Office of Disability Concerns We are here to help! The Oklahoma Office of Disability Concerns (ODC) helps negotiate that complex world of what it means to have a disability. Disability changes things, but it doesnÕt have to be a show- stopper. ODC listens, offers suggestions and assists people with disabilities in finding solutions. Call us toll free 800-522-8224 or email odc@odc.ok.gov. Additional information is available at www.odc.ok.gov. The ODC acts as a clearinghouse of information and technical assistance on state and federal laws affecting individuals with disabilities, businesses and other government entities, agencies and groups. Staff members of ODC serve on a variety of state and local boards, committees and working groups which all have a common goal of seeking ways to improve the lives of Oklahomans with disabilities. Acting as a liaison between the disability community and government to answer questions, coordinate available services and provide mechanism to establish constructive communication. To further advocate individuals with disabilities during their efforts to achieve employment, act as the Client Assistant Program to the Department of Rehabilitation Services. The ODC provides Disability Awareness training for state employees, continuing education for our states ADA coordinators and offers awareness training for private sector groups upon request. Quarterly ODC publishes a newsletter that is distributed statewide via both our website as well as printed delivery. The newsletter has informative information for a wide variety of our community. ODC also publishes awarding winning documents for our community. The Oklahoma Disability Etiquette Handbook, Oklahoma Disability Resource Guide, and The Road to Employment for People with Disabilities. Other supporting published documents include Housing for People with Disabilities in Oklahoma: A Resource Guide and The Book of Advocacy. All documents are provided to interested parties at no cost. ODC promotes October as the Disability Employment Awareness month. Our Governor will proclaim the month and supports a wide variety of activities to bring attention to this available and valuable resource to our states employers. In 2013, ODC is sponsoring, with several other agencies, a daylong event to promote employment by detailing that the road to wealth is not through social security but through a paying job. The dayÕs event is called ÒA paycheck & YOUÉWhy Work PAY$Ó. ODC also supports the GovernorÕs Committee on Employment of People with Disabilities acting as an advisory committee for the Governor. Promoting employment of people with disabilities with both support agencies and Oklahoma employers. Nearly 70% of people with disabilities who are of working age are unemployed. The ODC focuses efforts to assist Oklahomans with disabilities in job preparation and search efforts. We assist in job fairs, entrepreneur education for people with disabilities. We respond to employers and employees with disabilities to promote employee retention and hiring. Work with our Workforce partners on the pipeline. ODC is another resource for our schools and parents with children who have a disability. ODC is able to identify resources available to assist the youth in their transition from child to adult. Outreach to community is important. Our community is not just people with a disability, but also community resources, groups, agencies and employers. Also act as the resource for legislators to help them with their constituents on issues and requests for assistance. ODC maintains an information website that contains a wide variety of information for both people with a disability and the community as a whole. We ware expanding our social media presence to expand our message. What is our message? It is very simple, itÕs about creating an environment in which people with disabilities feel valued and respected. To bridge the gap that exists between people with disabilities and our world. We partner to create awareness about the great things that inclusion can bring. Follow US on Twitter! Find US and Friend us on Facebook! We are only a ... a phone call away ... an email away ... a visit away From you achieving your goals Office of Disability Concerns 2401 NW 23rd St Ste 90 Oklahoma City, OK 73107 (800) 522-8224 www.ok.gov/odc/ ODC@odc.state.ok.us Friend Us on Facebook!