opportunities for ohioans with disabilities

Michael Schor is the Associate Professor of Instruction at Ohio University (OU) where he teaches finance courses and is the president of the OU Chapter of the American Association of University Professors. He was a participant with Opportunities for Ohioans with Disabilities (OOD) about fifteen years ago. Recently, Michael reached out to his former OOD Vocational Rehabilitation Counselor, Melinda Wingard, to share how he is doing.

“I think people all have special parts of their past and things in which they’re interested in that could be aborted or blocked by a disability or change in circumstances,” Michael reflected. “Whatever kinds of things people are going through, it’s important not to lose valuable parts of themselves and to have that full richness in life by removing barriers.”

Transcripts and MP3 files are available at ood.ohio.gov/podcast.

Do you have a disability? Do you want a job? OOD can help! Visit OODWorks.com or call 800-282-4536 to get started. 

Find OOD on social media: @OhioOOD.

Have a disability? Want to work? Visit OODWorks.com!

Priya Goddard is a 2021 participant of the Youth Leadership Forum (YLF) in Cleveland, a collaboration of Opportunities for Ohioans with Disabilities (OOD), the Ohio Statewide Independent Living Council, and Linking Employment, Abilities and Potential (LEAP).

 At YLF, high school juniors and seniors with disabilities participate in a weeklong career leadership training program to help prepare them to be one of Ohio's future leaders by improving leadership, citizenship, and social skills.

Priya explained that she is writing a book on autism and getting bullied. “I was really thinking about some of the things that I’ve been through but also just really wanting to help other people,” she shared. “Everybody on the spectrum has their own differences, but each one of them has something to bring that is powerful and meaningful.” 

Transcripts and MP3 files are available at ood.ohio.gov/podcast.

Do you have a disability? Do you want a job? OOD can help! Visit OODWorks.com or call 800-282-4536 to get started. 

Find OOD on social media: @OhioOOD.

Have a disability? Want to work? Visit OODWorks.com!

Jack Salvaggio of Highland Heights, Ohio is a 2017 graduate of Mayfield High School and a 2020 graduate of the Cuyahoga East Vocational Education Consortium. While a student, he connected with Opportunities for Ohioans with Disabilities (OOD) to prepare early for his career.

“I hope that people could support people with disabilities, people with autism, any kind of special needs spectrum,” Jack encourages. “Support autism awareness.”

Kenneth Crookston, OOD Vocational Rehabilitation Counselor, explained, “Jack has been employed since November 2020, and he and his family are so happy. He has been praised for his good work and earned raises and increased hours. He just has an awesome personality that truly adds to the people around him.”

Transcripts and MP3 files are available at ood.ohio.gov/podcast.

Do you have a disability? Do you want a job? OOD can help! Visit OODWorks.com or call 800-282-4536 to get started. 

Find OOD on social media: @OhioOOD.

Have a disability? Want to work? Visit OODWorks.com!

Jennifer Walker of Blacklick, Ohio is a wife, mother, and teacher. In her sixth year of teaching, her vision began to deteriorate from retinitis pigmentosa. One of the first steps she took was to reach out to the Bureau of Services for the Visually Impaired (BSVI) with Opportunities for Ohioans with Disabilities (OOD).

Transcripts and MP3 files are available at https://ood.ohio.gov/Podcast.

Do you have a disability? Do you want a job? OOD can help! Visit OODWorks.com or call 800-282-4536 to get started. 

Find OOD on social media: @OhioOOD.

Have a disability? Want to work? Visit OODWorks.com!

Opportunities for Ohioans with Disabilities’ Division of Disability Determination (DDD), in agreement with the Social Security Administration (SSA), determines medical eligibility for Ohioans who apply for Social Security disability benefits. DDD is federally regulated and receives 100% of its funding from SSA.  Under SSA, disability is based on an individual’s inability to work. 

DDD and SSA staff join the podcast to answer questions about applying for disability benefits.

·        Brandon Smith, Public Affairs Specialist with SSA 

·        Robert Fenn, Public Affairs Specialist with SSA

·        Kristen Alexander, Disability Claims Manager with DDD

·        Beth Baker, Professional Relations Officer and Field Office Liaison with DD

Learn more at SocialSecurity.Gov or call 800-772-1213.

Transcripts and MP3 files are available at https://ood.ohio.gov/Podcast.

Do you have a disability? Do you want a job? OOD can help! Visit OODWorks.com or call 800-282-4536 to get started. 

Find OOD on social media: @OhioOOD.

Have a disability? Want to work? Visit OODWorks.com!

Opportunities for Ohioans with Disabilities (OOD) Director Kevin Miller and Maria Seaman, OOD Chief Financial Officer, discuss Ohio Governor Mike DeWine's biennial Executive Budget for Fiscal Years 2022 and 2023. His commitment to making Ohio a Disability Inclusion State and Model Employer of Individuals with Disabilities has only been reinforced with this budget. 

