OKSAN Training

Self-Advocates wanted a leadership class they could participate in, peer trainers, a review and evaluation process, and the opportunities to take responsibilities for the training on their own.  Each training is developed by self-advocates. 

Self-Advocate Leadership Training I (SALT I)

SALT I is an introductory training in leadership and advocacy designed for people with disabilities. Participants will develop skills to assist them in becoming leaders, effective advocates, better communicators and valued partners. Other topics include: the importance of the civil rights movement, Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA); voting rights for people with disabilities; qualities of a good leaders; basic personal and systems advocacy skills; how to mentor other advocates; benefits of teamwork; developing partnerships; public speaking; and how to run a successful meeting.

Self-Advocate Leadership Training II: The Journey Continues

SALT II is an advanced leadership and advocacy training. Topics include: Rights assured through the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) andHelp America Vote Act (HAVA); impact of the Olmstead Supreme Court Decision and Homeward Bound v. The Hissom Memorial Center; development of home and community-based waivers; People First Language and Respectful Language Act; communication and advocacy skills with legislators and policy makers; healthcare and nutritional advocacy; strategic planning; discrimination/bullying; alternatives to guardianship; and teamwork and Seven Partner Values.

Let’s Make a Plan: Getting Ready for an Emergency

The Emergency Preparedness training will educate people with disabilities on what to do in case of an emergency or disaster, including fires, floods, severe weather alerts, tornadoes, ice storms, power outages, earthquakes, extreme heat alerts and pet safety. Participants will complete a personal emergency plan during the training and learn how to prepare an emergency Go-Kit. The training also educates first responders (police and fire departments, EMTs, Red Cross and emergency management personnel) on how to interact with people with disabilities during a disaster or emergency. If self-advocates know what to do during an emergency, it will take stress off the emergency response system and lead to better outcomes. 

Taking Control of Your Health

Taking Control of Your Health includes two modules. The Health Advocacy module addresses tips for healthcare providers when working with people with IDD. The training then provides information to self-advocates on scheduling appointments, communicating and being honest with health care professionals, understanding and following medical advice and plans, and making informed health care decisions. The Healthy Living module contains guidelines on better nutrition, buying healthier foods, how to read a food label, benefits to eating at home, cost comparisons of eating out or eating at home, how to eat healthier in restaurants, and being more active through physical activity. We also discuss the nutritional needs with diabetes and heart disease.

Disability Awareness: Myths vs. Realities

Disability Awareness: Why Ask Us if You Don’t Listen

Disability Awareness: Teach Us to Do It Ourselves

According to the DD Act, “Disability is a natural part of the human experience and in no way diminishes the right of individuals to participate in or contribute to society.” This training will be presented from the viewpoint of people with disabilities in dealing with real life experiences, such as, people first language, voting, job discrimination, inclusion in the community, transportation, housing, accessibility, etc.

Person-Centered Thinking Plan Facilitation

The goal of the Person-Centered Thinking project is to increase the knowledge, skills and capacity of Oklahoma service providers, families and self-advocates to utilize Person Centered Thinking tools and approaches to improve the lives of people with developmental and intellectual disabilities.

Resource Training

Using the Guide to Community Services in Oklahoma, OPF will provide an overview of services and support options in Oklahoma.

Strategic Planning

Strategic planning is the process by which leaders of a group make decisions about what it wants to do in the future and how it will get there. Using the 4+1 Tool, we focus on learning and acting on that learning. “What have we tried?” “What have we learned?” “What worked?” “What didn’t work?” Then we ask, “What should we try or do based on what we have learned?”

History of the Self-Advocacy and Disability Rights Movement

Self-advocates will train on the history of self-advocacy from the Civil Rights Acts of 1964, Voting Rights Act of 1965, Americans with Disabilities Act of 1999, Developmental Disabilities Assistance and Bill of Rights Act of 2000, and Help America Vote Act of 2000. We will also discuss many of the leaders of this movement, including Justin Dart, Ed Roberts, Tia Nelis, Julie Petty and Nancy Ward.

Vote Training

People with disabilities can make a difference with their vote. Voting is a right and responsibility of every citizen over the age of 18 in the United States. Just because you happen to have a disability does not mean you cannot vote or your vote does not matter. What it does mean, however, is that you need to learn about the how-to’s and what-for’s of the voting process and be prepared and well informed when you do vote. This is a training class that is led by self-advocates to teach other self-advocates about the importance of voting.