Anyone can succeed, even if they have a disability. That is the message one Connors State College student with a disability was trying to get across to the people of Oklahoma. She is working on a communications degree and hopes to soon double-major in theatre and special education at Oklahoma City University, and her message rang loud and clear as other students with disabilities filled the Capitol to show off what they can do.
Why Did Oklahomans With Disabilities Gather At The Capitol?
A group of deaf high school cheerleaders preformed as hundreds of people explored the 76 exhibits put together by organizations, non-profits and state agencies. These groups are trying to help pull Oklahomans with disabilities out of poverty, but they could be endangered by the state’s budget crisis. With this in mind, some of the most talented members of the disabled community came out to show their support for these programs and Oklahomans with disabilities.
Disabilities Just Can’t Stop The Music!
Even the Oklahoma School for the Blind (OSB) got into the act as members of its jazz band played seven songs for everyone at the Capitol. The OSB band just recently got first place in their school’s division at the Green Country Jazz Festival, and they would have gotten the highest score out of all the schools attending if not for Tulsa Union—a 6A school much larger than OSB.
Following in the footstep of legends like Stevie Wonder and Ray Charles, some of these band members have aspirations of playing at the collegiate and professional levels, and with the support of friends, family, and community, they might be able to achieve these dreams.
The Tulsa disability lawyers at Troutman & Troutman want everyone to have a shot at their dreams, and in these hard times, everyone could use a boost. Contact your local government representatives, and ask them to stop cutting disability aid programs. There are many ways to address the state’s budget crisis, and cutting disability programs shouldn’t be one of them.
