Kentucky Office of Vocational Rehabilitation

08/17/2026

Congratulations to the 2026-2027 Coca-Cola Merit Scholarship recipients 🎉🎉🎉

•Analisa Stevenson of Louisville is attending the University of Louisville, where she is pursuing a bachelor’s degree in philosophy on the pre-law track. Analisa earned Dean’s List recognition during her first year of college and has been active in community service and leadership. As a high school student, she was selected as one of 45 students from around the world to attend the St. Albans School of Public Service in Washington, D.C., where she explored government, public policy and law. She plans to attend law school and pursue a career that allows her to advocate for and serve others.

•Brandon Rister of Quincy is attending Shawnee State University in Portsmouth, Ohio, where he is pursuing a bachelor’s in psychology. A Dean’s List student, Brandon is working to complete his undergraduate degree in three years. He chose psychology because of his desire to help people better understand themselves and plans to gain professional experience after graduation. His long-term goal is to earn a master’s degree in psychology and pursue certification in mental health counseling, using his education and experiences to positively impact the lives of others.

•Kelsie Yates of Glasgow is attending Bluegrass Massage Institute, where she is pursuing training to become a licensed massage therapist (LMT). Kelsie earned a Doctor of Pharmacy degree, graduating magna cm laude, and built a career in health care that included emergency medicine pharmacy and pharmacy operations management. With support from OVR, she became a certified equine massage therapist and founded Equine Wellness Solutions. She plans to combine her health care background and massage therapy education to provide therapeutic care for both riders and horses while expanding access to therapeutic bodywork.

The Coca-Cola Merit Scholarship program reflects the continued commitment of OVR, KBE and Coca-Cola to support educational opportunities and help individuals pursue pathways to greater independence, professional growth and future success.

Kentucky Education and Labor Cabinet

08/05/2026

To learn more specific details about Pre-ETS through OVR, please visit our website: https://kcc.ky.gov/Vocational-Rehabilitation/seeking-services/programservices/Pages/Transition-Services-for-Students.aspx

Kentucky Education and Labor Cabinet

Lorraine & Markeita are kicking off “The OWL Academy” Pre-Employment Transition Services (Pre-ETS) today! OWL offers Pre-ETS in both schools and through our own Community-Based Learning Series, and helps students aged 14-21 learn & skills, while pursuing & opportunities. Shout out to Fayette County Public Schools for hosting the event today.

Our first round of classes begins on August 25! For more information, contact us at (859)440-3527, or send us a message. There is no cost to individuals or families for this service. Pre-ETS funding is provided through the Kentucky Office of Vocational Rehabilitation. Give us a call to see what we are all about!

07/28/2026

July 26th marked the 36th anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), a civil rights law that protects the rights of people with disabilities in all areas of life.

Kentucky Education and Labor Cabinet

Today marks the 36th anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), a civil rights law that protects the rights of people with disabilities in all areas of life.

According to 2022 data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), more than 1 in 4 U.S. adults have some type of disability. This number continues to grow due to increases in noncommunicable diseases and people living longer, which may increase the likelihood of experiencing disability related to aging.

U.S. Census Bureau data shows that 10.5 million U.S. adults with disabilities were employed in 2024. Data from the Social Security Administration (SSA) shows that 1 in 4 workers who were age 20 in 2022 are expected to become disabled before reaching retirement age.

Disability is part of being human and is integral to the human experience. People with disabilities are a diverse group, and disability intersects with factors such as s*x, age, religion, race, ethnicity, and socioeconomic status. Disability impacts all of us, and anyone can experience a disability at some point in life.

As the ADA turns 36 today, let’s use this milestone to increase awareness of disability and continue learning about the law that protects the rights of people with disabilities. We started our ADA Anniversary social media campaign last month, sharing different resources related to disability and the ADA every week. We compiled this information into a list of resources for you to access and share.
Link: Linktr.ee/ADA36

Share this information, and help us increase awareness of the ADA!

Happy 36th Anniversary to the ADA! Happy 35th Anniversary to the Great Lakes ADA Center!

07/23/2026

Invisible disabilities may not be obvious, but they’re a fact of life for so many people. Everyone deserves respect, empathy and access to resources and accommodations that make the world more accessible.

Kentucky Education and Labor Cabinet

07/16/2026

July is Disability Pride Month!

Disability Pride Month is observed every July to celebrate disability identity and community, mark the anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), and push for full inclusion in everyday life. The 2026 theme is “The World Works Better With Us.”

Read more about it at the link below:

https://thearc.org/blog/why-and-how-to-celebrate-disability-pride-month/

Kentucky Education and Labor Cabinet

What Disability Pride Month is, the 2026 theme “The World Works Better With Us,” why it matters now, and ways to celebrate and take action.

05/28/2026

7 signs you need a hearing test.
Know when to have your hearing tested. Your ears, and your loved ones, will thank you.

05/21/2026

It's Global Accessibility Awareness Day! Take a moment below to read from Carol Weber, the Assistive Technology Branch Manager with OVR and KATS Network Director.

"Today, May 21, 2026, is Global Accessibility Awareness Day. It gives us a chance to talk about, think about, and learn about digital accessibility and inclusion. Digital accessibility means that websites, apps, documents, and other digital resources are designed so that people with disabilities can use them effectively.

My challenge for everyone today is to just take a step and learn how you can better make your documents more accessible and usable by everyone. Take a minute and look at the awesome resources on digital accessibility on the KATS Network website. https://www.katsnet.org/resources/accessible-ict/creating-and-testing-accessible-webpages/

Kentucky Education and Labor Cabinet

Making webpages accessible is essential to ensure that everyone can interact with and use online content regardless of ability. An accessible website benefits all users, including those with disabilities who use assistive technologies like screen readers, keyboard navigation, or speech recognition s...

05/20/2026

How can work fit into your future? Join the FREE Choose Work! webinar to discover new opportunities and connect with resources designed to help you succeed. Take the step toward meaningful employment and tune in to the WISE on May 27 from 3 - 4:30 p.m. ET. Register now: https://choosework.ssa.gov/wise/

After the webinar, contact Choose Work! to learn more and get connected with an employment team that can help you meet your goals. Let’s explore what’s possible — together!

Kentucky Education and Labor Cabinet

Attend a free Work Incentive Seminar Event (WISE) online webinar to learn about the Ticket to Work program or Work Incentives.

05/12/2026

Happening this Friday, May 15th at the Charles W. McDowell Center for the Blind! See information below:

Kentucky Education and Labor Cabinet

It’s almost time!

Visit us in Louisville at the Charles W. McDowell Center for the Blind at 8412 Westport Road in Louisville on Friday, May 15 from 1:00 to 4:00pm.

Drop in any time during the program to meet your librarians, see the new Talking Book Player, and meet community partners including NFB-Newsline, Central Kentucky Radio Eye, and Braille Tales. Staff at the McDowell Center will also be offering tours of the facility.

Our librarians can also sign you up on site if you qualify for talking books but haven’t signed up yet! If you’re already a talking books user with questions about your account or access to BARD, they can provide assistance.

We hope to see you there for our KTBL Roadshow Resource Fair!

04/15/2026

April 15th is National ASL Day!