405.946.4489
Search
Close this search box.
405.946.4489

Tag: disability employment

DRTC Supports Modernizing Policy to Benefit People with Disabilities

Posted on by Dale Rogers Training Center

New bill would develop a transition plan away from subminimum wages in Oklahoma

DRTC applauds Representative Ellyn Hefner for introducing legislation to examine the future use of 14(c) certificate programs in Oklahoma. If approved, the measure could usher in a new wave of service and program modernization across the state.

House Bill 3796 would create a task force to examine and develop a plan to phase out the use of 14(c) subminimum wages paid to people with disabilities in Oklahoma.

“States that have phased out 14(c) considered a multitude of related aspects including high school-to-work transition programs, Medicaid administration, and non-work-related activities,” said DRTC Executive Director/CEO Deborah Copeland, M.Ed. “DRTC hopes the task force would find and recommend best practices across the country to develop an Oklahoma-specific solution.”

According to the Association of People Supporting Employment First (APSE), 15 states have passed laws to eliminate subminimum wages paid to people with disabilities (July 2023). DRTC is a member of APSE, as well as SourceAmerica®, an AbilityOne® Program to employ people with disabilities. The AbilityOne® Program also eliminated the use of 14c subminimum wages for thousands of people with disabilities working on federal contracts (October 2022).

DRTC serves, trains or employs approximately 700 people with disabilities or limiting conditions annually. More than 100 of these workers at DRTC’s main campus are eligible to earn subminimum wages under the 14(c) certificate. According to the U.S. Department of Labor, nearly 1,200 Oklahomans currently earn subminimum wages (as of January 1, 2024).

DRTC has spearheaded the conversation in the transition away from 14(c) subminimum wages, leading a coalition comprised of state and provider agencies to address concerns facing Oklahoma. Additionally, DRTC participated in an interim study conducted by Reps. Hefner and Jared Deck that ultimately proposed the task force mentioned in HB3796.

“We are highly encouraged by the proposal for a task force,” said Copeland. “This is a great opportunity to modernize services and policy for Oklahomans with disabilities and their families. We hope Oklahoma’s lawmakers recognize the need to be prepared to serve some of their most vulnerable constituents throughout the process.”

Congresswoman Bice Recognized for Support of Disability Employment Program

Posted on by Dale Rogers Training Center

Congresswoman becomes Oklahoma’s third current delegate with the distinction.

Honoring her commitment to a federal program designed to increase employment opportunities of people with disabilities, Dale Rogers Training Center (DRTC), along with NewView Oklahoma, proudly presented the AbilityOne® Congressional Champion Award to Congresswoman Stephanie Bice (OK-05) in her district office.

Congresswoman Bice demonstrated her support of the AbilityOne® Program through use of products made by partner agencies, as well as a site visit at Tinker Air Force Base in August, where she learned about DRTC’s custodial and food service contracts, and NewView Oklahoma’s products including wooden airplane chocks, hydraulic hoses and more.

“Supporting the AbilityOne® Program provides another voice that promotes disability-inclusion in the workplace and community,” said DRTC Executive Director Deborah Copeland, M.Ed. “We’re thankful Congresswoman Bice has placed this priority on a historically under-represented part of the workforce.”

Congresswoman Bice joins Senator James Lankford and Congressman Tom Cole as Oklahoma’s current delegates to hold the distinction from the AbilityOne® Program, which employs nearly 60,000 people nationwide through 575 nonprofit agencies (SourceAmerica®, Fiscal Year 2022).

“I am honored to receive the AbilityOne Congressional Champion Award,” said Congresswoman Bice. “AbilityOne employees are crucial in the day-to-day operations at Tinker Air Force Base and at numerous other facilities throughout the United States. I was overjoyed to have the ability to meet many of these inspiring individuals and l will continue working to support them during my time in Congress.”

According to a recent Mathematica report, the AbilityOne® Program generates $2.66 to the federal government for every $1 spent on the program. DRTC has a total economic impact of $2 million through its federal contracts held through SourceAmerica®, an AbilityOne® Program (Mathematica Socioeconomic Impact Evaluation Report).

DRTC has held the food service contract at Tinker Air Force Base for 30-years, preparing meals for military and civilian personnel around-the-clock. In addition, DRTC holds custodial contracts at Tinker Air Force Base, the FAA Mike Monroney Aeronautical Center, and the Federal Courthouse, Federal Post Office, the Oklahoma City Federal Building, and the Murrah Plaza in downtown Oklahoma City. Combined, nearly 300 staff work on these contracts.

NewView Oklahoma, a National Industries for the Blind (NIB) and AbilityOne® associated agency, provides employment for individuals who are blind or living with low vision. The agency employs 120 full-time employees through AbilityOne® contracts, and 186 employees organization-wide.

