conference will be held at the Emmanuel Temple Church, 437551 East Highway 60, Vinita, OK. The registration deadline is Friday, March 7, 2008. For more information or to register, call Jonnie Morse at (800) 572-6844 or (918) 713-5000.

“You Need to Know Me”

Developmental Disabilities Awareness Day 2008
Wednesday, March 5th, 10 a.m.
State Capitol, south steps
N.E. 23rd St., Lincoln Blvd., Oklahoma City

Join people from around the state for a rally on the south steps of the State Capitol to celebrate Developmental Disabilities Awareness Day in Oklahoma. This is the day that people with developmental disabilities, families, advocates, professionals and providers join together to make their voices heard. It’s a great showing of strength and unity and a time to meet with your legislators about the issues that are important to you.

The day begins with speeches and a rally on the south steps at 10 a.m. Then you’re off to visit with your legislators. It’s a good idea to call your legislators now and encourage them to attend this event or schedule an appointment to visit with them sometime during that day. If you do not know who your legislators are, call your local county election board or visit http://lsb.state.ok.us/ and choose "Find Your Legislator".

Accessible parking is located at the base of the south steps of the capitol. Public parking includes the south lot of the capitol, a parking lot east of the capitol (across Lincoln Blvd. at 23rd St. and Phillips Ave) and at the neighboring Jim Thorpe Building. For more information on this event, call the Oklahoma Department of Human Services Developmental Disabilities Services Division at (405) 521-3571.

Special security precautions to be observed: Please be aware that our state capitol may be placed at an increased level of security at any time. When entering the capitol building, you will be required to pass through a metal detector and run all purses and other bags through an x-ray scanner. You may also be asked to show a government issued photo I.D. For people who do not have a photo I.D., the I.D. of the group leader or personal assistant will suffice. Picket signs are allowed outside the capitol building but cannot be brought inside.

Supporters and participants in Developmental Disabilities Awareness Day are: The Oklahoma Department of Human Services Developmental Disabilities Services Division, The Oklahoma Developmental Disabilities Council, Oklahoma Association of Persons in Supported Employment, Oklahoma Community-Based Providers Association, Oklahoma Network of Community Options and Resources, Oklahoma People First, TARC, and the Tulsa Community Services Council Alliance on Disabilities.

Disability awareness comes in many colors

For many parents and professionals it can be challenging to find effective ways to talk about inclusion and disability awareness with young children. But you know what? Sometimes we are just making it too hard.

The folks at the Wyoming Institute on Disabilities have got the right idea ..... just go back to what kids know & love. In this case, coloring! They have started a coloring book project and the first book is now available as a PDF download online.

The series features Sam and his friends as he learns about the differences and similarities between himself and his friends with disabilities. The first book focuses on a young boy who uses a wheelchair. Future books are planned with focuses on other types of disabilities such as blindness, cognitive disabilities, cerebral palsy, etc. The books are designed to help adults start discussions and to help kids understand that differences are just a natural part of life.

To check out the first coloring book, entitled "Play Ball" --- click here