Job seekers of all abilities have an opportunity to connect with inclusive employers at the upcoming Ability-Focused Job Fair, co-hosted by DRTC (Dale Rogers Training Center) and Goodwill Industries of Central Oklahoma.
The event, held at Metro Technology Center’s Springlake Campus will feature the following accommodations:
American Sign Language (ASL) & Spanish interpreters
Accessible parking & wide aisles
Sensory-sensitive room
Visual aids/services
Vocational Rehabilitation Services will be at the event, along with Employment Training Specialists to help job seekers navigate the job fair and interview for open positions. This event is open to the public so there is no need to RSVP. We look forward to seeing you there!
Frontline workers at DRTC (also known as Dale Rogers Training Center) have been extremely busy since the pandemic, picking up the now familiar title essential worker along the way.
DRTC holds federal contracts providing custodial at Tinker Air Force Base, the Mike Monroney Aeronautical Center at FAA, US Marshals and several federal buildings in downtown Oklahoma City. Chances are, if you’ve passed through these areas, DRTC played a role in its upkeep—all 7.1 million square feet! In addition, DRTC provides food service through another federal contract at Tinker Air Force Base, serving a wide variety of meals to military personnel 24/7/365.
Total, DRTC employs approximately 300 at these federal contract locations. As part of these contracts through SourceAmerica®, 75% of those employees have a disability. They provide mission-support to help keep vital government and military functions running smoothly. Through innovative internal programs, DRTC provides tailored on-the-job training, job advancement and employment opportunities.
Spearheading many of these changes is DRTC Executive Director Deborah Copeland, M.Ed. Since officially stepping into her role at the beginning of 2020, Copeland has navigated the agency through the pandemic, pivoting services and programs, but never losing sight of the agency’s mission of supporting people with disabilities through employment opportunities. Additionally, Copeland has become a leading voice in disability-inclusive workplaces as it relates to diversity, equity and inclusion initiatives.
Founded in 1953, DRTC is making plans for a 70th Anniversary celebration in 2023 that will honor disability-inclusive employers. If your business needs assistance with hiring and diversifying your talent pool, we have the right applicants for your needs. DRTC’s Employment Services Program helps transition qualified applicants into new jobs throughout the metro at no additional cost to employers. We’re also a great resource for accommodations and accessibility! Learn more at DRTC.org.
DRTC (Dale Rogers Training Center), a 501(c)(3) nonprofit agency, promotes a more disability-inclusive workplace and community. With multiple locations in Oklahoma, DRTC trains, serves, or employs approximately 1,000 people with disabilities per year. Visit us online: DRTC.org.
Leading the Community Toward a More Disability-inclusive Workforce
DRTC is excited to announce a refreshed brand identity to reflect the innovative and forward-thinking nature of our organization. Through careful analysis of our organization’s values and a comprehensive assessment of community awareness and perceptions, we created a fresh new look that includes a logo, color scheme and tagline. While our mission, programs and services remain the same, the updated DRTC brand identity more clearly illustrates who we are today and heralds the future of our organization.
The refreshed DRTC logo reflects a more modern look and conveys our core message of leading the community toward a more disability-inclusive workforce. The logo evokes feelings of forward movement, innovation, energy and excitement. The three blue forward arcs represent the foresighted and progressive nature of DRTC’s entrepreneurial business model and employment opportunities. As the arcs unite together, the logo also reflects DRTC’s important mission of inclusivity, while the blue discs symbolize the people whom DRTC serves.
The tagline “Ability At Work” conveys the concept that DRTC is creating a workforce that is accessible and inclusive of people of all abilities. The blue color scheme of the logo communicates trust, loyalty, reliability and integrity, while the red tagline is energetic and powerful.
DRTC (Dale Rogers Training Center), a 501(c)(3) nonprofit agency, is Oklahoma’s leading 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. The private agency promotes diversity and inclusion of persons with disabilities within our Oklahoma workforce and communities. Visit us online: DRTC.org.
Dale Rogers Training Center (DRTC), Oklahoma’s highly disability inclusive employer, installed its Program Year 2022 Board of Directors in a recent meeting. Ten members swore in to make key decisions for the agency as it continues to navigate the COVID-19 pandemic by providing an essential workforce for the Oklahoma City metro.