Grant to Foster Entrepreneurship Among Oklahomans with Disabilities

Posted on by Dale Rogers Training Center

People with disabilities seeking self-employment will have more opportunities to reach their goals, thanks in part to pandemic relief aid.

The Oklahoma County Board of Commissioners recently approved $100,000 in pandemic relief aid via the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) for DRTC to create an incubator/accelerator program designed to support people with disabilities to become self-employed.

“This is a fantastic opportunity for those looking to pave their own path and receive the resources needed to be successful in business,” said Deborah Copeland, M.Ed., DRTC Executive Director/CEO.

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, people with a disability were more likely to be self-employed (9.5%) than those with no disability (6.1%).

DRTC’s Hub Business Incubator Program, with a tentative launch date in late 2023, will provide support and training for people with a disability interested in becoming entrepreneurs. Candidates will have the opportunity to develop their ideas through a business planning process. Another component involves mentorship comprised of established business leaders to provide guidance, support and advice for the entrepreneurs. Applicants interested in participating in the program should contact pr@drtc.org or call 405-946-4489 x1431.

Employability Honorees from DRTC’s 70th Anniversary Gala

Posted on by Dale Rogers Training Center

As DRTC proudly celebrates its 70th Anniversary, we’re taking a moment to honor and recognize those individuals whose commitment embodies the organization’s core mission of leading the community toward a more disability-inclusive workforce.

Employment Services Client Spotlight Honoree – John Hamilton

Over and over John Hamilton has proven to be a flexible and adaptive employee for the OU Children’s Hospital. He is known for his consistently high-quality work over the past two years. An active listener and skilled communicator, John contributes positively to the overall performance of his team and company. Quiet and focused, it’s easy to see why he’s a valued staff and mentor for his co-workers.

Employment Services Direct Service Professional Spotlight Honoree – Vivian Naegeli

As an Employment Training Specialist and Supervisor for 18 years, Vivian Naegeli has supported more than 400 individuals with disabilities in their employment journey. Throughout her employment, Vivian has consistently assisted the most individuals in obtaining employment across the community. Proficient in American Sign Language and individualized support for people who are Deaf, Vivian is an unstoppable force in creating a more disability-inclusive workforce and community for Oklahoma.

Employment Services Employer Champion – Sodexo

A global leader in quality-of-life services essential for individual and organizational performance.  Sodexo supports equal opportunity for all employees. Since 2016, DRTC has successfully partnered with Sodexo as an employer for more than 35 individuals with disabilities across 13 locations. Year after year, Sodexo’s commitment to hiring a disability-inclusive workforce through the DRTC Employment Services Program shines through.

DRTC Ability At Work Employer of the Year

Equitability Honorees

Capability Honorees

Dependability Honorees

Capability Honorees from DRTC’s 70th Anniversary Gala

Posted on by Dale Rogers Training Center

As DRTC proudly celebrates its 70th Anniversary, we’re taking a moment to honor and recognize those individuals whose commitment embodies the organization’s core mission of leading the community toward a more disability-inclusive workforce.

State Use Champion – Oklahoma Department of Transportation

A valued customer within the State Use Program for many years, the Oklahoma Department of Transportation has placed their trust in DRTC for many special projects as well as regular orders. From apparel, to plaques, to kitting, this long-standing relationship has provided more than one million dollars in job opportunities for the folks at DRTC Awards, Framing, & Promos. Loyalty to the mission of the State Use Program in providing employment for people with disabilities in Oklahoma is why the Oklahoma Department of Transportation is our State Use Champion.

Business Partnership Champion – JASCO

Beginning with building displays for Target, this 15-year relationship currently supports 100 people in the DRTC Production Center with more than a hundred thousand dollars in contracts. Today, Jasco, an industry leader in electronics, looks to DRTC as a partner for high-quality work in kitting and packaging placing RFID’s on products for placement in Walmart. As a company, Jasco aspires to improve people’s lives through partnerships that inspire change. We appreciate Jasco seeing our ability to be a valuable business partner.

Media Partner Champion –  KFOR

A true media partner with DRTC for several years, KFOR paved the way in highlighting the agency’s mission and successes. Owned by Nexstar Media Group, KFOR-TV has played a key role in raising awareness and supporting people with disabilities as they reimagine their future through employment.

DRTC Ability At Work Employer of the Year

Equitability Honorees

Dependability Honorees

Employability Honorees

Dependability Honorees from DRTC’s 70th Anniversary Gala

Posted on by Dale Rogers Training Center

As DRTC proudly celebrates its 70th Anniversary, we’re taking a moment to honor and recognize those individuals whose commitment embodies the organization’s core mission of leading the community toward a more disability-inclusive workforce.

