Disability Awareness Day Event Gives Community Insight to Workforce Opportunities
On Friday, September 8, at Watchetaker Hall, the Comanche Nation Vocation Rehabilitation Program, which helps people get back into the workforce, held its 13th annual Disability Awareness Day event for community members.
Gina Rutledge, a Counselor at the Vocation Rehabilitation, said Disability Awareness is to give the community information and teach them about their programs.
“We classify a disability [as] anything that impedes employment. So, you know, everybody thinks of disabilities as far as what you can see, but we also deal with the things that you don't see,” she said. “And those are just as important. People that struggle with anxiety, PTSD, addiction, those are things also that impede employment. So, that's what we try to do, make sure that everybody is getting the information that not only for the physical disabilities but also the mental disabilities as well.”
The transition program helps those reaching or are in young adulthood to enter the workforce.
For those who want to be more involved, there is also a powwow held every other year.
“We also do outreach as far as going to, we go to the Indian clinics, we go to the Lawton Indian Hospital, we go to the Anadarko Clinic in Anadarko; we go to all the other programs here at the tribe,” Rutledge said. “They will have certain events and we like to attend them as well. That way we have our brochures, we're there to answer questions, so that's what we do.”
There were several vendors with lots of information and door prizes.
Breakfast and lunch were provided at the event.
More information can be found by calling the Vocational Rehabilitation at 580-492-3605.
