The Oklahoma Rehabilitation Council complies with the Federal Rehabilitation Act mandates through its strategic plan process and the following functions and related tasks.
The Mission of the Oklahoma Rehabilitation Council (ORC) is “To facilitate consumer education and empowerment, to assure services are of high quality, and lead to employment of individuals with disabilities within the state of Oklahoma.”
Advocacy Committee
Reviews, analyzes, and advises the designated state agency (DSA) on the Core Common Measures of Section 106 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, as amended, by the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA). Active participation in the Department of Rehabilitation Services (DRS) State Plan Meetings. The committee actively participates in the DRS Statewide Assessment and analyzes the trends of the Case Surveys.
Activities include, but are not limited to, advocacy and education, policy and State Plan review, and State Plan Public Hearings. Also, responsible for the reviewing/monitoring of pending and current disability-related legislation, particularly with respect to impact on funding; suggest/develop legislation as needed, and active participation in the DRS Policy Re-engineering Committee. Support DRS with both national and state efforts to enhance advocacy activities and services for Vocational Rehabilitation (VR) and Services for the Blind and Visually Impaired (SBVI) clientele.
Goal 1
In accordance with Section 105 (A)(c)(i) of the Rehabilitation Act, the Program and Planning Committee will meet quarterly, or as necessary, to review, analyze, and advise the Designated State Agency (DSA) on the performance measurements, client surveys, Statewide Assessment, and other relevant data.
Advocacy Committee Goal 1 Objectives
Objective 1.1 – Review, analyze, and advise the DSA regarding the performance of the State unit’s responsibilities, particularly related to:
- Eligibility, including order of selection;
- The extent, scope, and effectiveness of services provided; and
- Functions performed by DSA that affect or potentially affect the ability of individuals with disabilities to achieve employment outcomes.
Objective 1.2 – Advise the DSA regarding activities and assist in the preparation of the Vocational Rehabilitation (VR) portion of the State Plan, amendments to the plan, applications, reports, needs assessments, and evaluation.
Advocacy Committee Goal 1 Activities
Activity 1.1 – Develop, agree to, and review State Plan goals, priorities, and recommendations.
Activity 1.2 – Review and evaluate Field Coordinators’ data on the performance activities of the DSA at the quarterly ORC meetings.
Goal 2
The Advocacy Committee will support quality customer services, career planning, and effective employment.
Advocacy Committee Goal 2 Objectives
Objective 2.1 – Assist the DSA with the continued improvement of consumer satisfaction surveys and review survey outcomes.
Advocacy Committee Goal 2 Activities
Activity 2.1 – Review findings related to special programs conducted by the DSA and give recommendations for continued or improved quality of service.
Activity 2.2 – Serve as a repository for disability-specific groups. Make recommendations to the Oklahoma Rehabilitation Council for potential collaboration, partnership, and/or initiatives with disability-specific groups.
Goal 3
ORC staff will build capacity for consumer education and empowerment to showcase awareness and education for both consumers and employees.
Advocacy Committee Goal 3 Objectives
Objective 3.1 – Support DSA with disability-related legislation during the Oklahoma Legislative Session.
Advocacy Committee Goal 3 Activities
Activity 3.1 – Partner with DSA on “People with Disability Awareness Day (PWDAD)” by marketing the event, setting up an exhibitor booth, and participating in the legislative visits.
Activity 3.2 – Contribute participation and input with VR/SBVI Division Staff to ensure the DSA administrative rules align with the Rehabilitation Act, Oklahoma consumer needs, and employment outcomes.
Activity 3.3 – Provide public comment on administrative rule changes, promote consumer attendance at all public hearings, and distribute flyers with a summary of proposed changes and information on public hearings.
Activity 3.4 – ORC program manager will coordinate to share pertinent disability-related information and resources with the local district offices of Oklahoma’s U.S. Congress members, legislators, and ORC partners.
Executive Committee
Comprised of the State Rehabilitation Council chair, vice-chair, and three members-at-large. The Executive Committee also consists of the Associate Director and Director of Sponsored Programs of the Oklahoma State University’s Department of Wellness (OSU – DOWSP), who oversees the contractual administration of ORC. OSU – DOWSP’s Director and Associate Director ensure committees are assigned to meet the requirements of Section 105 of the Rehabilitation Act with regard to Public Hearings, State Plan, Comprehensive Needs Assessment, Customer Satisfaction, and Annual Report.
Goal 4
Maintain standing committees that address the goals and objectives outlined by ORC, the DSA State Plan, and the Rehabilitation Act (i.e., Policy and Legislative Committee, Program and Planning Committee, and Transition and Employment Committee). Every ORC member will serve on a committee(s).
Executive Committee Goal 4 Objectives
Objective 4.1 – Prepare and submit to the Governor and to the Secretary no later than 90 days after the end of the Federal fiscal year an annual report on the status of vocational rehabilitation programs operated within the State and make the report available to the public through appropriate modes of communication.
