Picture of various people with arms in air waving. Happy smiling. One young man in front in a wheel chair.
Oklahoma Pledge

Office of Disability Concerns

Spring 2014

March, 2014



PPicture showing P T S D over the common symptoms of PTSD.
TSD is a psychiatric disorder that can 
occur after experiencing or witnessing of 
a life- threatening event such as military 
combat, natural disasters, terrorist 
incidents, serious accidents and personal 
attacks such as a rape. In the last few 
years, however, PTSD diagnoses are 
appearing with increasing regularity in 
employment lawsuits.

Even in those cases that involve a 
traumatic event such as a personal assault, 
however, relevant data indicates that 
PTSD is not an inevitable outcome, and 
that only a relatively small proportion of 
individuals exposed to such an event will 
actually develop PTSD symptomatology. 
From the medical perspective, PTSD has 
an estimated prevalence of 1 to 9 percent 
in the general population, with somewhat 
higher rates in women of 12 to 14 percent.

1. This occurs despite observations that 
well over half of all Americans (60.7 
percent of men and 51.2 percent of 
women) report having been exposed to 
at least one significantly traumatic event 
in their lives. 
2. The likelihood of developing PTSD is 
far greater, however, for women who 
experience a sexual assault such as a 
rape or an attempted rape.
3. The Department of Veterans Affairs 
estimates that 11 percent of veterans 
returning from Afghanistan suffer from 
PTSD while this is true for 20 percent 
of veterans returning from Iraq.
4. Even 7 percent to 8 percent of civilians 
are estimated to develop PTSD at some 
point in their lives. 


With so many people possibly inflicted 
with PTSD, it can hurt productivity, 
especially when considering the 
syndromeÕs symptoms.

Common PTSD symptoms include 
detachment from others, insomnia, anger 
outbursts and guilt. These symptoms 
typically make it more difficult to work 
with others and can cause cognitive 
problems, such as lack of concentration 
and memory issues, leading to poor 
productivity.

Crowds and other environmental stimuli, 
such as auditory stimuli, can trigger 
flashbacks and other troubling symptoms. 
If you have an employee with PTSD who 
wants to be isolated and stay away from 
those environmental stimuli, he or she 
might call in sick more often, so now 
you have productivity problems because 
theyÕre not at work.

To help employees deal with PTSD and 
improve productivity, an employer should 
create a flexible, caring environment. 
For example, if an employee needs time 
during the day to see a psychologist, the 
manager should be flexible with that 
employeeÕs schedule. In other cases, a 
supervisor should consider allowing that 
employee to work remotely or even on 
a part-time basis to help deal with the 
stress. Not one accommodation works for 
every worker suffering from PTSD, and a 
manager should be open to determining 
the best solution for that particular 
employee.

It takes a lot of courage to talk to HR or a 
supervisor and admit to having symptoms 
of PTSD. The best solution is having 
that manager or the HR person being 
very sensitive and confidential about that 
information and willing to ask what can 
be done to accommodate that employeeÕs 
health in order to stay at work. Each case 
is will be different.

An employer should keep in mind that as 
part of the Americans With Disabilities 
Act, an employee is not mandated to 
reveal a diagnosis of PTSD, but he or 
she must notify the employer of PTSD if 
accommodations are required in order to 
perform essential job duties. Once that 
employee notifies the employer he or 
she has PTSD, the employer can ask that 
employee undergo a medical examination 
if it is necessary for the job. This typically 
happens once the employee with PTSD 
experiences an incident that could place 
doubt on his or her ability to safely return 
to work.

Promising PTSD accommodations:

1. Flexible work schedules and/or job 
sharing with another employee
2. Schedule-reminders (telephone, 
pagers, alarm clocks)
3. Scheduled rest breaks to prevent 
stimulus overload and fatigue
4. Work task checklists, clipboards and 
tape recorders as memory aids
5. Stop watches or timers for time 
management
6. Job coaches who make frequent, 
scheduled site visits
7. White noise or environmental 
sound machines (to help eliminate 
distractions)
8. Mentoring by a co-worker or retired 
worker
9. Providing encouragement, moral 
support and a listening ear
10. Understanding that PTSD and 
symptoms of any psychological 
condition may ebb and flow, and that 
the person may experience good days 
and more challenging days
11. Support for pursuing treatment and 
assistance, even during work hours. 


Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder 



Logo for Able Tech. Able Tech over a map of Oklahoma.
LiLogo for Oklahoma State University Department of Welness
ve Well 

Assistive tech aid available

Linda Jaco

Do you, or someone you know, need 
to purchase assistive technology or 
medical equipment because of an injury 
or newly acquired medical condition?

Oklahoma ABLE Tech is reaching 
out to Oklahomans with a disability 
to inform them of a special federally 
funded program called the Alternative 
Financing Program. The 
program provides low-interest 
bank loans to purchase 
needed assistive technology 
or other medical equipment 
and adapted vehicles or home 
modifications.

ÒThe program offers a unique 
opportunity for individuals 
who otherwise may not be 
able to afford the technology 
or equipment they need,Ó said Shelley 
Gladden, Oklahoma ABLE Tech Loan 
Coordinator.

Oklahoma ABLE Tech, in partnership 
with the Oklahoma Assistive 
Technology Foundation and BancFirst 
of Stillwater, has assisted more than 100 
Oklahoma residents with the purchase 
of needed AT totaling more than 
$460,000 this past year.

ÒMost of these individuals would not 
have qualified for a bank loan due to 
previous bankruptcy, lack of collateral, 
or poor income-to-debt ratio; but 
with OkATÕs guaranty and assistance, 
they were able to purchase needed AT, 
with affordable monthly payments, and 
maintain greater independence in their 
community,Ó said Gladden.

One Oklahoman, whom the program 
assisted, is a resident with amyotrophic 
lateral sclerosis. After being diagnosed 
with ALS, he soon realized his need for 
specialized AT which caused a financial 
burden for him and his family. Through 
the program, he was able to apply for and 
finance a wheelchair accessible van.

The purchase of the vehicle has helped 
him to live and work more independently.

ÒNothing in life prepares a person for 
suddenly dealing with a newly acquired 
disease that requires specialized 
equipment, and for the cost of each 
piece,Ó he said. ÒThe purchase of the 
van allows me greater freedom of 
movement as well as the ability to 
continue to work and travel with my 
family.Ó

Others, who have benefited 
from this valuable program, 
have purchased hearing aids, 
vision equipment or modified 
a bathroom to make it more 
accessible to a wheelchair user.

The program is available to 
all Oklahoma residents with a 
disability or those that care for 
a dependent with a disability, 
who meet the qualifying terms 
and repayment obligations. For more 
information, contact Shelley Gladden 
with Oklahoma ABLE Tech at 405-744-
4254 or visit www.okabletech.okstate.
edu.

Linda Jaco is director of sponsored 
programs for the Oklahoma State 
University Department of Wellness.

See more at: http://www.stwnewspress.
com/local-columnists/x1984788973/
Live-Well-03-16-14#sthash.SbJka4se.
dpuf

AbleTech

OSU - Department of Wellness

Logo for the Oklahoma Health Care Authority
Oklahoma Health Care 
Authority Ð SoonerRide 
Program

SoonerCare medical appointments 
are usually scheduled weeks or 
sometimes months out with 
time to figure our transportation 
woes. SoonerRide is a free non-
emergency transportation program 
that can help you. Simply contact 
SoonerRide by calling toll-free 
877-404-4500 and TDD 800-
722-0353. You must call three 
business days in advance to ensure 
availability and reservations. 
SoonerRide Reservation hours are 
Monday through Friday, 7 a.m. 
to 6 p.m.; Saturday, 7 a.m. to 6 
p.m. For additional Sooner Ride 
information, and other Oklahoma 
Health Care Authority programs, 
please visit: 

https://www.okhca.org/individuals.
aspx?id=94&menu



Technology News

New and Exciting Things for the Disability Community

If you have a disability or injury you may use Colorful icture of a smart hone with a cloud of "APPS" above it.
a 
number of assistive devices or rehabilitation 
equipment to aid you in and around. Assistive 
devices are tools, products or types of 
equipment that help you perform tasks and 
activities if you have a disability, injury or are a 
senior. Assistive devices may help you move 
around, see, communicate, eat, or get dressed/
undressed.

