OOD Recognizes National Disability Employment Awareness Month with Job Fairs and Employer Awards

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FOR RELEASE:  October 1, 2018

OOD Recognizes National Disability Employment Awareness Month

with Job Fairs and Employer Awards

COLUMBUS, OH - National Disability Employment Awareness Month is a campaign held in October to raise awareness on employment issues for people with disabilities and celebrates the many contributions of America’s workers with disabilities. This year’s theme is America’s Workforce: Empowering All. Opportunities for Ohioans with Disabilities (OOD) is leading the state’s efforts across Ohio to promote the benefits of hiring individuals with disabilities. Specifically, the agency is hosting job fairs that are designed to connect OOD job seekers with employers and recognizing employers who are committed to an inclusive and diverse workforce. Last year, more than 270 individuals with disabilities were hired at these events. This hiring rate is more than twice the industry standard.

“OOD is committed to engaging and educating Ohio businesses on the benefits of recruiting, hiring and retaining individuals with disabilities,” said Executive Director Kevin L. Miller. “We continue to build partnerships with businesses to increase the hiring of individuals with disabilities. Last year, we assisted nearly 6,000 individuals with disabilities to successfully find employment.” For more information, see OOD Director Miller's video.

During October, OOD will host its sixth annual series of job fairs for OOD job seekers and employers that are specifically looking to hire individuals with disabilities. The job fairs, held in Cincinnati, Columbus, Toledo, Canton and Cleveland, will provide individuals with disabilities a unique opportunity to connect one-on-one with employers. This year, more than 175 employers have registered to take part in these events and several hundred individuals with disabilities will be attending the job fairs.

In addition, the annual OOD Employer Partners of Inclusion Awards will recognize and honor businesses that hire individuals with disabilities. To be considered for an Employer Partners of Inclusion Award, businesses must be an employer partner with OOD, have hired at least five OOD job seekers, and must meet specific criteria that demonstrates their level of diversity and inclusion practices for individuals with disabilities in the workplace. Awards will be presented for Champion of Inclusion, Platinum Level, Gold Level and Silver Level. For more information, visit OOD's Employer Partners of Inclusion Awards.

 

OOD is the state agency responsible for assisting individuals with disabilities to gain meaningful employment, to live independently or receive disability benefits through the Social Security Administration. www.ood.ohio.gov. 

Follow OOD: Twitter: @OhioOOD Facebook: @OhioOOD YouTube: @OhioOOD

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