The following people will join DRTC’s Board of Directors for 2021-2022:
Frank Stone, President
Helen Stakem, 1st Vice President
Bradley Wallace, 2nd Vice President
Andrea Nguyen, Secretary
Cheryl Moore, Treasurer
Kevin Clifton
Eric Shannon
Kristi Wilson
Brian Smith
Angela Ables
In addition to the Board installation, the agency recognized former Board member Allen Brown’s 20 years of service to the Board, and presented a commemorative display in honor of former DRTC Executive Director Connie Thrash McGoodwin’s nearly 40 years with the agency. “The agency will be recognizing Connie’s lasting legacy at DRTC,” comments Deborah Copeland, M.Ed., Executive Director. Copeland was named DRTC’s Executive Director in January 2020, leading the agency since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic.
DRTC’s main campus programs and business divisions continue providing meaningful work experience for people with disabilities through a variety of subcontracting jobs, as well as manufacturing of awards, trophies, picture frames, screen printed apparel and more.
Dale Rogers Training Center (DRTC), a 501(c)(3) nonprofit agency, is Oklahoma’s leading 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. The private agency promotes diversity and inclusion of persons with disabilities within our Oklahoma workforce and communities. Visit us online: DRTC.org.
Dale Rogers Training Center (DRTC), an entrepreneurial nonprofit agency that promotes independence through employment for people with disabilities, announces the hiring of its new Chief of Contract Services.
“Kevin brings a very dynamic combination of experience and expertise to the agency and our federal contracts,” said DRTC Executive Director Deborah Copeland, M.Ed.
Sonntag most recently served as Director of Population Health & Analytics at NorthCare where he supported the agency’s transition to value-based care through improving data-driven leadership capabilities and leading population health and analytics projects. He is also a Licensed Professional Counselor in Oklahoma and has led a team of therapists at Sunbeam Family Services as Director of Counseling. Sonntag received his BBA in Management-Human Resources from Texas A&M University and completed his MA in Counseling at Denver Seminary.
Dale Rogers Training Center (DRTC), a 501(c)(3) nonprofit agency, is Oklahoma’s leading community vocational training and employment center for people with disabilities in Oklahoma. With multiple locations in Oklahoma, DRTC trains, serves and employs approximately 1,000 people with disabilities per year. Visit us online: DRTC.org.
Staff with Dale Rogers Training Center (DRTC) visited vocational training program participants who have been staying safer at home during the COVID-19 pandemic. Staff put together goodie bags and decorated an agency bus for the “We miss you tour” that stretched from Edmond to Moore, and Yukon to Del City.
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DRTC closed its main campus vocational training programs and divisions in late March in accordance with Governor Stitt’s Executive Orders. The agency is now implementing a phased approach to re-open the agency. DRTC’s divisions (Awards, Framing, Gift Shop and Promotional Items) are open and processing orders, offering curbside pickup during customer service hours of 8am-4pm, Monday-Friday.
Dale Rogers Training Center (DRTC), a 501(c)(3) nonprofit agency, is Oklahoma’s leading 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.
A unique partnership between a local nonprofit and worldwide manufacturer of high-quality mobile audio equipment is putting much-needed personal protective equipment (PPE) in the hands of first responders in the metro.
DRTC is using DD Audio’s source files to cut the materials needed and then assembles them to specifications. While the agency’s Vocational Rehabilitation programs have been temporarily closed since March 26, 2020, staff on the main campus are producing 300-500 face shields daily.
“We learned that DRTC has the equipment necessary and can do manufacturing as well,” said Shawn Wright, with DD Audio. “This project helps both entities with their missions as well as helping the community at large.”
“DRTC has partnered with DD Audio since 2012 assisting with their packaging and kitting needs,” said DRTC Sales/Business Manager Mark Claunch. “This opportunity helps address a critical need in the community while maintaining our relationship with DD Audio during the pandemic.”
Dale Rogers Training Center (DRTC), a 501(c)(3) nonprofit agency, is Oklahoma’s leading 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.