Assistive devices for mobility/ambulation 
can also be referred to as ambulatory 
aids. Ambulatory aids (eg, canes, 
crutches, walkers) are used to 
provide an extension of the 
upper extremities to help 
transmit body weight and 
provide support for the user.

Assistive devices can help you 
improve your quality of life 
and maintain your sense of 
independence. Well designed high 
quality assistive devices, or daily 
living aids, that support 
independent living for 
the handicapped and 
disabled, seniors, 
or those with a 
medical condition 
or injury should make life easier and safer 
for the aged and disabled. AT promotes 
greater independence by enabling people 
to perform tasks that they were formerly 
unable to accomplish, or had great difficulty 
accomplishing, by providing enhancements 
to or changed methods of interacting with the 
technology needed to accomplish such tasks.

An assistive device could be a wheelchair, 
reacher, or a disability product that allows you 
to use a computer. If you experience difficulties 
performing certain tasks itÕs possible that an 
assistive device can help you overcome your 
problems. Other Disability Aids Include:

¥ Advanced technology walking products 
to aid people with disabilities, such as 
paraplegia or cerebral palsy, who would not 
at all able to walk or stand.
¥ Standing products to support people with 
disabilities in the standing position while 
maintaining/improving their health.
¥ Seating products that assist people to sit 
comfortably and safely.
¥ Walking products to aid people with 
disabilities who are able to walk or stand 
with assistance.
¥ Wheeled mobility products that enable 
people with reduced mobility to move freely 
indoors and outdoors.
¥ Certain devices, such as eyeglasses and 
hearing aids obviously require an expertÕs 
assessment, but many assistive devices 
for the enhancement of daily life such as 
wheelchairs, walkers, bath seats and grab 
bars are easily obtainable in general and 
specialty stores including online disability 
product websites.


You will also find pharmacy personnel are 
usually quite happy to provide information 
on a variety of other assistive products like 
magnifying glasses, bath seats, joint support 
bandages, pill organizers, canes, etc. While 
specialty computer stores often carry items 
like screen reading software that include 
screen enlargement features for persons 
with vision impairments. Voice 
recognition systems, modified 
keyboards and computer 
mice are also available for 
people with mobility and 
dexterity limitations.

When selecting assistive 
technology products for 
computers, it is crucial to find the 
right products that are compatible 
with the computer operating 
system and programs on 
the particular computer 
you will be using.

This is a very 
exciting time for new 
developments in assistive technology. Not only 
are existing AT programs regularly updated, 
but new and previously unseen technology is 
on-route to improve accessibility for persons 
with disabilities. With the advent of e-book 
and tablets, there could be another wave 
of new methods for people with learning 
disabilities and other conditions to access 
e-books and books. While not all of the 
devices have text-to-speech capability, some 
of them do, and if it proves useful, other 
producers of e-book readers will probably 
follow suit and adopt that utility in the near 
future.

Current estimates, more than 4,000 assistive 
technologies have been designed for the 
disabled and seniors. These devices include 
everything from wheelchairs to a wide 
assortment of high-tech tools and many 
companies today are turning their research 
and development to assistive technologies.

If you think you could benefit from using 
an assistive device, start by consulting a 
health care professional, such as your doctor, 
pharmacist, or an occupational therapist. Find 
out what is available to suit your needs. You 
can also obtain information about assistive 
devices from catalogs and seniorsÕ magazines. 
DonÕt let your disability or sensory loss 
infringe on your lifestyle, especially when 
tools and devices exist to help you overcome 
these obstacles.

My Ride Statewide logo. with a Oklahoma Map.
Executive Order 13330 signed by President Bush 
on February 24, 2004, established the new 
Inter-agency Transportation Coordinating 
Council on Access and Mobility, chaired by the 
Secretary of Transportation, Norman Y. Mineta. 
An outgrowth of this was United We Ride.