Federal Contract AbilityOne Employee – Myra Denson-Hartsock

With an impeccable work ethic and heartwarming smile, Myra Denson-Hartsock clearly sets the standard for excellence and customer service. For almost 20 years, Myra has been a devoted team player and mentor at the downtown GSA contract. Myra believes in ‘paying it forward’ not only for her co-workers, but also for her federal customers, who feel like part of her family. Myra’s dedication to her work is unmatched and that is why Myra Denson-Hartsock is our AbilityOne, Spotlight Honoree.

Federal Contract Employee – Jason Kelleher

Capable of assembling data from 2,700 building inspections per month, Jason Kelleher spearheaded the current high-tech Quality Assurance Program for all custodial federal contracts. Beginning his career with DRTC as a Floor Tech in 2007, Jason has continued to advance his expertise to become a powerful force, enhancing the integrity and reliability of quality outcomes for the contracts. Embracing new concepts with a positive outlook drives his support of the mission.

DRTC Ability At Work Employer of the Year

Employability Honorees

Capability Honorees

Equitability Honorees

Ability-Focused Job Fair Set for October 24th

Posted on by Dale Rogers Training Center

Job seekers of all abilities have an opportunity to connect with inclusive employers at the upcoming Ability-Focused Job Fair, co-hosted by DRTC (Dale Rogers Training Center), NewView Oklahoma and Goodwill Industries of Central Oklahoma.

The event, held at the OSU-OKC Community Impact Center will feature the following accommodations:

  • American Sign Language (ASL) & Spanish interpreters
  • Accessible parking & wide aisles
  • Sensory-sensitive room
  • Visual aids/services
  • Parking lot transportation to the event
  • Separate Interview Space
  • Sighted guides

Oklahoma Department of Rehabilitation Services (OKDRS) will be at the event, along with Employment Training Specialists to help job seekers navigate the job fair and interview for open positions. This event is open to the public so there is no need to RSVP. We look forward to seeing you there!

What: Ability-Focused Job Fair

Where: OSU-OKC Community Impact Center

900 N Portland Ave

Oklahoma City, OK. 73107

When: October 24th 11:00am-2:00pm

Vendors: Interested in having a booth? There are limited spots available – Register Here!

Booth registration includes a catered lunch for up to two representatives.

Congresswoman Stephanie Bice tours AbilityOne® Program at Tinker Air Force Base

Posted on by Dale Rogers Training Center

Congresswoman Stephanie Bice (OK-05) spent part of her August recess learning how people with disabilities serve as a critical component for the federal government and the United States military.

Rep. Bice recently toured Vanwey Dining Facility, operated by Dale Rogers Training Center (DRTC), at Tinker Air Force Base. DRTC has held the food service contract through SourceAmerica®, an AbilityOne® Program, for 30-years, preparing meals for military and civilian personnel around-the-clock. In addition, DRTC holds custodial contracts at TAFB, cleaning 188 buildings on base in support of the mission at Tinker.

NewView Oklahoma, a National Industries for the Blind (NIB) and AbilityOne® associated agency, participated in Rep. Bice’s visit as well. NewView Oklahoma provides employment for individuals who are blind or living with low vision. The agency employs 120 full-time employees through AbilityOne® contracts, and 186 employees organization-wide. Those employees serve in various capacities through service contracts at military installations across the country, including Tinker Air Force Base. NewView also offers employment through their Oklahoma City manufacturing plant where they manufacture a diverse range of products including wooden airplane chalks, DLA hoses, hydraulic hoses, high pressure hoses, sanitation products, survival kits, first aid kits, and more.

AbilityOne® Program employees from both DRTC and NewView Oklahoma spoke with Congresswoman Bice about the importance of the employment program in their lives. Rep. Bice also learned more about the AbilityOne® Program from DRTC Executive Director/CEO Deborah Copeland, M.Ed., and NewView Oklahoma President & CEO Lauren Branch and how people with disabilities have gained meaningful employment through contracts via SourceAmerica® and NIB.

DRTC employs approximately 200 people at Tinker Air Force Base, among its three contracts on base.

“Through employment, our staff have been able to support their families, advance their careers, and develop their skills,” said Deborah Copeland. Executive Director and CEO of DRTC. “The AbilityOne® Program continues to prove its worth, generating $2.66 to the federal government for every one-dollar spent on the program.” (Mathematica Socioeconomic Impact Evaluation Report)

The unemployment rate for Americans living with vision-related disabilities is 67%; that equates to more than 48,000 Oklahomans eligible but not participating in the workforce. “The AbilityOne® program is a vital federal program that protects and encourages the employment of individuals living with disabilities. Without it, many of our neighbors would remain unemployed,” said Lauren Branch, President and CEO of NewView Oklahoma. 

