Workers with disabilities tell Oklahoma task force transportation, stigma and pay shape jobs

Hundreds of Oklahomans’ personal accounts of work and pay framed the opening of the Oklahoma Legislature task force’s hearing on employment for people with disabilities.

Many speakers described jobs that brought community, independence and income but also obstacles that make sustained employment difficult. Morgan Davis, a self-advocacy training coordinator with the Developmental Disability Council of Oklahoma, told the panel that “our experiences should be heard and considered when decisions are being made about fair pay and equal opportunities for all.” Davis said hybrid schedules and assistive technology — voice-to-text software and smaller mobile devices — make steady work possible when transportation is unreliable.

The details lawmakers heard ranged from everyday supports to long-standing policy concerns. Boston Tracy, who survived a traumatic brain injury, said he was hired for drafting work but was later marginalized by a supervisor; he now earns $10 an hour at an employer that offers growth and respect. “When employers focus only on limitations, people like me get overlooked,” he said. Several speakers described saving in ABLE accounts for mobility aids and other goals; others contrasted piece-rate pay with minimum wage and said they wanted higher, predictable pay to cover housing and transportation costs.

Why it matters: Panel members said the testimony underscores that pay and workplace culture are not abstract policy debates but daily realities that affect independence and family finances. Task force members repeatedly raised two practical barriers: transportation in rural areas and employer reluctance or lack of knowledge about hiring people with disabilities.

Members and presenters pointed to models that pair employer outreach with hands-on experience. A task force member described “reverse job fairs” that let candidates present skills to rotating employers; another highlighted Project SEARCH internships as a pipeline that gives transition‑age students on‑the‑job experience and helps employers see candidates’ capabilities.

What speakers asked for: Testifiers and task force members urged expanded employer education, clearer benefits planning for workers concerned about losing disability supports, stronger supports for on‑the‑job training and a push to move from piece-rate or sheltered‑workshop arrangements toward community employment at a wage that covers basic needs.

Quotes from testifiers punctuated the conversation. Dr. Brad Mays, a self-advocate and coordinator at the Developmental Disability Council, framed the wage issue in ethical terms: “If a business deems a task necessary for goods and or services it provides, why then should a person with a disability receive lower than minimum wage?”

Next steps: Task force co-chair Senator Julia Kirk and other members asked staff to gather models and data for the June meeting, with the goal of producing working groups or draft priorities that could address employer engagement, benefits planning (including ABLE accounts) and transitional supports. No formal votes or policy decisions were taken at this session.