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Dale Rogers Training Center

When Dale Rogers Training Center (DRTC) opened in 1953, there were almost no services available to children with developmental disabilities. The families of approximately 20 children with mental retardation banded together to provide mutual support, day care and education. Although the organization incorporated as the “Oklahoma County Council for Mentally Retarded Children,” it adopted its better-known name in honor of film star Dale Evans Rogers, one of the first advocates for persons with mental retardation. She and her husband, Roy Rogers, became parents of a daughter, Robin Elizabeth who was born with Down Syndrome. Robin died shortly before her second birthday. Dale wrote the inspirational bestseller Angel Unaware, chronicling the impact that Robin had on their lives. Dale and Roy both were very influential in changing public perceptions of children born with developmental disabilities and served as role models for many parents.

In the decades of the 60’s and 70’s awareness of the rights of individuals with disabilities grew and public schools were charged with providing education for children with disabilities. Federal and state legislation outlined programs to provide training and work opportunities in sheltered and community environments. During these years, Dale Rogers’ programs and services continued to evolve in response to these changes and community need.

During the 80’s and 90’s Dale Rogers Training Center experienced a time of rapid growth. Currently, Dale Rogers provides training or employment to over 1,000 teenagers and adults and is the oldest and largest provider of community services in Oklahoma. It offers a wide array of training programs and employment opportunities.

The current programs and services provided by DRTC for individuals with disabilities include:

•	A Special Needs Program for persons with multiple disabilities, •	a School to Work Transition Program in coordination with 14 different schools in 4 different districts, •	A Sheltered Workshop that provides work/training through outside subcontracts, •	Prism Place - where trophies and acrylic awards are produced by people with disabilities, •	A large Supported Employment Program which places individuals into community jobs.

In addition, DRTC provides work opportunities through federal contracts to provide full food service employment and custodial jobs for people with disabilities at Tinker Air Force Base in Midwest City, OK and food service employment for people with disabilities at Altus Air Force Base. DRTC also implements custodial jobs for people with disabilities at the Federal Court House, downtown Post Office, and the new Federal Building located in downtown Oklahoma City.