Weekly Focus May 8, 2015

An update and information report for doctors who provide consultative exams for OOD’s Division of Disability Determination
Opportunities for Ohioans with Disabilities

Kevin L. Miller, Executive Director

May 8, 2015

The mission of the Opportunities for Ohioans with Disabilities Agency is to ensure individuals with disabilities achieve quality employment, independence and disability determination outcomes.

What's Inside:

Deaf Summit Held in Columbus

Deaf Summit OSU
Summit particpants strategize about improving outcomes for Deaf Ohioans

 

This week OOD participated in a 2-day summit, “Improving Transition Outcomes for Deaf Ohioans through Collaboration,” facilitated by LEANOhio and Dr. Joseph Innes, Principal at Entrepreneurial Solutions International.

 

The event was held at the Ohio Union on the Campus of The Ohio State University in Columbus. The goal was to provide an opportunity for state agency representatives to come together, receive data on the current state of employment for Ohioans who are deaf or hard of hearing, share and learn about services available to this population, and recommend a method to improve state services through interagency collaboration. All with the ultimate goal of improved outcomes for the population of Ohioans who are deaf and hard of hearing.

 

Other participating agencies included:

  • Office for Exceptional Children, Ohio Department of Education
  • Ohio Department of Developmental Disabilities
  • Ohio Department of Job and Family Services
  • Ohio Department of Mental Health and Addiction Services
  • Ohio School for the Deaf

I want to thank all of the partner agencies for their thoughtful participation in this important event.  Also, thank you to OOD staff for their hard work in preparing for and participating in the summit.

 

I am confident that this work will spur more effective collaboration and better outcomes for Ohioans who are deaf or hard of hearing.

 


Adult Vision Screening Trainings

Half of all blindness can be prevented through early detection and treatment. With this important fact in mind, on Thursday Toledo BSVI hosted the second of four trainings being conducted by Stephanie Koscher, Director of Marketing and Community Services, Prevent Blindness Ohio. Training participants included BSVI counselors, as well as several caseload assistants and rehabilitation counselors for the deaf who may work with at-risk consumers.

 

The vision training allows participants to:

  • Perform near and distance visual acuity screenings
  • Educate people about “aging eye” diseases and disorders
  • Describe Adult Vision Screening Guidelines published by Prevent Blindness America
  • Upon successful completion of the training, become nationally certified to provide adult vision screenings for three years and be eligible to receive vision screening equipment

Training also includes how to refer potential consumers who qualify for free glasses and further exams through a program from Prevent Blindness Ohio.

 

The remaining two trainings will be held in Cincinnati, May 14th and in Akron, May 19th.


Business Enterprise Program Annual Statewide Conference

Participants enjoy Conference
Participants enjoy the Business Enterprise Program Statewide Conference

 

The Business Enterprise Program, part of the Bureau of Services for the Visually Impaired (BSVI), provides people who are legally blind with employment opportunities as managers and operators of food service facilities; often in government buildings and at roadside rest stops. 

Each year the program holds an annual conference to foster continued personal and professional development, information sharing, and problem solving.  Attendance at this year’s conference increased 34 percent over past years with participation representing 63 percent of all managers and operators throughout the state.

 

Presenters at this year’s conference included:  National Federation of the Blind, Bureau of Workers' Compensation, Social Security Administration, Department of Taxation, Randolph-Sheppard Vendors of America, Universal Low Vision Aids, and the Ohio Blind Vendors. 

 

In addition, various manager/operator achievements were recognized.  Paul Comanescu, Jerry Rose, and the very recently deceased Jeffrey George, were recognized for 35 years of service to the program.

 

Congratulations to all the operators for another successful year and best wishes for continued success in the coming year.

 

Job Ready Status by County

Individuals in Job Ready Status* Statewide: 3,792

(For larger map and county details please click here)

Individuals in Job Ready Status by County

*Job Ready Status: received Vocational Rehabilitation services and are ready and seeking employment.


Happy Mother's Day

I hope you will all take time this weekend to say thank you to all mothers!

Happy Mother's Day