Our GREAT STATE By LaShanya Nash Oklahomans have a lot to be proud of in our state programs and the Oklahoma Department of Rehabilitation Services Business Enterprise Program is a longstanding hidden gem. What an honor to showcase this program and how it continues to positively impact lives today. Through the federally enacted RandolphSheppard Act of 1936 and Oklahoma State Statute Title 7, DRS’ Services for the Blind and Visually Impaired operates the Business Enterprise Program. BEP provides employment opportunities for people who are legally blind by assisting them in becoming Licensed Managers and establishing food service operations across the state.
These operations may consist of vending machine routes, cafeterias, or a variety of different types of snack bars. To accomplish this, BEP aids entrepreneurs by providing extensive business training, licensing business owners, locating and equipping locations, securing initial inventory, and offering ongoing business consultation services. BEP entrepreneurs are educated in the areas of food safety, hospitality, marketing and business management. A portion of each business’ proceeds is paid to DRS to help support the program. I had the pleasure of sitting down with Billy Rogers, Licensed Vendor, his wife Annie, who is also his driver and assistant, along with Greg Nelson, OKDRS BEP Business Consultant to discuss how the program works, Insight on a typical day in their lives and to my surprise the Rogers personal story of meeting and falling in love. After hearing Greg Nelson give a brief overview of the OKDRS Business Enterprise Program at a networking meeting. I asked him to share more information about the BEP. He commented,
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CAREGIVER Magazine
Issue 20
CaregiverOklahoma.com