The GovernorÕs Oklahoma United We Ride 
Council was created by Executive Order 2006-
20 by Governor Brad Henry. The Council was 
continued in Executive Order 2008-31; Bylaws 
were adopted on November 20, 2008. The 
Council was continued in Executive Order 2011-
10 by Governor Mary Fallin.

In fulfilling its purpose, the Council initiated a 
strategic planning process that sought to identify 
priorities and develop processes to identify 
needs and potential solutions for increased 
effectiveness of transportation coordination. 
Council members have been actively involved 
in regular meetings, transportation conferences, 
and seminars throughout the state, region, and 
nation, relaying current program status and 
information regarding OklahomaÕs community 
transportation coordination. The Council has 
now revised its strategic plan and developed a 
Marketing and Outreach Plan for implementing 
that plan. 

Initial funding for Oklahoma United We Ride 
was provided by the United States Department of 
Transportation Federal Transit Administration 
(FTA). Subsequent program funding was 
provided through an Inter-agency Agreement 
between the Oklahoma Department of Human 
Services (OKDHS), Oklahoma Health Care 
Authority (OHCA), and Oklahoma Department 
of Transportation (ODOT). Oklahoma 
Department of Rehabilitation Services is the 
lead agency on coordinating the activities of the 
Council. 

Vision Statement - Create an Oklahoma 
transportation system that supports/meets the 
needs of all Oklahoma citizens including older 
adults, people with disabilities and low income 
individuals.

Mission Statement - UWR will Partner in the 
development, outreach, and marketing of the 
Oklahoma Mobility Management Network with 
the understanding that public awareness of 
existing transportation services has the potential 
to help Oklahomans meet their transportation 
needs.

Check them out at

http://www.ok.gov/unitedweride/



CAP sign showing the Cleinet Assistace Program saying "CAP works with you to communicate with State VR, Higher Ed, Tribal VR and Independent Living
Client Assistance Program 

CAP

IÕm William with the Client Assistance Program. 
Need some information about going to work in the 
job of your choice? Contact CAP (client assistance 
program), and weÕll talk to you about what you 
want to do and how you can get the supports you 
need to do it. Are you a client of the Department of 
Rehabilitation Services, an independent living center, 
or a student in secondary or higher education? We 
can talk to you about your concerns and advocate 
for your needs. Call 405-521-3756 and follow the 
prompts. IÕm a fingertip away.

A humorous picture of cowboy in a convertible with a steer in the passenger side.
Travel the US without leaving Oklahoma!

Our towns & far away places:

Cleveland, Oklahoma 

Town site owner Willis 
H. Herbert lost out to the 
president of the United States 
shortly after Pawnee CountyÕs 
largest town was platted with 
the opening of the Cherokee 
Outlet in 1893. 

Orlando, Oklahoma

This small town began with 
the Oklahoma land rush of 
April 22, 1889 and boasted a 
somewhat restless population 
of 60,000 people. Now a small 
town of less than 200, thereÕs 
not a single cartoon mouse in 
sight.

Miami, Oklahoma 

Named for a small Indian 
tribe living on the site in the 
nineteenth century, this town 
began in 1891. ThereÕs not 
any oceanfront property here, 
but residents are still proud of 
their town.

Pittsburgh, Oklahoma 

While this town never 
manufactured automobiles, it 
is known as a one-time coal 
mining center. First developed 
in 1903 as Edwards, for 
coal operator J. R. Edwards, 
it changed its name to 
Pittsburgh after the county 
name.

Chattanooga, Oklahoma

Now a dwindling farming 
community, the town began 
in 1903 on a now-abandoned 
branch line of the Rock Island 
railroad. It was presumably 
named to honor the Tennessee 
city of that same name.

Peoria, Oklahoma 

Now an almost deserted 
settlement that commemorates 
another of the small Indian 
tribes settled in the extreme 
northeast corner of Indian 
Territory. The Peoria word 
means Òcarrying a pack on his 
back.Ó

Burbank, Oklahoma 

Once a booming oil city, the 
small town began in 1903 
as an Osage settlement. The 
town took itÕs name from the 
profusion of cockle burs in the 
area.

