“Octopus” provides new work for people with disabilities

Clients at Dale Rogers Training Center (DRTC) are keeping staff and instructors busy with requests to be assigned to the agency’s brand new, $50,000 screen printing machine, affectionately called “The Octopus.” It’s the newest work option at DRTC, which includes subcontracting projects, awards manufacturing and picture frame assembly.

Screen printing is the latest entrepreneurial step designed to further the nonprofit agency’s goal of self-sufficiency. Dale Rogers Training Center, which provides work opportunities for people with disabilities in the Oklahoma City metro, recently purchased a state-of-the-art, eight-station screen printing press.

“The Octopus” features eight rotating stations, with the capability of producing t-shirts, polo shirts, tote bags and other branded items. The new screen printing press was installed with the safety of DRTC’s program participants in mind; it features several auto-off sensors, as well as a safety bar and a foot pedal to advance to the next station. DRTC’s team can produce 200-300 t-shirts per hour!

“Any time we consider a new job, safety is at the forefront of our mind,” said Mark Claunch, DRTC Sales & Business Manager. “With so many moving parts, each person who wants to work in our screen printing area is fully trained in the various components of the machine to ensure a safe working environment for all.”

Dale Rogers Training Center has already filled orders for several entities, including the Oklahoma Bureau of Narcotics, Putnam City Public Schools and Richey’s Grill. For ordering inquiries, please visit DRTC at 2501 N. Utah Ave., Monday-Friday, 8am-5pm, email promosales@drtc.org or call 405-946-1079.

Dale Rogers Training Center (DRTC) is the oldest and largest 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. Visit us online: DRTC.org.

View DRTC’s screen printing in action at https://youtu.be/YOaqfT42DRg.