Chisholm Trail Technology Center in Omega welcomed the Oklahoma Department of Rehabilitation Services and Oklahoma CareerTech to its Seminar Center on Tuesday, August 18.
Business leaders, educators, counselors, tribal representatives and community partners gathered to learn about resources that help people with disabilities succeed in the workplace while strengthening Oklahoma’s workforce.
Presenters highlighted Vocational Rehabilitation (VR), a program that helps people with disabilities prepare for, find and keep jobs. Services include career counseling, résumé assistance, job placement, workplace accommodations and job coaching.
Assistive Technology (AT) was also discussed. AT includes tools such as screen readers, adaptive keyboards and specialized software that help people succeed at school or work. VR can help individuals and employers identify and obtain the right equipment.
Youth programs combine workplace-readiness workshops with hands-on experience, helping students build skills and confidence in real-world settings.
Oklahoma CareerTech representatives also discussed state and federally registered apprenticeships. These flexible, employer-led programs combine on-the-job training with classroom instruction and can be developed for healthcare, law enforcement, culinary arts, manufacturing, construction trades and many other fields.
The event emphasized that employers do not have to address workforce challenges alone. Vocational Rehabilitation, CareerTech and their partners can help businesses find talent, develop customized training and build workplaces where more Oklahomans can succeed.
Photos by AAK Maitland Woody.