Fargo, Oklahoma

Another small farming 
community, Fargo was 
established in 1893 as 
Whitehead. Since that time, 
Fargo has changed names 
several times, becoming 
Oketa in 1901, and finally to 
Fargo in 1905. The townÕs 
name is presumably named 
for the famed western express 
company, Wells Fargo.



Folds of Honor Foundation 

2014 - 15 Scholarships

The Folds of Honor Foundation is an 
Oklahoma based unique, and committed 
organization aiding military families 
during difficult times. In 2007 the 
foundation opened its doors assisting 
families affected by loss of a loved one. 
Currently (FOHF) is now accepting 
2014 Ð 2015 Scholarship applications. 
All scholarship participants must meet 
eligibility requirements such as be the 
spouse, a dependent of any service 
member killed, or service connected 
disability (at least-10%). There are 
three scholarship programs, and all 
scholarship-document information is 
due by Wednesday, April 30, 2014. To 
apply or learn more, please visit: https://
scholarships.foldsofhonor.org/

Free Newspapers Ð National 
Federation of the Blind

News is happening all around us, so 
be informed and be connected to The 
National Federation of the Blind NFB-
Newsline (Voice of the NationÕs Blind). 
NFB provides FREE Newspaper service 
for those with vision impairments. For 
more information, please visit: https://nfb.
org/audio-newspaper-service. NFB is 74 
years strong helping people nationwide 
achieve independence. To become a 
member, please visit: https://nfb.org/how-
join

What Every Parent Needs to 
Know about Special Education 

Parents and school administratorsÕ agree 
all children deserve a quality education. 
The Individuals Disabilities Education 
Act of 1975 (IDEA) is a Special Education 
Law designed to assist each child with 
disabilities in public schools. The National 
Center for Learning Disabilities, Laura 
Kalboi, policy advisor at the (NCLD) 
discuss how to request an evaluation, 
please visit: http://www.ncld.org/parents-
child-disabilities/ld-testing 

To learn more about Individualized 
Education Plan (IEP), 504 Plan, and other 
topics please visit (NCLD) http://www.
ncld.org/students-disabilities/iep-504-
plan The Oklahoma State Department of 
Education Special Education Instruction 
page offers a wide range information 
for parents and teachers, please visit: 
http://www.ok.gov/sde/special-education 
ParentsÕ you are your childÕs voice and 
best advocate.

Tips to make your next event 
accessible to all:

1. Ramps and lifts - Make sure your event 
is held in a location that has wheelchair 
access Ð preferably through the same 
door as everyone else. Sketchy back 
entrances barely count as accessible. 
2. Accessible transportation - If you 
are offering transportation to and 
from your event, make sure that it is 
accessible and safe. 
3. Getting in the door doesnÕt mean the 
job is done - Hallways need to be wide 
enough for wheelchair users to pass 
through Ð and keep in mind that once 
a lot of people are in the hallway, itÕs 
going to be harder, so plan accordingly. 
Rooms need to be spacious enough for 
wheelchair users and those with other 
mobility aids to maneuver easily.
4. Designate a quiet room - Many 
conferences have a designated ÒQuiet 
RoomÓ where people who are feeling 
overwhelmed can go calm down. 
5. Have materials available in a variety of 
formats - Have your materials available 
in Braille, audio and digital versions to 
cover all your bases and have attendees 
choose which type of material theyÕd 
prefer. In addition, be sure that all your 
signage is in Braille as well as print.
6. Ban flash photography and strobe lights 
- Flash photography and strobe lights 
can trigger seizures and migraines. 
7. Make your event fragrance free - 
People with certain types of sensory 
impairments are extremely sensitive to 
smells. 
8. Have a variety of food options available 
- Some people are picky eaters or others 
have conditions like diabetes and Celiac 
Disease that make eating certain foods 
impossible. Some people have sensory 
issues that prevent them from eating 
foods with certain textures. Whatever 
the reason, make sure your menu has an 
array of options for everyone. 


