Important Information from the Oklahoma Developmental Disabilities Council

The Oklahoma Developmental Disabilities Council has recently updated their website. They now offer several excellent publications in PDF format that can be downloaded or printed directly from their website. Here are 3 don't miss items: The Consumer Involvement Fund - The Oklahoma Developmental Disabilities Council annually sets aside funds to assist advocates in the field of developmental disabilities to participate in conferences and short-term educational programs. That means that parents who want to attend educational workshops and conferences can apply for financial assistance to help cover the cost. Check out the brochures for all the details.
Watch Your Words - If you've ever gotten frustrated because someone spoke about your child or student with special needs in a disrespectful way ......this is the educational tool you've been looking for. Click here to find this basic tutorial on Person First Language.
Tips for First Responders - This file contains a set of cards designed specifically for police, fire and emergency medical personnel for use in their vehicles. The cards contain helpful information about how to recognize and respond appropriately to people with disabilities. This may be life saving information for someone you love....do the first responders in your community know what to do? Click here to print them a copy
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2008 Governor's Conference on Developmental Disabilities

Mark Your Calendars!

The 2008 Governor’s Conference on Developmental Disabilities will be held April 10th & 11th at the Cox Convention Center in OKC.

You won’t want to miss this great conference or the premiere of the documentary “Wagons to Waivers: A Century of Change”, narrated by Reba McEntire.

Look for more information soon. Registration will be available online in March through a link on the OKDHS Website at http://okdhs.org

Developmental Disabilities Awareness Day 2008

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 10:00 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://www.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.

This will be a wonderful chance for families to be heard. Please share this event with other families in your area that may not be aware of it. And if Sooner SUCCESS has touched your lives, please mention it to your legislatiors. Only nine counties in Oklahoma currently have a Sooner SUCCESS coalition and there are many more families across our state in need of support!

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 ---http://www.uwyo.edu/wind/cpac/images/pdf/pdf_coloring_book.pdf