DRTC recognized Col. Abigail Ruscetta, Commander, 72nd Air Base Wing, Tinker Air Force Base, Congresswoman Bice, and Senator Markwayne Mullin (whose staff attended the event) with a commemorative acrylic manufactured at the agency’s headquarters located at 2501 N. Utah Ave. in Oklahoma City.

Man smiling in front of kitchen smiling wearing DRTC shirt.
Rep. Bice smiling listening to DRTC employees speak in kitchen area.
Man smiling in dining hall wearing DRTC collared shirt.
DRTC CEO Deborah Copeland handing award to Rep. Stephanie Bice.
Rep. Bice smiling listening to DRTC employees speak.

DRTC Custodians to Ensure Smooth Operations for Tinker Air Show

Posted on by Dale Rogers Training Center

Sights will be set skyward when the Tinker Air Show takes flight, but also important is ground-level activity. Custodian crews with Dale Rogers Training Center, Inc. (DRTC) are tasked with maintaining the grounds during the award-winning Tinker Air Show, July 1-2.

DRTC, a 501(c)3 private nonprofit organization, leads a more disability-inclusive workforce, assisting people with disabilities reach their employment goals. Nearly 300 people work at DRTC’s federal contract locations through SourceAmerica®, an AbilityOne® Program to employ people with disabilities.

“We’re excited to once again provide custodial services for the Tinker Air Show,” said Deborah Copeland, DRTC Executive Director. “This event provides another great opportunity to showcase the partnership between Tinker Air Force Base and DRTC, as well as the capabilities of our essential personnel.”

Custodians will be positioned throughout the event, ensuring clean operations for the two-day event. DRTC also provided custodial services at the 2019 Tinker Air Show.

The nonprofit agency, celebrating its 70th year in 2023, recently finalized a 10-year contract with the Department of Defense to continue providing custodial services on base.

DRTC has provided custodial contract services at Tinker AFB since 2001, and contract food services at TAFB since 1993. In addition, DRTC also provides contract custodial services at the FAA Mike Monroney Aeronautical Center, as well as the federal complex (Courthouse, Post Office, Oklahoma City Federal Building and the Murrah Plaza).

For questions regarding media access to the Tinker Air Show, call 405-739-2025 or email 72abw.pa.workflow@us.af.mil.

Fresh Look, Same Purpose

Posted on by Dale Rogers Training Center

Leading the Community Toward a More Disability-inclusive Workforce

DRTC logo with three blue swooshes extending up and to the left, with three dots at the end. Ability at work

DRTC is excited to announce a refreshed brand identity to reflect the innovative and forward-thinking nature of our organization. Through careful analysis of our organization’s values and a comprehensive assessment of community awareness and perceptions, we created a fresh new look that includes a logo, color scheme and tagline. While our mission, programs and services remain the same, the updated DRTC brand identity more clearly illustrates who we are today and heralds the future of our organization.

The refreshed DRTC logo reflects a more modern look and conveys our core message of leading the community toward a more disability-inclusive workforce. The logo evokes feelings of forward movement, innovation, energy and excitement. The three blue forward arcs represent the foresighted and progressive nature of DRTC’s entrepreneurial business model and employment opportunities. As the arcs unite together, the logo also reflects DRTC’s important mission of inclusivity, while the blue discs symbolize the people whom DRTC serves.

The tagline “Ability At Work” conveys the concept that DRTC is creating a workforce that is accessible and inclusive of people of all abilities. The blue color scheme of the logo communicates trust, loyalty, reliability and integrity, while the red tagline is energetic and powerful.

DRTC (Dale Rogers Training Center), a 501(c)(3) nonprofit agency, is Oklahoma’s leading community vocational training and employment center for people with disabilities in Oklahoma. With multiple locations in Oklahoma, DRTC trains or employs approximately 1,000 people with disabilities per year. The private agency promotes diversity and inclusion of persons with disabilities within our Oklahoma workforce and communities. Visit us online: DRTC.org.

Join our mailing list.

Keep up-to-date with our folks and what they are doing in the community.
Subscribe

Contact

Dale Rogers Training Center, Inc.

2501 N. Utah Ave.
Oklahoma City, OK 73107

Employee Portal

Phone: 405-946-4489
Video: 405-445-7314

Fax: 405-267-6929 Email: pr@drtc.org

Social Connect

Facebook Twitter Instagram Rss
United Way logo
DRTC is a proud United Way Partner Agency.