"The integration of hope is fueled by the promise ofopportunities. It provides us all with a vehicle of aspiration and attainment.I want to draw your attention to the number 6.5 million. It’s the estimatedtotal of people in the United States living with a developmental andintellectual disability, according to the Centers for Disease Control andPrevention. It's important that these individuals live a valued, respected, andprosperous life, particularly from an employment standpoint. The OklahomaDepartment of Developmental Disabilities Services, through the Department ofHuman Services, is on a mission to help individuals with developmentaldisabilities and their families lead safer, healthier, more independent, andproductive lives.

Developmental Disabilities Services (DDS) serves individualsages 3 and up who have a primary diagnosis of intellectual disabilities.Persons served may also have other developmental disabilities in addition tointellectual disabilities, such as autism, cerebral palsy, Down syndrome, etc.Recently, they’ve placed an inclusive and increased emphasis on providingequitable, fair employment opportunities for the individuals they serve, whichwill hopefully put them on the path to full independence and dignity withinsociety as contributing members. Ryan Stewart, the department’s manager ofcommunications, met with me this week to discuss how the state of Oklahoma isleading the way and setting the example for others to follow when it comes tofully integrating individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilitieswithin the workforce and society at large.

Email: TellDDS@okdhs.org"