Community Employment
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Think Ability offers vocational services that provide assistance to individuals in the initial stages of the employment assessment period, job searching and development, job coaching, and working independently. These employment opportunities can be in the community or at one of Think Ability’s vocational program businesses which include the Community Garden, the Garden Café, the Garden Hub, the Garden Market, and Power Print. |
Developmental Disabilities ServicesThe following information is from the Oklahoma Department of Human Services. For more information on DDS, visit their website here. |
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MissionThe Oklahoma Department of Human Services Developmental Disabilities Services (DDS) partners with individual with intellectual disabilities and their families to plan for a good life that focuses on living and participating in their communities. Employment can lead to more independent and productive lives. DDS supports people of working age to achieve competitive integrated employment. PhilosophyOklahoma is one of the highest performing states in the nation for supporting people with intellectual disabilities in employment. As an employment first state, Oklahoma believes all citizens, including those with significant disabilities, are capable of employment and full participation in community life. Working is good for our health and well-being. It contributes to our happiness, helps us to build confidence, self-esteem, and rewards us financially. Person-Centered ApproachWith this goal in mind, DDS takes a person-centered approach to employment, believing that each person is different, and that their employment pathway should center on that person's wants, needs, and desires when in pursuit of their goals. This pathway looks different for each person. To best support the employment pathway, DDS provides several services to support people, regardless of where they are on their path to competitive integrated employment. These services are provided in a variety of community settings. Services include assessment, job development and placement, as well as on the job training and supports. Individuals can be supported in more than one type of employment service. |
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Department of Rehabilitation ServicesThe following information is from the Oklahoma Department of Rehabilitation Services. To learn more about DRS, visit their website here. |
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The Oklahoma Department of Rehabilitation Services (DRS) expands opportunities for employment, independent life and economic self-sufficiency by helping Oklahomans with disabilities bridge barriers to success in the workplace, school and at home. Vocational Rehabilitation is one of the five program divisions of DRS. The purpose for Vocational Rehabilitation is to help eligible individuals with disabilities prepare for work and become gainfully employed. The primary vocational rehabilitation services are counseling and guidance with job placement. However, other services may also be provided as needed for an individual to compensate for, correct or prevent disability-based barriers to employment. These services can include, but are not limited to:
The services a person receives are determined by the person's Individualized Plan for Employment. This plan outlines a person's employment goal and the services that are needed to enable the person to achieve that goal. The IPE can be written by a VR client and counselor working together, or it can be written by the client according to guidelines the counselor will explain. EligibilityA person may be eligible for vocational rehabilitation services if he or she has a physical or mental disability that is a barrier to employment and requires VR services to prepare for, obtain, keep or return to work. There must be a chance the person can benefit by going to work. |