Objective 4.2 – Resources. The Council, in conjunction with the Designated State Agency, must prepare a plan for the provision of resources, including staff and other personnel, that may be necessary and sufficient for the Council to carry out its functions under this part. The resource plan must, to the maximum extent possible, rely on the use of resources in existence during the period of implementation of the plan. Any disagreements between the Designated State Agency and the Council regarding the amount of resources necessary to carry out the functions of the Council must be resolved by the Governor, consistent with paragraphs (i)(1) and (2) of this section. The Council must, consistent with State law, supervise and evaluate the staff and personnel that are necessary to carry out its functions. Those staff and personnel that are assisting the Council in carrying out its functions may not be assigned duties by the Designated State Agency or any other agency or office of the State that would create a conflict of interest.
Executive Committee Goal 4 Activities
Activity 4.1 – Meet with DSA Division Administrators and the State Director quarterly or as needed to maintain regular communication.
Activity 4.2 – As a Council vacancy opens, the Program Manager will recruit, recommend, and consult with the Governor’s Deputy of Appointments to ensure membership compliance with the Rehabilitation Act.
Activity 4.3 – ORC will partner with the Statewide Independent Living Council (SILC) and send at least one representative to the SILC quarterly meetings. It will also conduct an orientation session for the new SILC members on the role of ORC.
Activity 4.4 – ORC will continually review and update the ORC website.
Activity 4.5 – ORC will review and approve the Council’s strategic plan after the Strategic Planning meeting.
Activity 4.6 – ORC will continue to support the partnership between the DSA and Oklahoma Tribal Vocational Rehabilitation (OKTVR). ORC will also assist OKTVR with the planning of their activities.
Transition Committee
Committee members should actively participate in the Oklahoma Transition Council and support DRS with statewide efforts to enhance transition activities and services for youth in secondary settings to increase successful employment outcomes.
Goal 5
Facilitate the communication of transition services information and growth of partnerships between Tribal VR, DRS, Developmental Development Services (DDS), Oklahoma State Department of Education (OSDE), Oklahoma Department of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services (ODMHSAS), Career Tech, and other agencies and partners.
Transition Committee Goal 5 Objectives
Objective 5.1 – ORC staff will facilitate the communication of transition services information and the growth of partnerships between stakeholders within the state to support students with disabilities, their families, and support systems. The activities listed below are:
- Activity 1 – Facilitate an internal database of inclusive employers.
- Activity 2 – Disseminate the database, database new partners (e.g. Coalitions, Evolution Foundation’s list)
- Activity 3 – Increase the collection of personal emails from professionals who attend the Oklahoma Transition Institute and regional trainings to maintain a current email list for sharing DRS transition information, Pre-Employment Transition Services, and self-determination training and resources.
- Activity 4 – ORC staff will disseminate information about the summer programs, transition fairs, and other transition events Pre-ETS specialists, DRS, schools, and stakeholders host for students and families within the school districts across the state.
Objective 5.2 – ORC will highlight new resources, such as the DRS Transition newsletter and the Plan Your Way OK website. They will also continue raising awareness to support students and family engagement by sharing tools on self-advocacy, self-determination, effective transition programming, work-based learning, and competitive integrated employment (CIE).
- Activity 1 – Continue to disseminate resources, focusing on new partnerships.
- Activity 2 – Promote the new statewide transition website, Plan Your Way OK.
- Activity 3 – Disseminate the DRS and local educational agencies (LEAs) collaboration guide.
- Activity 4 – Assist with the dissemination of the revised transition folders to students, families, educators, support staff, VR counselors, and support systems.
Objective 5.3 – ORC will promote increased student and family involvement in transition planning by inviting transition students and families to share their transition experience and/or professionals (educators, VR counselors, and others) to share information (via a one-pager, virtually, video, in person, etc.) about transition programs (Pre – Emploment Transition Services (Pre-ETS), Building Employment Skills for Today (BEST), Summer Transition Employment Program (STEP), Project SEARCH, Visually Impaired and Blindness Empowerment (VIBE), Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM), Career Expos, etc.), including best practices at one of the ORC Quarterly meetings and in a brief video.
- Activity 1 – Facilitate short (1 to 3 minute) videos in conjunction with ORC presenters, the Down Syndrome Association of Central Oklahoma (DSACO), and DRS student spotlights.
- Activity 2 – Collaborate with family organizations and other partners to identify additional students and families willing to share their experiences.
Goal 6
Continue to work with DSA on the needs assessment of individuals with disabilities for transition career services and pre-employment transition services. Goal six will satisfy the final requirement listed in the VR Services portion of the Unified State Plan – Description – Statewide Assessment.
Transition Committee Goal 6 Objectives
Objective 6.1 – ORC will continue to collaborate with the DSA Process Improvement staff on the needs assessment instrument to determine the needs of students.
