Weekly Focus March 31, 2017

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

March 31, 2017

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:

OOD 2017 State of the State Events

state

 

On Tuesday, April 4th, OOD staff will be traveling to Sandusky for events surrounding Governor John Kasich’s State of the State address. While in the region, OOD along with other cabinet-level agencies, will be hosting a variety of events highlighting the work we do with partners and individuals with disabilities. OOD’s focus this year is on the different pathways available to help individuals with disabilities achieve quality employment and increased independence.

  • EHOVE Career Center Recognition (316 West Mason Rd., Milan OH) – 9:30 a.m.  With our state agency partners from the Department of Higher Education, Office of Workforce Transformation and Department of Education, we will recognize EHOVE Career Center and highlight the Ohio Transition Support Partnership (OTSP) and the Adult Basic and Literacy Education initiative (ABLE), specifically bringing attention to the Basic Braille Instructional Services.
  • Employer Training and Recognition at Great Wolf Lodge (4600 Milan Rd., Sandusky, OH) – 10 a.m. Employer Disability Etiquette Training & 11:15 a.m. Employer Recognition.  With our state agency partners from the Department of Job and Family Services and the Office of Workforce Transformation, we will recognize and honor Great Wolf Lodge and other local employers for hiring individuals with disabilities.
  • Sawmill Creek Resort Employer Recognition (400 Sawmill Creek Drive, Huron) – 1:30 p.m. We will be joined by the Department of Developmental Disabilities to highlight Employment First and recognize Sawmill Creek.
  • Steak ‘n Shake (4620 Milan Rd., Sandusky) – 3 p.m. We will be joined by the Department of Developmental Disabilities to highlight Employment First and recognize Steak ‘n Shake and Ability Works.

We are excited about visiting Sandusky to showcase the great work we are doing in the region, while acknowledging the important work of our partners. Connect to OOD on Facebook and Twitter #OHSotS as we visit and honor our partners in Sandusky.

 

That evening, Governor Kasich will offer his State of the State address and highlight the progress Ohio has made over the last 12 months and the important work that remains.


OOD Director Miller and Son Testify on House Bill 115

miller and son

Click on this link to see a video of Director Miller, with his son Connor, discussing his testimony on House Bill 115. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u8I1OCLxwtA&feature=youtu.be

 

On Wednesday, OOD Director Kevin Miller and his son Connor, who is on the Autism spectrum, offered proponent testimony on House Bill 115 sponsored by Representatives Theresa Gavarone and Scott Wiggam. This bill will improve the interactions between law enforcement officers and individuals who have disabilities that may impact their ability to communicate. This proposal will help avoid a situation that could become harmful by providing law enforcement information about a driver who may have a communication disability through Law Enforcement Agencies Data System (LEADS).

 

"My wife and I have dedicated our lives in an effort to work with our son to learn how to interact with the world he lives in," said Miller. "We believe there is a significant opportunity to assist with our partners in the law enforcement community to better identify individuals who may have a communication disability."

 

"As a youth on the Autism spectrum, I know that Connor may have difficulty during a traffic stop answering questions or providing information to an officer. Behaviors that might seem suspicious for many people, like failing to make eye contact or short one-word answers, are typical for my son," he said.

 

A multitude of organizations have already publicly supported HB 115 including the Buckeye State Sheriff’s Association, Ohio Association of Chiefs of Police, Ohio Coalition for the Education of Children with Disabilities, National Alliance on Mental Illness, The Arc of Ohio, and the Ohio Center for Autism and Low Incidence.


Connect To OOD – People with Autism Excel On the Job

 

Connect to OOD on Twitter, Facebook and YouTube to see items like this post about people with autism learning to excel on the job.

 

ood

April is Autism Awareness Month

world autism day

 

April is Autism Awareness Month and this Sunday, April 2nd, is the 9th annual World Autism Awareness Day. Throughout the month, organizations and participants from around the world will come together to raise awareness and increase understanding for Autism. 

 

OOD provides services to individuals who are on the Autism spectrum to assist them in finding and retaining employment. Here’s a message from OOD Director Kevin Miller about employment opportunities for individuals who are on the Autism spectrum https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EsxBI851YSA&feature=youtu.be.


OOD Begins New Communication Approach

 

As we continue to improve outreach and efficiencies in the communication efforts of OOD, we want to keep you informed on the changes to the Weekly Focus e-newsletter and our social media pages. We have increased our presence on social media to interact with businesses, partners, employees and those we serve. Our social media now features the type of items you may have seen in our Weekly Focus e-newsletter. Our Facebook, Twitter and YouTube pages highlight up-to-the-minute items with links and videos. Starting the first week in April the Focus e-newsletter will become a monthly publication and will feature stories of employment successes, job opportunities, statewide partnerships, advocacy and policy efforts, and much more.

 

Connect To OOD by subscribing to our monthly Focus e-newsletter by going to our website and follow us on Twitter, Facebook and YouTube.


Did You Know? There Is a New Version of Google’s ChromeVox Screen Reader

 

Google's Chromebook ChromeVox Screen Reader’s new version makes the Braille display keyboard easier to navigate through Chrome, rather than switching back and forth to the Chromebook keyboard. For more information, visit https://blog.google/products/chromebooks/new-improved-chromevox-screen-reader/.


OOD By the Numbers

 

Vocational Rehabilitation

 

                                                                 Current                     FFY2017

Individuals in Job Ready Status:           3,254                        3,568

For county level information

& map, visit our website.

 

Individuals Employed:                            2,062                        2,941

Employed, not yet

successfully closed

 

Successful Closures:                                                               3,131   

Employed for over 90 days,

case closed successfully

 

                                         Disability Determination

                                (FFY 2017 as of 3/24/2017 – Week 25)

 

Applications Received:                                                          84,809  

 

Determinations:                                                                      90,944

                                                                       

Productivity Per Work Year (PPWY)                                       358.0

Total number of cases processed divided

by the number of work years funded 


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