We are a Radio Show that airs on Groovy 105.7FM every Saturday at 9:00am and Sunday at 4:00pm. After it airs live on the radio, we release the full show onto our Podcast platforms at the beginning of every week. We’re currently on Spotify, Apple, and iHeart Radio Podcasts!

“The Hidden Workforce” is about the positive impact that people who live with different abilities make to the workforce and the world around them.

On our show, you will hear:

• Stories from people who live with a massive variety of different abilities who are breaking stigmas and shattering the glass ceilings placed over them. We have had CEOs, business owners, actors, actresses, authors, community contributors, survivors, and more who live with disabilities of all types and severities on our show sharing their stories and how they are where they are today.

• Leaders from nonprofits all over the state of Oklahoma, Nationwide, and Worldwide who are serving people who live with disabilities.

• Representatives from State agencies such as DRS, DDS, and more on the programs and services they offer to serve people with disabilities.

• Service Providers and Provider Agencies.

• Inclusive Employers and Employees Ready to Work for Inclusive Employers

• and so much more!

What Did We Hear Last Week?

Last week we heard from Jeri Cooper from Jeri’s House. Jeri is the founder and Executive Director of Jeri’s House. Jeri’s House is an Oklahoma-based faith-based nonprofit organization that serves as a residential training facility for Deaf/Blind adults. They offer personalized, hands-on training to help individuals with dual sensory loss develop independence in daily living skills, such as Braille, sign language, household tasks, as well as mobility, self advocacy, and more. They also provide a Bible study and monthly social gatherings for their friends in the deaf/blind community to connect. Jeri also shared with us about the book she wrote about her life and experiences called, “Eyes of My Heart.”

Check out this episode on Spotify, Apple, or iHeart Radio to listen to it anytime you need a podcast fix!

What is Slated for This Week’s Show?

At the end of last year, we shared a series of Oklahoma legislators who have been doing some amazing work advocating for people who live with disabilities at our Oklahoma State Capitol. This week, in Episode 217, we’ll hear from an Oklahoma House Representative as we have a great open dialogue about inclusion for people who live with disabilities and build bridges with our legislators so all sides of the aisle get to share their perspectives with us as we share about inclusion with them.

Welcome Representative Clay Staires!

Representative Staires represents Oklahoma State House District 66. Representative Staires shares with us about his business, serving in the legislature, his family’s camp- Shepherds Fold Ranch, and we have an insightful conversation on inclusion of people living with disabilities in the workforce, in the policies he sees advocated for at the State Capitol, and why inclusion is important- especially if you don’t have a personal connection to it.

Tune in this weekend on Groovy 105.7 Saturday at 9:00am or Sunday at 4:00pm, or tune in to hear the show on Spotify, Apple, or iHeart Radio.

Open Ears Open Opportunities, Inc.

Open Ears Open Opportunities, Inc. is a 501(c)3 nonprofit offering a customized approach to giving people with disabilities a voice and skill-building opportunity through various disciplines of media education training, enabling and empowering them to learn how to manage their social media, create content, and share their stories through radio, video, social media, professional production experiences, podcasting, and more. 

Open Ears Open Opportunities, Inc.’s Mission is to transform perceptions of people with different abilities through media representation.

OEOO’s Vision is to see a community and world where people with different abilities’ stories are heard, equitable opportunity and access are given to them in media and the workforce, and for inclusion to be a first response, not a last resort.

The Hidden Workforce is produced by members of OEOO, so we are advocating for inclusion in the workforce while an inclusive workforce makes our radio show and podcast happen!

If you or someone you know would like to get involved with OEOO, please email [email protected].

If you would like to donate, click the button below!

Our Podcast is a Resource!

If you are searching for answers on a resource to help serve you, your child, or loved one who lives with a different ability- if you are a parent or caregiver- if you are a service provider or provider agency- if you need community… Chances are, there is an answer in one of our shows!!

So What are You Waiting for?!

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