This is by no means an exhaustive list. 
There are always things to be done to 
improve accessibility. But if you start with 
these tips, youÕre ahead of the game. AND 
more enjoyable and memorable to those 
that attend!


Office of Disability Concerns FaceBook page. Shows colored cogs of Career, Work Business, Life Family and Health with the Logo of the Office of Disability Concerns in the center.
Visit us on Facebook!

Office of Disability Concerns

We post frequently articles that may effect the community.

And donÕt forget to friend us!



Community Inclusion

Picture of a straight country road in Oklahoma. Blue Sky with white clouds. Red building in the distance.
Success in your Goals

Doug MacMillan

Our community defines our friends, our 
dreams and how we go about life. Life has 
many layers with complex relationships 
both internal and external. Our social 
network extends in many diverse 
directions and can at define who we are.

 

We all measure success differently 
and with degrees of importance. Our 
success does have some basic similar 
characteristics. These characteristics are 
how we interact within our community.

 

The community is much bigger than we 
can sometimes imagine. It bigger than our 
house or where we live, bigger than the 
town and even bigger than where we may 
work, want to work.

 

Inclusion is a term used by people with 
disabilities and other disability rights 
advocates for the idea that all people 
should freely, openly and without pity 
accommodate any person with a disability 
without restrictions or limitations of any 
kind. Although disability rights have 
historically existed as a relatively cohesive 
movement, the movement centered 
around inclusion has only recently begun 
to take shape and to position itself in the 
eyes of our community.

 

The ADA has taken our community a 
long way. The law requires reduction 
and elimination of barriers that may keep 
us from growing in our community and 
the interactions that define your social 
network. But a key component of the 
growth of your community is you.

 

The keys to success in our community are 
simple and straightforward. They apply to 
family, friends and work, our community. 
They are worth considering and self-
reflection.

 

1. Self-restraint -- the ability to allow 
time to evaluate a situation before 
speaking or acting on it.
2. Working memory -- the ability to 
hold information in memory while 
performing complex tasks.
3. Emotion control -- the ability to 
manage emotions in order to direct 
behavior and achieve goals.
4. Focus -- the capacity to maintain 
attention to a situation in spite of 
distractions.
5. Task initiation -- the ability to begin 
projects in a timely manner.
6. Planning/prioritization -- the capacity 
to develop a road map to reach a goal, 
knowing which are the most important 
signposts along the way.
7. Organization -- the ability to arrange 
materials or tasks according to a 
system.
8. Time-management -- the capacity 
to estimate the time required for a 
task, allocate it effectively and meet 
deadlines.
9. Defining and achieving goals -- the 
ability to set a goal and follow through, 
despite competing interests.
10. Flexibility -- the ability to revise plans 
due to setbacks or new information.
11. Observation -- the capacity to stand 
back and take a birds-eye view of 
yourself in a situation and make 
changes in your approach to problem-
solving.
12. Stress tolerance -- the ability to 
thrive under fire and in the face of 
uncertainty.


 

As a person with a disability you may be 
thinking, ÒI canÕt do that!Ó. But consider 
in your self-reflection that a weakness in 
one maybe overshadowed by your mastery 
of another. Or a perceived inability in one 
just takes practice and patience to master. 
Or another requires you to have a system 
to accommodate that success key.

 

A good example is that you may struggle 
remembering things. Perhaps a simple 
notebook to write things done and the 
development of a habit to not only writes 
them down, but also looks to reread them 
when needed.

 

When we carefully read these success 
factors, we can see that they will help us in 
what ever we are doing in the community. 
Each is valuable, important and will help.

 

You are the important part in the 
community. Inclusiveness begins with you 
to enable you to achieve your dreams and 
plans.



Black and white picture of a bridge in Rogers County off of old 88 crossing the Vertigris river. Named "Crybaby Bridge" by the locals. Classic 1930 construction, a historical site since its replacement with a new concrte bridge.
2401 NW 23rd St Suite 90

Oklahoma City, OK 73107