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The Arc of Oklahoma posthumously honored local direct support professional Dustin Rabatine during the 2021 Advocacy Awards, which recognizes trailblazers who are making Oklahoma more inclusive for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD.) Rabatine was a direct service provider at Bios.
“Advocacy honorees like Dustin are truly changing how society perceives and treats Oklahomans with IDD,” said Lisa Turner, CEO for The Arc of Oklahoma. “Each honoree has done something remarkable that helps fulfill our mission to promote and protect the human rights of people with IDD. Honorees are unique in their accomplishments but are unified by their tireless pursuit of inclusion.”
Rabatine posthumously received the Direct Care Provider Advocate of the Year Award, which recognizes the direct care or staff person working for a community provider who has gone beyond job requirements to advocate for Oklahomans with disabilities.
“Dustin took his clients on camping events, facilitated vacations for the people Bios supported, and even helped a client to obtain a driver’s license,” said nominator Martin Blackmore. “He always wanted to create adventure for the people he served and supported. Dustin constantly created safe environments to share experiences, to share adventure, and to share kindness.”
The Arc of Oklahoma advocates with and serves Oklahomans of all ages with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD), including Down syndrome, autism, cerebral palsy and more than 100 other diagnoses. Our mission is to promote and protect the human rights of people with IDD and actively support their full inclusion and participation in the community throughout their lifetimes and without regard to diagnosis.
