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People with Disabilities Awareness Day 2023

Lt. Gov. Matt Pinnell at the podium speaking to the crowd with an ASL interpreter next to him

We rocked the house!

We felt the energy Tuesday at the Oklahoma History Center. With 653 people in attendance, the day was great! Make the day even better was that we had 70 organizations or programs represented.

Here are the numbers and the reason we ask everyone to register.
• Total Volunteers - 93
• Total Exhibitors - 211
• Guest Only - 349
• Total Attended - 653
• Total Programs/Organizations Exhibit Tables - 70

101 State Representatives, 48 State Senators, and the Governor and Lt. Governor offices were visited and packets were distributed by 38 unsung heroes, three guide dogs, and two interpreters. Our volunteers made sure that our lawmakers knew about the day and provided valuable information.

At this year's Awards Program, we honor seven outstanding individuals and one outstanding partner. Help us celebrate the 2022 People with Disabilities Awareness Day award winners:
• Vocational Rehabilitation Client of the Year - Phil Dupont
• Services for the Blind and Visually Impair Client of the Year – Hannah Dangle
• Oklahoma School for the Blind Student of the Year - Abigail Norton
• Oklahoma School for the Deaf Student of the Year – Aracely Murillo
• Partner of the Year – Mercy Health Systems
• Legislators of the Year – Sen. Paul Rosino and Rep. Brian Hill
• Communications Award – 1600 KUSH AM

Before we finally put this year's event in the rearview mirror, tell us how we did. Survey closes Friday, March 17.

The images from the day are so cool, take a look!

If you posted any photos from the day you want to share be sure to use the hashtag #PWDAD2023 - we love seeing your pic too!
OLBPH AIM exhibit table and worker

Join Us for a great day

Are you ready to network? Celebrate outstanding accomplishments? If so, join us for People with Disabilities Awareness Day from noon to 4 p.m., March 7, 2023, at the Oklahoma History Center.

Let's take action! Plan on coming, bring a friend or two and network with the more than 70 disability-centric exhibitors. They bring a wealth of information and might introduce you to new programs.

Celebrate success! Stay and congratulate our Awareness Day Award Winners.

We are back at the Oklahoma History Center and the event is free to all who want to attend. The venue is ideal for talking with exhibitors and an outstanding place to showcase the award winners.

What about Legislative visits?

While the event is not at the state Capitol we still hope you use the day to reach out to your lawmaker. If you can't visit in person, make a phone call, type an email, or post to your favorite social media and tag a representative or senator. Tell them how they can best serve the disability community best.

We don't want to miss our opportunities just because we are across the street. It's a time to learn to advocate for yourself, for your family or on behalf of those you work with. This day is still your opportunity to explain the positive impact of critical disability programs.

Look up your legislator here.

PWDAD 2023 Awards Program

Every year we honor individuals who make a difference for the disability community, either by being an example or paving the way for success. We will honor our People with Disabilities Awareness Day Award winners at 3 p.m. in the Chesapeake Room.

Don't miss DRS Executive Director Melinda Fruendt and Commissioners Theresa Flannery and Jace Wolfe presenting the honors.

Help us celebrate the 2022 People with Disabilities Awareness Day award winners:

Vocational Rehabilitation Client of the Year - Phil Dupont

Services for the Blind and Visually Impair Client of the Year – Hannah Dangle

Oklahoma School for the Blind Student of the Year - Abigail Norton

Oklahoma School for the Deaf Student of the Year – Aracely Murillo

Partner of the Year – Mercy Health Systems

Legislators of the Year – Sen. Paul Rosino and Rep. Brian Hill

Communications Award – 1600 KUSH AM



Join us at the Oklahoma History Center

an airplane inside the building suspended from the ceiling.

This year we will be hosting PWDAD at the Oklahoma History Center, 800 Nazih Zuhdi Drive, Oklahoma City, OK 73105. This beautiful facility is not only made for our event by being able to hold the large number of exhibitors that we are used to but our awards program as well. No elevator waits - it's all on one floor.

Admission to the building and PWDAD is free. The doors to the museum exhibits will be open thanks to the Oklahoma Rehabilitation Council sponsoring the entry fees.

Visit the Oklahoma History Center's website

Oklahoma History Center


Special Thanks

Be sure to plan to visit the History Center's exhibits. This year, the doors to the exhibits will be wide open thanks to Oklahoma Rehabilitation Council for paying everyone's entrance fee.

Thank you ORC for making a great day even better!

ORC Oklahoma Rehabilitation Council logo

With the right tools, we will build independent lives. 2023 People with Disabilities Awareness Day. March 7, Oklahoma History Center.

Agenda

Are you bringing a group? Make a List!

Are you bringing more than 10 people with you to People with Disabilities Awareness Day? If so, do you want to get through registration faster?

On a piece of paper, list everyone in your group including yourself. When you get the event, give the volunteers at the registration tables the list and go enjoy the day.

You won't have to try to keep your group together while signing each group member in. Our mission is to help you enjoy the day.

computer-generated illustration of different color silhouette multiple people.

Be Seen, Wear Green

the green pwdad shirt

Let's stand united! Be Seen, Wear Green! Any green or a PWDAD t-shirt, we're not picky.

Unity comes in all forms, this year we are excited to tell you about the PWDAD t-shirts. We have created this PWDAD design and are making them available for anyone who would like to purchase one. If you can't purchase the t-shirt - wear green and be seen.

Get your orders in six weeks before the event, so you can be styling there.

Check out the t-shirts.

Add PWDAD to your calendar

Contact Us

If you have any questions or need help registering, please call us at (405) 951-3478 or email, [email protected].

PWDAD Event Flyer

a bullhorn

Check out the event flyer and help us spread the word by sending it to all your friends. Tell them how important it is to inform our state Legislators about the issues that affect the disability community and for all of us to stand united.

Flyer - Standard Print  | Flyer - Large Print | Flyer - Braille


PWDAD Many exhibits too

a table

People with Disabilities Awareness Day always has great exhibits with a vast assortment of information and key people to get to know. We will provide a list when this information is available.

Let's get social - #PWDAD2023

See you there!