Developmental Disabilities

Oklahoma Contacts

State Agency Responsible for Providing Services to the Developmentally Disabled

The Developmental Disabilities Services Division (DDSD), Oklahoma Department of Human Services, offers a wide array of services for individuals with developmental disabilities and their families. Services are individualized to meet each person's needs. The mission is to "enable people with developmental disabilities to lead healthy, independent and productive lives to the fullest extent possible, to promote the full exercise of their rights as citizens of their communities, state, and country; and, to promote the integrity and well-being of thief families."

State Agency Responsible for Overseeing Employment Opportunities for the Developmentally Disabled

The Oklahoma Department of Rehabilitation Services (DRS) introduces or reinstates people with disabilities into the work force, reducing or eliminating dependence on disability benefits and social assistance. This goal is accomplished through vocational rehabilitation, education, employment, independent living programs, and the determination of medical eligibility for disability benefits. Department of Rehabilitation Services counselors from the Division of Vocational Rehabilitation and the Division of Visual Services work with consumers to develop rehabilitation plans designed to reach specific employment goals.

Sheltered Employment

The Developmental Disabilities Services Division (DDSD), Oklahoma Department of Human Services, offers center-based services (sheltered workshops). These services allow individuals to work and receive training in a controlled environment with many other people with disabilities. Workers are paid in accordance with individual production and the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA). Services include assessment, training and transitional services leading to community job placement if the individual chooses. Sheltered workshops are operated under the direction of nonprofit agencies which often subcontract with businesses to provide work for the sheltered employees. For more information and to check eligibility, contact:

Competitive Employment

Supported services are available to help individuals who have severe physical, emotional, mental or multiple disabilities adjust to workplace expectations. Individualized plans for supported employment are developed by each person with assistance from the Oklahoma Department of Rehabilitation Services (DRS) counselors and community-based organizations. Each plan includes specific milestones to be met on the way to meeting employment goals. DRS contracts with community-based organizations to provide supported employment services, such as skills assessment, job placement assistance, on-site job training, and follow-up. These services are focused on helping individuals meet milestones in the plan. For more information, contact:

The Developmental Disabilities Services Division (DDSD), Oklahoma Department of Human Services, offers community integrated employment. These services are provided in sites typically used by others in the community which promotes individual independence and inclusion within the community. These services include unpaid work experience, job sampling, and training through other entities such as trade schools, Vo-Techs, Junior Colleges and other community groups. Supported employment is also offered and includes job placement, on-the-job training and supervision by a certified job coach in a community integrated work setting.

Health and Safety

Using a free consultation service largely funded by the U.S. Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), employers can find out about potential hazards at their worksites and improve their occupational safety and health management systems. Primarily targeted for smaller businesses, this safety and health consultation program is completely separate from the OSHA inspection effort.

The Occupational Safety and Health (OSHA)Oklahoma City Area Office provides safety and health protections to most private sector workers and state and local government employees within the state. OSHA investigates complaints about workplace safety and health hazards.

Reporting Abuse and Neglect

In Oklahoma, adult maltreatment is the term used to indicate maltreatment of persons 65 years of age or older and persons 18-64 years of age who are mentally or physically impaired and unable to protect themselves. Adult maltreatment, as defined by Oklahoma law, includes: 1) Abuse - physical, emotional, or sexual abuse by the caregiver; 2) Neglect - failure to provide protection or necessities of life by either the caregiver or self (a person who neglects their own needs); 3) Exploitation - misuse of money or resources of one person for benefit of another. In Oklahoma, these persons are served by the Department of Human Services, Adult Protective Services. The Department of Human Services 24-hour Statewide Reporting Hotline is 1-800-522-3511. Information from the Oklahoma Department of Human Services can be obtained from:

Protection and Advocacy

The Oklahoma Disability Law Center (ODLC) has helped people with disabilities achieve equality, inclusion in society and personal independence without regard to disabling conditions. It is a system of protection and advocacy for people with disabilities in the State of Oklahoma. The Mission of the Oklahoma Disability Law Center is to protect, promote and expand the rights of people with disabilities. It provides legal services to eligible clients consistent with the established priorities and objectives; works closely with consumer groups and disability rights organizations to advocate for progressive changes in the systems that affect people with disabilities; and its staff speaks to groups of clients, their family members, advocates and others about the legal rights of people with disabilities.