The Governor’s proposed budget for OOD allocates sustained funding that will be considered by the Ohio Legislature over the next several months, and if approved, will help OOD continue programming and services.

Transcripts and MP3 files are available at https://ood.ohio.gov/Podcast.

Do you have a disability? Do you want a job? OOD can help! Visit OODWorks.com or call 800-282-4536 to get started. 

Find OOD on social media: @OhioOOD.

Have a disability? Want to work? Visit OODWorks.com!

Rhonda Riley is a mother, grandmother, and animal lover from Clinton County, Ohio. She sat down to speak about her struggles with substance use disorder and how a team helped her work through the obstacles she has faced.

Transcripts and MP3 files are available at https://ood.ohio.gov/Podcast.

Do you have a disability? Do you want a job? Opportunities for Ohioans with Disabilities (OOD) can help! Visit OODWorks.com or call 800-282-4536 to get started. 

Find OOD on social media: @OhioOOD.

Have a disability? Want to work? Visit OODWorks.com!

Brandon Lewis is a senior majoring in journalism at Kent State University. Concerned about securing an internship required for graduation, coupled with having a disability, Brandon reached out to Jessica Vass, Opportunities for Ohioans with Disabilities (OOD) Vocational Rehabilitation Counselor. Jessica is designated to Kent State University through Ohio College2Careers, an OOD program at 15 public colleges and universities in Ohio to ensure students with disabilities have the support they need to complete their degree and/or credential, earn higher wages, and meet the demands of tomorrow’s labor market.

Transcripts and MP3 files are available at https://ood.ohio.gov/Podcast.

Do you have a disability? Do you want a job? OOD can help! Visit OODWorks.com or call 800-282-4536 to get started. 

Find OOD on social media: @OhioOOD.

Have a disability? Want to work? Visit OODWorks.com!

Angel Colón, Kroger Senior Director of Diversity and Supplier Inclusion, and Kristen Ballinger, Deputy Director of Opportunities for Ohioans with Disabilities (OOD) Division of Employer and Innovation Services, discuss the partnership between OOD and The Kroger Co. 

OOD recognized Kroger as the 2020 Champion of Inclusion Award winner for their commitment to the inclusion of individuals with disabilities in the workplace, and for being a leader of diversity and inclusion best practices in Ohio. 

“In these days when people are struggling, people need an uplift,” said Angel. “Many of these associates have been critical in uplifting our customers…They bring that uplift that some of our customers need.”

Transcripts and MP3 files are available at https://ood.ohio.gov/Podcast.

Do you have a disability? Do you want a job? OOD can help! Visit OODWorks.com or call 800-282-4536 to get started. 

Find OOD on social media: @OhioOOD.

Have a disability? Want to work? Visit OODWorks.com!

Brock Ewing deferred graduation to participate in the EDGE (Education, Development, Growth, Employment) program, a post-secondary experience at the Ohio State School for the Blind (OSSB), tailored to assist students in preparing for adult life. Joined by Joanie Shell, Opportunities for Ohioans with Disabilities (OOD) Vocational Rehabilitation Counselor designated to OSSB, Brock shares his career plans and the steps he is taking to achieve his goal.

Transcripts and MP3 files are available at https://ood.ohio.gov/Podcast.

Do you have a disability? Do you want a job? OOD can help! Visit OODWorks.com or call 800-282-4536 to get started. 

Find OOD on social media: @OhioOOD.

Have a disability? Want to work? Visit OODWorks.com!

Alyssa Carswell returned to Thailand to teach English as a Second Language when she was hit by a car while on a scooter. She discusses her road to recovery and how she found her way to a fulfilling job thanks to Opportunities for Ohioans with Disabilities (OOD) and Step by Step Employment & Training. 

Alyssa said, “If you identify as having a disability, it can be hard to accept, but there is potential for success – there are ways around your difficulties. You just have to go down a different path.”

Transcripts and MP3 files are available at https://ood.ohio.gov/Podcast.

Do you have a disability? Do you want a job? OOD can help! Visit OODWorks.com or call 800-282-4536 to get started. 

Find OOD on social media: @OhioOOD.

Have a disability? Want to work? Visit OODWorks.com!

Jeff Davis, Director of the Ohio Department of Developmental Disabilities (DODD), and  Kevin Miller, Director of Opportunities for Ohioans with Disabilities (OOD), discuss how the agencies partner to serve Ohioans with developmental disabilities. 

Director Miller explains how the agencies work together to implement the Employment First Partnership, which helps adults with developmental disabilities start careers. “Employment First is a partnership between OOD and DODD, but it’s bigger than that. It’s the philosophy that for individuals with developmental disabilities, employment should be the first option we talk about.”