DD Audio is an Oklahoma based manufacturer of high-quality mobile audio products. For more information visit https://ddaudio.com.
Eager job seekers listen intently, take notes and soak up information hoping it will help them in their next employment opportunity.
It’s a break from the typical job hunt through Dale Rogers Training Center’s (DRTC) Employment Services Program, which helps people with disabilities find, train for, and keep jobs in the community. Today, a group of University of Central Oklahoma (UCO) students is putting on a presentation to educate them about what to do and not to do when seeking a job and working.
DRTC Employment Services Program participants and UCO students.
Elyse Barnett, Abby Graham and Jordan Michela, all seniors at UCO, developed the presentation as part of their Corporate Training and Consulting class, led by Dr. Christy Vincent. Working in tandem with Linda Sechrist, DRTC Employment Services Manager, the students conducted a training needs assessment and developed their topics and activities based off this feedback.
“The presentation was well planned, and the materials and handouts were appropriate for individuals in attendance,” said Linda. “The activities were not only instructional but also fun.”
Presentation praise
LaQuoya, seated left, enjoys the presentation by UCO students on job readiness.
LaQuoya, who has done housekeeping work for 10 years, enjoyed the presentation, particularly the sections on being respectful and body language.
“I like to work,” LaQuoya said. “I want to do an office job.”
The topics covered also served as a refresher for some participants, like Evan, looking to find their next work opportunity.
Evan participates in the UCO students’ presentation.
“I’m always on time,” Evan beamed. “I hope to work in the medical field.”
Employment Services Program participants learned about several topics, including the importance of making a good first impression, professionalism, and communicating with colleagues, customers and bosses.
“We hope you’re successful in that first day and beyond,” Jordan told program participants during her portion of the presentation.
“I felt like I had a personal investment in it,” said Elyse, whose sister has Prader-Willi syndrome.
“I think we had a passion for it,” Abby said of their collaboration.
More training to be done
For Abby, Elyse and Jordan, this is the culmination of months of preparation. However, their work doesn’t end here. Their full presentation will be used by DRTC’s Employment Services Program as part of its vocational preparation class and could even be used for the agency’s Transition School-to-Work Program which helps provide job training to high school juniors and seniors with disabilities.
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DRTC/UCO partnership
This isn’t the first time Dale Rogers Training Center has teamed up with students from the University of Central Oklahoma. Students with UCO’s Speech and Hearing clinic have provided therapy sessions, with guidance of a speech pathologist, every semester for people in DRTC’s various on-campus programs since 1999 on a weekly basis.
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 more than 1,100 people with disabilities per year. Visit us online: DRTC.org.
Dale Rogers Training Center (DRTC) had an unforgettable time at our annual Fall Festival, thanks to the West OKC Rotary Club.
Rotarians came out to cook and serve food, play music and setup crafts for individuals at DRTC’s main campus at 2501 N. Utah Ave.
“DRTC enjoys our long-standing partnership with the Rotary Club,” said DRTC Executive Director Connie Thrash, M.Ed. “Our folks enjoy taking a break from work just like everyone else and the Rotarians put on a great event every year.”
Lindsey and Quoshon were awesome servers!
Having fun at the Fall Festival.
Group photo with OK County Commissioner Brian Maughan.
Chicken dance!
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 more than 1,100 people with disabilities per year. Visit us online: DRTC.org.
Dale Rogers Training Center (DRTC) had an unforgettable time at our annual Fall Festival, thanks to the West OKC Rotary Club.
Rotarians came out to cook and serve food, play music and setup crafts for individuals at DRTC’s main campus at 2501 N. Utah Ave.
“DRTC enjoys our long-standing partnership with the Rotary Club,” said DRTC Executive Director Connie Thrash, M.Ed. “Our folks enjoy taking a break from work just like everyone else and the Rotarians put on a great event every year.”
Lindsey and Quoshon were awesome servers!
Having fun at the Fall Festival.
Group photo with OK County Commissioner Brian Maughan.
Chicken dance!
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 more than 1,100 people with disabilities per year. Visit us online: DRTC.org.
Due to anticipated severe weather DRTC's Main Campus at Northwest 23rd and Utah Avenue will be closed November 4. Dismiss
