Natural opposition

After reading so much from optometrists on why they oppose State Question 793, it’s important to put the issue in perspective. It’s only natural for them to oppose SQ 793. So did liquor store owners with SQ 792, which modernized our state liquor laws. The two groups are similar. Both have benefited from laws blocking competition, and both have used Walmart as a straw man. They claimed that Walmart was pushing new liquor laws that would bring grave consequences, but I believe that a large majority of people would call our new liquor laws a success. It’s time to move our state’s optometry laws into line with the rest of the country, so we can enjoy more affordable and convenient eye care.

Andrew Barber, Norman

Fed up with conservatives

I have always considered myself to be a “constitutional conservative.” I worked hard all my life and never looked for a free ride. I have always thought people should provide for themselves. This is proving to be impossible with the great divide widening between underpaid wage earners and overpriced health care and higher education. We are creating an “underclass” that is hopelessly locked into poverty, poor education, poor health and low-paying jobs. The so-called conservatives who have now dominated Oklahoma’s government own this situation. I bought into their narrative that these were caused by our “liberal” policies. Well, under their conservative policies, they have all worsened.

In the name of conservatism, our governor and legislators have thrown our seniors, children, the disabled, sick, mentally ill and our poorest workers under the bus. They have protected the very wealthy and the big businesses that keep pouring money into their campaigns. They obviously don’t care if Oklahoma residents have access to good health care or if our young people are well-prepared for college or can afford it. Their idea of funding government is to pass regressive taxes and raise fees that wring more money out of the lowest-paid citizens. Enough is enough. I am not voting for another one of them.

Cheri Wolfe, Sulphur

Wasted money

Regarding “ACT scores show need for rigor in classrooms” (Our Views, Oct. 21): I find it interesting that both governor candidates call for more teacher raises and more money for the cash-sucking education bureaucracy. The ACT scores of Oklahoma students and other reports of tests show the complete failure of the Oklahoma education bureaucracy. To consider giving another raise to the incompetents is unbelievable. As for more money, we would get more results for said money by flushing it down a toilet.

Jim Davis, Moore

A gigantic blow

Have our city council and so-called leaders gone crazy? Not funding the All Sports Association is a gigantic blow to all sports lovers, and reflects poorly on our government’s judgment. The events promoted by the All Sports Association gave Oklahoma City and the state of Oklahoma tons of favorable publicity all over the United States and parts of the world. Remember this at the next election.

Jim Allred, Oklahoma City

Oklahoma has a lot to celebrate during this National Disability Employment Awareness Month. Under Gov. Mary Fallin, 11,896 people with disabilities got new jobs in Oklahoma this past year. Our nation was founded on the principle that anyone who works hard should be able to get ahead in life. People with disabilities deserve equal opportunity to earn an income and achieve independence just like anyone else.

In total, there are 334,056 working-age people with disabilities living in Oklahoma. That includes people who are blind or deaf or have other visible conditions such as spinal cord injuries, as well as people with invisible disabilities including learning disabilities, mental health issues or Autism. Among them, 123,568, or 37 percent, have jobs. According to RespectAbility, a nonpartisan nonprofit organization that works to fight stigmas and advance opportunities for people with disabilities, Oklahoma now ranks 25th in the nation in terms of jobs for people with disabilities.

What kind of jobs are young Oklahomans with disabilities getting in today’s economy? The Norman Transcript recently told the story of Kate Shaw’s transition from a Project SEARCH intern to being an employee of Embassy Suites. Project SEARCH is a national organization that provides on-the-job experience opportunities for high school seniors with disabilities. Through partnerships with local businesses, it is a nine-month career development program.

What sorts of skills do SEARCH interns learn? “They’ve grown throughout the year in social skills, interacting, teamwork, from the basic steps to getting hired. They work very hard and they are part of the team. They just keep growing,” said Embassy Suites program coordinator Jennifer Alexander.

Project SEARCH proves that when people with disabilities are given access to the workforce, both the individual and the employers benefit.

People with disabilities can bring to the table new talents and ways of thinking. In addition, they are more likely to be loyal to a company once they are hired. Companies such as JP Morgan Chase, Coca-Cola, Walgreens, UPS, IBM and Starbucks practice inclusive hiring and have had great success. As an employer, it’s important to consider these talents and advantages when hiring workers.

People with disabilities bring unique characteristics and talents to workplaces across all sectors of Oklahoma’s economy. They can work in hospitals and hotels or apply their talents to develop computer software and website design. There are no limits to what they can do.

For more information about state rankings and employment resources, you can visit www.respectability.org. Jennifer Laszlo Mizrahi