Transcripts and MP3 files are available at https://ood.ohio.gov/Podcast.

Do you have a disability? Do you want a job? OOD can help! Visit OODWorks.com or call 800-282-4536 to get started. 

Find OOD on social media: @OhioOOD.

Have a disability? Want to work? Visit OODWorks.com!

William Clark III, a recent Youngstown State University graduate, published a book in June 2020 titled The Ever So Accurate Tales of a Not So Average Man: The Testament of a Disabled Man, a collection of poems describing the challenges of growing up and living with cerebral palsy. He joins the podcast to discuss his earlier years, experience with Opportunities for Ohioans with Disabilities (OOD), professors who spurred him on, and commitment to advocating for others with disabilities. 

He explains his philosophy: “Don’t let the disability be who you are. Use it as a tool, as a weapon, to define your character, to carve out who you want to be, to carve out your future.”

Transcripts and MP3 files are available at https://ood.ohio.gov/Podcast. 

William can be reached by email at clarkwilliam.iii@gmail.com.

Have a disability? Want to work? Visit OODWorks.com!

Dr. Bill Darling, Director of Assistive Technology of Ohio, a federally-funded nonprofit organization that is part of the College of Engineering at The Ohio State University, discusses the impact Simeon Fess had on people with disabilities. Bill shares how he discovered Simeon, an Ohioan that while unfamiliar to many, was key in the creation of the Vocational Rehabilitation program during his service as a U.S. Congressman. Bill said, “The impact he had on the lives of so many people! Maybe he couldn’t even have envisioned it at the time, but it is a truly amazing program that probably would have never come into being without his vision.”

Transcripts and MP3 files are available at https://ood.ohio.gov/Podcast.

Have a disability? Want to work? Visit OODWorks.com!

Jennifer Strank is an OOD Vocational Rehabilitation Counselor in Columbiana County. “To help people work, no matter what it is – whether it’s getting back into the workforce, getting their first job, or doing whatever – it’s just a great feeling.” Jennifer explained. “Seeing the growth and self-esteem is amazing.”

Transcripts and MP3 files are available at https://ood.ohio.gov/Podcast.

Have a disability? Want to work? Visit OODWorks.com!

In this episode, OOD Director Kevin Miller discusses the agency's response to coronavirus.

Transcripts and MP3 files are available at https://ood.ohio.gov/Podcast.

Have a disability? Want to work? Visit OODWorks.com!

Mary Russ talks about her experience training as a voice actor and shares a public service announcement to encourage wearing blue in support of people with autism. She also shares about her experience applying for Social Security disability benefits. Mary is joined by Betsy Russ, her mother.

Interested in voice acting by Mary? Visit http://maryruss.icanvoice.com/.

Transcripts and MP3 files are available at https://ood.ohio.gov/Podcast.

Have a disability? Want to work? Visit OODWorks.com!

National Rehabilitation Counselors Appreciation Day is March 22, 2020, and the OOD Works Podcast features Vocational Rehabilitation Counselors this month. 

Dawn Coleman is a Senior Vocational Rehabilitation Counselor for the Bureau of Services for the Visually Impaired. “I really like seeing people get a job and meet their goal because I think work is so important. It gives people a sense of purpose,” Dawn explained. “It really just changes their lives, and I get to be a small part of that.”

Transcripts and MP3 files are available at https://ood.ohio.gov/Podcast.

Have a disability? Want to work? Visit OODWorks.com!

The OOD Division of Disability Determination (DDD), in agreement with the Social Security Administration (SSA), determines medical eligibility for Ohioans who apply for Social Security disability benefits. DDD is federally regulated and receives 100% of its funding from SSA. Under SSA, disability is based on an individual’s inability to work.

“Our staff do a good job understanding the sense of urgency that people need to get a decision quickly on their cases,” explained Rhonda Tanner, DDD Deputy Director.

Listen to hear from Rhonda and DDD Assistant Deputy Directors Tom Melfo, Teresa Gray, and Darin McCoy.

Transcripts and MP3 files are available at https://ood.ohio.gov/Podcast.

Have a disability? Want to work? Visit OODWorks.com!

Katie Frederick, OOD Program Administrator for the Bureau of Services for the Visually Impaired, joins the podcast to discuss self-advocacy, assistive technology, and Voicecorps Reading Services.

“For me, self-advocacy is knowing and understanding what I need to accomplish a task and being able to explain and share with others what my needs are,” Katie explained. “As a person with a disability, problem-solving is something I just do. It’s built in by default.”

Transcripts and MP3 files are available at https://ood.ohio.gov/Podcast.

Have a disability? Want to work? Visit OODWorks.com!