One of the aspects of my job that I enjoy the most is
learning about the inspiring stories of the individuals we serve. They never fail to remind we why this work is
so important and the impact it can have on Ohioans with disabilities. A recent case from Portage County is a
perfect example.
Through our partnership with the Mental Health and Recovery
Board of Portage County, we began working with an individual who had been on
social security benefits for many years due to anxiety and bipolar
disorder. This college graduate with a
degree in education, however, wanted to work.
After a vocational evaluation, benefits analysis and guidance from a
counselor, this 44 year-old began working with a job developer on his job
search this summer.
This led to an offer from a local school district to serve
as a permanent substitute teacher. He
now performs substitute teacher or administrative duties wherever he is needed
each day. After 18 years without steady
employment, what an accomplishment and a true success for all.
This is another example of the importance of a motivated vocational
rehabilitation team. The individual, the
counselor, the coordinator, the supervisor, the job developer, and the Mental
Health and Recovery Board, worked together to achieve this success. Great job everyone!
As part of National Disability Employment Awareness Month
(NDEAM), in October, OOD hosted four regional job fairs in Cincinnati, Columbus,
Maumee and Independence. These job fairs
involved over 150 employers connecting with nearly 900 job ready
candidates. They also featured an
educational workshop for employers relevant to recruiting a diverse
workforce.
I am happy to report that these events continue to produce
results for both the companies and the job seekers who attended. To date, we have had 62 individuals with
disabilities find integrated community employment (many for the first time), as
a direct result of attending a job fair.
Additionally, 86 individuals are now in employed status after having
attended a job fair. Interviews and
applications are still ongoing as candidates implement what they have learned
from these events.
Thanks again to everyone who made these events a
success! We have already begun building
on this success, to have an even greater impact next year.
The November
6 edition of the Weekly Focus featured an article highlighting the work of
the Division of Disability Determination (DDD).
This division, in agreement with the Social Security Administration
(SSA), determines medical eligibility for Ohioans who apply for Social Security
disability benefits. This week, I wanted
to share some further details about the process of disability determination.
The application process starts at the local SSA field
offices around Ohio when an individual completes an application. If they are
filing for disability benefits, the claim is sent electronically to DDD to
determine medical eligibility. An adjudicative team works to make disability
determinations for each individual claim.
The Social Security disability programs are medical-legal
entities. The disability decision is an administrative decision. Determinations
are made on the basis of functional information, medical evidence, and
laboratory findings demonstrated by medically and/or psychologically acceptable
clinical methods.
Such findings provide necessary medical evidence in
adjudicating the claim. The adjudicative team must make an independent judgment
regarding the nature, severity, and duration of all impairments based on
evidence submitted by treating sources, hospitals, and consultative examiners
on each claim.
Last Federal Fiscal Year (FFY 2015), DDD determined the
eligibility for 191,607 Ohioans. This
year (FFY 2016) the division is expected to process 196,152 claims.
For a chart outlining the disability determination process, please click on the above chart or visit our website.
Did you know that the Library of Congress offers a free
braille and talking book library service for people with temporary or permanent
low vision, blindness, or a physical disability that prevents them from reading
or holding the printed page? Through a national network of cooperating
libraries, the National Library Service for the Blind and Physically
Handicapped (NLS) offers books in braille or audio formats, mailed for free, or
instantly downloadable.
For more information please visit the NLS website at http://www.loc.gov/programs/national-library-service-for-the-blind-and-physically-handicapped/.
Vocational Rehabilitation
Individuals in Job Ready
Status: 3,701
(For county level
information
and map visit
our website)
Individuals Employed: 2,079
(Employed, not yet
successfully closed)
Successful Closures: 1,391*
(Employed for over 90
days,
case closed
successfully)
*FFY 2016
Disability Determination
(FFY2016
as of 11/27)
Applications
Received:
37,527
Determinations: 40,026
Productivity Per Work
Year (PPWY)
385.8
(Total number of cases
processed divided
by the number of work
years funded)
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