Kealey McIntire: Hundreds of thousands of people in our state have disabilities and at times that can make it difficult to find a job.
Monica Price (MP): But a state agency offers a program that helps those with special needs transition to the work force. It’s Part 4 of our special series “Building better minds.”
Kent Risley (KR): We knew life wasn't going to be easy for him that's why we gave him the name Caleb.
MP: Meet 20-year old Calem Risley, a young man with special needs.
KR: It's a bible name. Caleb didn't have his life easy in the bible either, but he claimed his mountain and Caleb will claim his as well.
MP: Life may not be easy but that's not stopping Caleb. He works for a local landscaping company and beautifies Oklahoma Christian University.
KR: Caleb always dreamed of being a student at Oklahoma Christian. Maybe that's not going to work out, but like one of his buddies said most people pay to go to OC, you get paid to go there. Because he comes out here and works.
MP: Is that hard work?
Caleb Risley: Yeah.
MP: Hard work but hard work Caleb enjoys. The Oklahoma Department of Rehabilitation Services made it possible for him to land the job. Its part of a program called "Transition School to Work.
KR: He needs help and assistance along the way just like everyone of us does.
Bonnie Allen (BA): It's very beneficial to the students because it allows them to be able to have support on the job where otherwise they may not be able to maintain their jobs that they have.
MP: In our state, there are many like Caleb with special needs. The latest statistics show there are more than 336,000 Oklahomans with two or more disabling conditions. There are also about 190,000 who have visual and hearing disabilities. In addition, some 400,000 have physical disabilities.
KR: I hope parents will take advantage of the program.
MP: It's a program that's changing lives and helping those like Caleb shoot for their dreams.
KR: Caleb's a wonderful young man. He's going to make a great contribution to this world.
MP: He is an amazing young man. For more information on the Transition to Work program, go to our website at ksbitv.com.
KM: That's right, we have link to the Oklahoma Department of Rehabilitation website.