Weekly Focus - April 29, 2016

Opportunities for Ohioans with Disabilities sent this bulletin at 04/29/2016 03:31 PM EDT

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

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:

Commissioner Blake Haxton Headed to Rio for Paralympics
Opportunities for Students with Sensory Loss
Transportation Training at OOD
Did you know? Connect with OOD on LinkedIn
OOD by the Numbers

Photo: US Rowing

Commissioner Blake Haxton Headed to Rio for Paralympics

OOD Commissioner Blake Haxton is headed to Rio de Janeiro for the 2016 Paralympic Games. Commissioner Haxton qualified for a berth on the 2016 U.S. Paralympic Rowing Team during trials in Sarasota, Florida. Haxton already has fourth and fifth place finishes at the last two World Championships under his belt, missing the podium in 2014 by one second.

The Paralympic Games in Rio will be held September 7-18.

After his success at qualifying, Commissioner Haxton, 26, is now focused on his law school finals at Ohio State. He is a graduate of Upper Arlington High School and The Ohio State University. Commissioner Haxton, works closely with The Hartford, a Founding Partner of U.S. Paralympics, a division of the U.S. Olympic Committee, helping to positively change public attitudes and perceptions about disability.

Congratulations, Blake! Best of luck in both your law school finals and Rio this fall.

Follow Commissioner Haxton and the U.S. Paralympic Rowing Team, by visiting: http://www.usrowing.org/pressbox/athletebios/blakehaxton and http://www.usrowing.org/

Opportunities for Students with Sensory Loss

Here at OOD, we recognize that postsecondary education can be an important part of a successful career plan, but financial assistance is frequently a challenge. With that in mind, below are some scholarships opportunities due in May. These opportunities are specifically relevant for students with vision and hearing loss, plus those who have an interest in those fields.

Due May 15: Annual $1,500 scholarship from Friends-in-Art (FIA), for college students who are legally blind. If you are a high school senior or college student, and are planning or currently majoring in, music, art, drama, or creative writing, view this opportunity here: www.friendsinart.com
Due May 15: Three National Federation of the Blind (NFB) Ohio college scholarships ranging from $1,000-$1,500. Academic performance, community service, and financial need are each consideration factors, plus a willingness to attend the NFB Ohio convention in November. For guidelines, eligibility and application, see http://nfbohio.org/new/scholarship-application/
Due May 6: For those whose colleges have an ASL Honor Society, from American Sign Language Teachers Association, this scholarship is for students majoring or minoring in ASL, Deaf Studies, Deaf Education, or Interpreting. Minimum scholarship amount is $1,250. Details: http://www.aslhonorsociety.org/Honor_Society_scholarship.html
Due May 23: The American Speech-Language-Hearing Foundation invites full-time students joining or now enrolled in a graduate program in communication sciences and disorders to apply for support. Scholarships are available to undergraduate seniors or students currently pursuing a master's or doctoral degree. See numerous funding opportunities here: http://www.ashfoundation.org/grants/Graduate-Student-Scholarship/
Due May 26: Louise Tumarkin Zazove Foundation Scholarship, is open to Any U.S. citizen or permanent resident with significant bilateral hearing loss who is a current or upcoming college undergraduate. Note: with appropriate conditions, the scholarship may continue throughout college. http://www.ltzfoundation.org/scholarships.php

Transportation Training at OOD

Kathy Kiker facilitating a transportation regional training session

This week Kathy Kiker from the Vocational Rehabilitation (VR) Policy and Training unit, with the assistance of the VR Training Supervisors, facilitated the final training sessions focused on the new Transportation Procedure. This was the 5th of five regional training sessions, with many more training opportunities to be offered, as VR continues to move forward with new policies and procedures. Regional trainings were chosen because of the more interactive learning environment.

Did you know? Connect with OOD on LinkedIn

Did you know OOD is now on LinkedIn? We are growing our presence on the world’s largest business-oriented social networking service. Follow our page to learn about career opportunities, professional development, news and information: https://www.linkedin.com/company/opportunities-for-ohioans-with-disabilities.