Collaborations
between Opportunities for Ohioans with Disabilities (OOD), local schools,
businesses and other providers make it possible for youth to obtain needed
experience and skills necessary for competitive employment. One of these collaborations is Project SEARCH - a one-year high school transition program
that provides training and education that leads to employment for individuals
with disabilities.
The
cornerstone of Project SEARCH is total immersion into a participating large
business. Each day, students report to the host business and learn employable
skills. Students also participate in progress
meetings with OOD to define their career goals and plan necessary steps to
achieve those goals.
OOD
provides individual career guidance, job coaching and other supports for students to gain competitive employment. In addition, managers at the internship sites work
with the Project SEARCH instructors and job coaches to support the students.
OOD knows
that engaging students with disabilities at an earlier age gives them a much greater chance for success
throughout life. Project SEARCH sites are doing a wonderful job of training
individuals with disabilities for competitive employment and independence.
To get started on a path to employment, individuals with disabilities can visit OODWORKS.com.
Check out this recent Project SEARCH article in the Delaware Gazette: http://delgazette.com/top-stories/48110/project-search-helps-people-in-lifes-journey.
OOD
launched a new job portal in October 2016 called OODWORKS.com. This online tool provides
information about what
vocational rehabilitation (VR) actually involves, allows individuals with disabilities the opportunity to take a self-assessment and
apply for services. This is a more streamlined process and is a great tool for
anyone with a disability who is interested in getting a job or keeping a
current job.
In
an effort to reduce roadblocks for many who could benefit from VR services,
such as transportation, this new portal can help a person start the process
without having to visit an office. Once the individual is registered, it
provides an interactive option to update information such as a phone number,
address, email and even medical information significant to their case.
After
the individual or referring source completes the online application, an OOD
staff member will contact the individual to schedule an appointment. VR services
involve deciding if a person is eligible for services, setting an employment
goal, putting the goal into a plan and getting the necessary job services and
training. Start your journey to employment today by visiting OODWORKS.com.
Age-related Macular Degeneration (AMD) is the leading cause
of vision loss, affecting more than 10 million Americans. AMD is caused by the
deterioration of the central portion of the retina, the inside back layer of
the eye that records images we see and sends them via the optic nerve from the
eye to the brain.
During the month of February, the American Academy of
Ophthalmology is reminding people with AMD that they can save their vision
thanks to recent treatment advances. Early detection is a critical first step. For more
information, visit https://www.macular.org/?gclid=COez6qrKjdICFUKewAodTfgKeg.
Starting this weekend, Blind Spot: A Matter of Perception will feature 10 abstract
paintings from the Massillon Museum collection. Each painting will be translated into sonic iPad
touch screen apps and tactile models. Typewritten and Braille labels, produced
by Clovernook Center for the Blind and Visually Impaired, will enhance the
experience. For more information, visit http://www.massillonmuseum.org/blindspot.
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In observance
of President’s Day, OOD offices will be closed on Monday, February 20, 2017.
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Vocational Rehabilitation
Current
FFY2017
Individuals in Job Ready
Status: 3,182 2,653
For county level
information
& map, visit our website.
Individuals Employed:
1,937
2,114
Employed, not yet
successfully closed
Successful Closures:
2,462
Employed for over 90
days,
case closed successfully
Disability Determination
(FFY
2017 as of 2/10/2017 – Week 19)
Applications Received: 64,269
Determinations: 69,233
Productivity Per Work
Year (PPWY) 355.7
Total number of cases
processed divided
by
the number of work years funded
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