FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
Contact: State Rep. Paul Wesselhöft
Capitol: (405) 557-7343
Moore: (405) 517-7148
Disabled Oklahomans May Get New Name for Agency
OKLAHOMA CITY -In an attempt to cast Oklahoma's disabled community in a more positive light, legislation to change a state agency's name now heads to the governor's desk.
House Bill 1084, by state Rep. Wesselhöft, will rename the Oklahoma Office of Handicapped Concerns as the Office of Disability Concerns.
Wesselhöft said his bill has the support of the Office of Handicapped Concerns
"It is important that we be sensitive to the disabled community to make sure they are viewed as people with disabilities and not 'handicapped,'" said Wesselhöft. "We need to do whatever we can to show our support."
The word handicap comes from the expression "cap in hand," a reference to beggars that many people with disabilities think is inappropriate and belittles their ability to function as everyday citizens.
House Bill 1084 has passed both chambers of the Oklahoma Legislature, receiving unanimous approval from the House of Representatives on Monday.
Wesselhoft encouraged Gov. Brad Henry to sign the bill.
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