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 Sherri Coats, Director of Special Education Programs and Lori Chesnut, Secondary Transition Specialist from the Oklahoma State Department of Education Special Education Services.

Sherri and Lori shared all about the Oklahoma State Department of Education’s Special Education Services- who they are, what they do, the programs and supports they provide for school districts all throughout the State of Oklahoma, how they help support and uphold the IDEA throughout the state as well as measures being taken in the legislature to continue protections over the IDEA and students with disabilities, and more!

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?

This week we welcome another candidate, this one running for Oklahoma Attorney General in Episode 225 of The Hidden Workforce!

Welcome Candidate, Nick Coffey!

Nick shares with us about why he is running for office, his experiences that have shaped him to run for office such as being a former Federal Prosecutor under both President Trump’s 1st administration as well as former President Biden’s administration, and with a couple questions inspired by the Developmental Disability Council of Oklahoma’s candidate questionnaire, we explore specifically how AG Candidate Coffey would address helping and serving Oklahomans who live with disabilities through the office of the Attorney General.

You do not want to miss this show!

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!

To learn more about OEOO’s programs visit: https://openearsopenopportunities.org/

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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