OK Rehabilitation Services, partners to offer free summer training, employment programs
Free training and work experience summer programs are being offered by the Oklahoma Rehabilitation Services Department's Transition program for youths with disabilities.
Summer camps also will begin soon in multiple urban and rural locations across the state.
The Transition program serves 3,725 students, ages 16 to 21, who are eligible for employment programs, Vocational Rehabilitation and Services for the Blind and Visually Impaired.
Department of Rehabilitation Services clients, ages 16 and older, who will return to high school in August 2022, can improve their employment readiness and gain summer work experience in the five-week, two-part program BEST STEP (Building Employment Skills for Today and Summer Transition Employment Program), according to a news release.
BEST participants attend one week of employment training before working part-time through STEP for up to 25 hours of paid employment each week at businesses in their communities.
BEST STEP is funded by the state Rehabilitation Services Department with summer camp training and services delivered in partnership with the University of Oklahoma National Center for Disability Education and Training’s Pre-ETS program.
Applications and interviews are required. For more information, go to https://tinyurl.com/y7435fsz, email rsansom@okdrs.gov or jgoldston@ou.edu, or call 405-212-7789.
STEM camps
STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics) camps are open to all Oklahoma students ages 14-19 with documented physical, mental or cognitive disabilities.
Students can learn to use computers, software and related technologies to design and create power racer dragsters, High Tech (HT) powered racers, T-shirts, patches, bracelets, mouse pads and buttons.
Tech Now is partnering with the state Rehabilitation Services Department to offer STEM camps in Lawton, Garber, Tulsa and Oklahoma City in June and July.
Download the STEM Camps flyer at https://tinyurl.com/bdu5judj to get dates and more information about general camps, as well as information about the Oklahoma City camp designed for students with autism spectrum diagnoses. Contact rsansom@okdrs.gov or tech-now@hotmail.com, or call 405-212-7789 with questions.
Summer VIBE
VIBE (Visually Impaired and Blindness Empowerment) camps are planned for June 26 through July 1, and July 24-29 for students with visual disabilities.
The weeklong camps will focus on assessment, and career and higher education exploration to help students prepare for employment and independent life. Participants will improve communication, travel and transportation, technology and team building skills, the news release stated.
Applications are required. For a flyer, go to https://tinyurl.com/2p95ydn7. For more information, email csnow@okdrs.gov or dtrout@okdrs.gov or call 405-522-3333.
This article originally appeared on Oklahoman: Youths with disabilities offered summer training, employment programs
