The Center for Learning and Leadership/UCEDD director, staff and faculty congratulate and welcome, Jill Jacobs! Jill was recently named as the new Commissioner for Administration on Disabilities (AoD) within the Administration for Community Living (ACL). Read more about the announcement from ACL on Jill Jacobs.

To celebrate African American History Month, the Center for Learning and Leadership/UCEDD is highlighting exceptional African American leaders and advocates with disabilities. Many African Americans with disabilities have made lasting contributions and advanced rights for all people with disabilities, while promoting visibility and equity for all. Read more about Black advocates with disabilities and their work to promote inclusion, diversity and equality.

The Arc of Oklahoma recently honored Dr. Valerie Williams with the Lifetime Achievement Award in Advocacy Award. This award recognizes the individual, group or organization that has worked to improve the lives of people with disabilities throughout their lifetime. Please join us in congratulating Dr. Williams on the incredible impact she has made in Oklahoma for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities and their families since 1990. Watch Dr. Williams receive the award and talk about her 31 year career as the Director for The Center for Learning and Leadership/Oklahoma UCEDD. Congratulations! We are so proud of you!

Members of our Oklahoma community are invited to participate in the CLL-UCEDD Environmental Scan. The survey is available here: https://ousurvey.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_6Jte8gCkgNs0mO2

To those that have already taken the time to complete it, we thank you.  To those that have not yet done it, we value your opinion and would appreciate 5 minutes of your time to complete it. 

From Dr. Valerie N. Williams, Director, and the Faculty and Staff of the Center for Learning and Leadership

Dear Friends, Neighbors and Partners,
As we approach the holidays of this season, the Center for Learning and Leadership faculty and staff send you our warm greetings and best wishes for a Merry Christmas, Happy Kwanzaa, and Peace in the New Year. If you are celebrating other remembrances during this season, we wish you well.

National Hispanic Heritage Month celebrates the culture, contributions and achievements of the Latino community. The 2021 theme is “Esperanza: A celebration of Hispanic Heritage and Hope.” The Latino population is the largest racial and ethnic minority in the U.S. The HHS Office of Minority Health (OMH) will be promoting disease prevention and other health resources for the Hispanic/Latino communities during the month. Learn more information from the HHS Fact Sheet on the website.

When Jacqueline Devereaux started planning her daughter Carla’s graduation, she realized she not only needed to plan the cake and decorations, but for the rest of her daughter’s life…

Are you a caregiver for a person who is at higher risk of difficulties if exposed to, or infected by, the COVID-19 virus? Are you trying to find a vaccine site near you? To help families and communities, Oklahoma is participating in VaccineFinder, a website that can help Oklahomans connect to available vaccine appointments. Oklahomans can also call 2-1-1 (available in English and Spanish) to find out their nearest vaccination sites. To see a fact sheet about the vaccine in plain language, visit the Oklahoma State Department of Health vaccine FAQs page .