- Activity 1 – Annually review OSDE’s Special Education Child Count Data to study trends and report the DSA to have an awareness of future needs of both consumers and personnel.
Goal 7
Promote self-advocacy and self-determination resources for youth and their families to increase future opportunities for success.
Transition Committee Goal 7 Objectives
Objective 7.1 – ORC will promote self-advocacy and self-determination training and resources for students and their support systems to increase future opportunities for success by partnering with stakeholders within Oklahoma.
- Activity 1 – Support state-level student engagement by identifying youth advocates across the state.
- Activity 2 – Widely disseminate self-determination training and resources to partners utilizing listservs and the new personal email collection for Objective 5.1.
Objective 7.2 – ORC will assist in the development and dissemination of new resources to facilitate access to services for VR counselors, work skills trainers, pre-employment transition specialists, and other support systems, including the DRS and LEA Collaboration Guide and Student Spotlight videos.
Transition Committee Goal 7 Activities
Activity 7.1 – At the ORC Quarterly meetings, the program manager or the Transition Committee chair will remind attendees to send new resources to the program manager and Plan Your Way OK.
Activity 7.2 – The DRS Transition field representatives will add a question, “Talk about a time when you advocated for yourself or someone else,” to their interview questions when they interview for the monthly “Student Spotlight” to provide advocacy examples for students from students.
Employment Committee
The ORC Employment Committee will collaborate with DRS and its Business Services Program (BSP) to drive increased competitive integrated employment for people with disabilities, using innovative strategies and stakeholder partnerships.
Goal 8
Improve employment outcomes for Oklahomans with disabilities through innovation and partnerships.
Employment Committee Goal 8 Objectives
Objective 8.1 – Establish Industry Partnership Pilot programs – work with high-growth industries (e.g., healthcare, technology, manufacturing) to design and test pilot programs that provide training, apprenticeships, or internships for VR clients. These pilots will create new talent pipelines and connect Oklahomans with disabilities to career-track jobs while addressing employer workforce shortages.
Objective 8.2 – Implement Inclusive Employer Pledge & Recognition Program – Launch a statewide pledge campaign where businesses commit to inclusive hiring practices, and recognize top performers through an annual awards program. This initiative will both motivate employers and publicly celebrate companies leading the way in disability employment.
Objective 8.3 – Develop Disability Employer Scorecard – Create a data-driven tool to track the score the disability inclusion (e.g., hires, wages, retention) of employers. The scorecard will be reviewed quarterly and published annually to show progress, identify gaps, and promote accountability in meeting statewide employment goals.
Objective 8.4 – Establish Regional Employment Innovation Collaboratives (“Innovation Labs”) – Form regional teams of employers, BSP staff, VR counselors, workforce partners, and community organizations to co-design local solutions. These collaboratives will pilot innovative strategies like reserve job fairs or sector-specific bootcamps, then share successes statewide.
Objective 8.5 – Expand Employer Education, Training, and Mentorship Supports – Deliver ongoing training and resources to help businesses hire and retain people with disabilities. Activities include a training series, employer-to-employer mentor networks, and toolkits that give practical guidance on inclusive hiring and workplace accommodations.
Objective 8.6 – Launch Targeted Initiatives for Underserved Populations – Ensure equity in employment outcomes by focusing on rural Oklahomans, Tribal communities, minority populations, and individuals with the most significant disabilities. Strategies include supported employment pilots, rural job fairs, tribal partnerships, and tracking equity data.
Employment Committee Goal 8 Activities
Activity 8.1 – Industry pilots – Identify two key industries, co-design apprenticeships and training with BSP and employers, and launch at least one pilot program by mid-Federal Fiscal Year 2026 (FFY 2026). Success will be measured by hires, retention, and employer satisfaction.
Activity 8.2 – Employer pledge and recognition – Develop an inclusive employer pledge and disability hiring toolkit, recruit at least 50 employers to sign in the first year, and host an annual Inclusive Employer Awards event (possibly tied to People with Disabilities Awareness Day or National Disability Employment Awareness Month (NDEAM).
Activity 8.3 – Scorecard – Define baseline indicators (placements, wages, retention, engagement), review progress quarterly, and publish an annual “Disability Employer Report Card” highlighting successes and areas for improvement.
Activity 8.4 – Regional collaboratives – establish two regional “Innovation Labs”, hold quarterly meetings to co-design local solutions, and implement at least one pilot project per region (e.g. reverse job fairs, mock interview days, sector bootcamps).
Activity 8.5 – Employer education and mentorship – deliver a statewide Disability Inclusion Training Series, launch an Inclusive Employer Mentor Network with at least 10 employer pairs, and distribute an accessible Disability Hiring Toolkit to businesses.
Activity 8.6 – Underserved populations – expand supported employment/IPS programs, strengthen rural outreach through mobile/virtual job fairs, co-host events with Tribal VR programs, and use scorecard data to set and track goals across regions and populations.