voc rehab

Mykenna Roy recently completed her first year at The Ohio State University where she is pursuing a Bachelor of Arts in Public Management, Leadership, and Policy and a Bachelor of Science in Biology while being on a pre-med educational track.

Deaf in both ears since birth, Mykenna wears bilateral hearing aids. She has utilized resources in and out of school to help with her disability, including support from Opportunities for Ohioans with Disabilities (OOD).

When she and a few of her peers realized that they had experienced similar challenges in the healthcare system, they decided to do something about it. Their startup company Aleph Innovations is working to leverage artificial intelligence technology to better address the most pressing issues affecting patients.

“My work is important to me because as a young individual who is growing up in a world that was built by generations before me, I know that if I want to see things change, I’m going to need to be the change,” Mykenna explained.

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.

Connect with OOD on social media:
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Twitter: https://twitter.com/OhioOOD/
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Have a disability? Want to work? Visit OODWorks.com!

Cindy Shunk of Sylvania, Ohio is a strong self-advocate. Knowing her rights, she asks for what she needs and wants. She is clear that she prefers to be treated like everyone else. Over the years, she has received support from Opportunities for Ohioans with Disabilities (OOD) because she is blind.

 After she graduated with a bachelor’s degree, Cindy tried applying for jobs in radio but eventually went in a different direction. When she learned of an opportunity to participate in a master’s degree program, she took it.

 Even with a master’s degree, finding a job did not come easily. Through hard work and determination, Cindy landed a job that she enjoyed, but then she lost the position because of the pandemic.

Cindy persisted again and found a new job, but it wasn’t a good fit. With help from OOD, Cindy, who continued to refuse to give up, found a position where she enjoys helping others.

A guest on the OOD Works podcast, Cindy explains her persisting philosophy and shares about her rewarding job today. She is joined by Dawn Coleman, OOD Vocational Rehabilitation Supervisor with the Bureau of Services for Visually Impaired.

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.

Connect with OOD on social media:
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/OhioOOD
Twitter: https://twitter.com/OhioOOD/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ohioood/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/ood/
YouTube: https://youtube.com/@OhioOOD

Sign up for our newsletter and other email updates at https://public.govdelivery.com/accounts/OHOOD/subscribers/qualify.

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

Vocational Rehabilitation Counselors with Opportunities for Ohioans with Disabilities (OOD) provide direct, personalized services to help individuals with disabilities find and retain meaningful work. Hear firsthand from eight counselors throughout the state to learn what Vocational Rehabilitation is all about.

Dana Young, Jessica Galloway, Barbara Sloan, Andrew Ellis, Sarah Jordan, Eric Bostick, Tiffany McGuire-Edwards, and Lori Case are the counselors interviewed.

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!