OOD Works: In-Demand Jobs Week Wrap-Up; Dayton Event Connects Job Seekers with Inclusive Employers; Lincoln Electric Inspires Job Seekers; Employers Step Up During In-Demand Jobs Week; Staff and Partners Recognized for Excellence; Budget Invests in College Students with Disabilities; Vending Operations Thrive at Youngstown State University; Global Accessibility Awareness Day; InnovateOhio

Opportunities for Ohioans with Disabilities sent this bulletin at 05/17/2019 09:23 AM EDT

In-Demand Job Week Wrap-Up

Cleveland Healthcare Employer Panel Meeting - Participants Seated

In-Demand Jobs Week took place May 6-10, 2019. Opportunities for Ohioans with Disabilities (OOD) hosted events throughout Ohio to connect 60+ businesses with Ohioans with disabilities to fill in-demand jobs. Watch a video to learn more about the weeklong celebration of jobs, industries and skills that are in-demand in Ohio.

Dayton Event Connects Job Seekers with Inclusive Employers

Renaissance seated and explaining benefits of job fair

Renaissance Craver, a junior majoring in social work at Wright State University, was one of nearly 200 job seekers who participated in the OOD Job Fair at Wright State University during In-Demand Jobs Week. Watch a video to learn more about the event.

Lincoln Electric Inspires Job Seekers

Collage of 4 pictures of Lincoln Electric - individuals try out welding

The Lincoln Electric Welding Technology and Training Center hosted an In-Demand Jobs Week Event offered exclusively for individuals with disabilities. OOD Director Kevin Miller, State Senator Nickie Antonio (23rd District) and Geoff Lipnevicius with Lincoln Electric greeted participants before they experimented with welding.

On May 10, OOD Director Kevin Miller and State Senator Nickie Antonio (23^rd District) provided opening comments to individuals with disabilities who were part of the exclusive In-Demand Jobs Week event at Lincoln Electric in Euclid, Ohio. Geoff Lipnevicius provided an overview of the business, described current open positions, and answered employment questions. Participants then toured the 130,000-square-foot, state-of-the art facility that is dedicated to training educators, industry leaders, and skilled trade workers in the craft and science of welding. During the virtual reality welding training simulation, participants learned about quality welding skills and the importance of body positioning. Before the event wrapped up, participants gained hands-on experience by welding metal pieces together to create a bird.

Several of the participants at the event are applying for open positions at Lincoln Electric. Eighteen year-old Christian Kennedy will graduate from high school in May. Since he likes working with his hands, he is applying for a job with Lincoln Electric because of the vast opportunities. Another participant, Michael Begin, is currently working as a cashier but has experience as a machinist and welder. He is applying at Lincoln Electric for the job fit and earnings potential. Good luck to all!

Employers Step Up During In-Demand Jobs Week

Collage of employers at tables at events

More than sixty employers participated in events, offered exclusively for individuals with disabilities, during In-Demand Jobs Week! Thank you to the following inclusive employers:

Careers in Hospitality Event in Columbus: Bob Evans, Columbus Blue Jackets, Greater Columbus Convention Center, Levy Restaurants and Hollywood Casino.

Apprenticeships Event in Canton: Canton Electrical JATC, Iron Workers Local #550, Bricklayers Local #6 and TimkenSteel.

Healthcare and Manufacturing Event in Fremont: American Fine Sinter, ProMedica, Renhill HR on Demand, Style Crest, Wynn-Reeth, Inc./RSS Security and Trilogy Health.

In-Demand Employer Panel & Networking Event in Ironton: Heartland of Riverview, Vertiv, G&J Pepsi Bottles, Mended Reeds and WesBanco.

Cleveland Healthcare Event: CVS Health, University Hospitals, MetroHealth, Cleveland Clinic, Louis Stokes Cleveland VA Medical Center and Circle Health Services.

Dayton Job Fair: Adecco Staffing, Atalian Global Services, Bob Evans, Cintas, Community Blood Carrier/Community Tissue Services, Crown Equipment, CVS Health, FedEx Ground, Fifth Third Bank, Five Rivers Metro Park, Freddy’s Frozen custard and Steakburgers, Goodwill Easterseals Miami Valley, Graceworks Enhanced Living, Huntington Bank, Key Bank, Komyo Logistics, Kroger, LabCorp, Meijer, Miami University, Miami Valley Gaming, Montgomery County Human Resources, New Horizons Computer Learning Centers of Dayton, NuVasive Manufacturing, Ohio Department of Transportation, Parallel Education, Spectrum, Speedway, Super Subby’s, Synchrony, Total Homecare Solutions, Turner Construction, U.S. Census Bureau, U.S. Social Security Administration, University of Dayton, Wings of Love Services, Wright Patterson Air Force Base, Xavier University Student Veterans Center and Wright State University.

Tour and Welding Simulation in Cleveland: Lincoln Electric.

Staff and Partners Recognized for Excellence

Ohio-shaped collage of OOD staff and partners during In-Demand Jobs Week

Thanks to the efforts of OOD staff, providers and partners, more than 280 job seekers participated in events, offered exclusively for individuals with disabilities, during In-Demand Jobs Week. “OOD staff worked very hard behind the scenes to make these events successful. Staff worked with OOD job seekers to prepare for the events and worked with employers in each area of the state to identify in-demand jobs,” said OOD Director Kevin Miller. “Thank you staff for all of your hard work on behalf of individuals with disabilities. You make a difference every time you match a job seeker with an employer. In-Demand Jobs Week would not have happened without you.”

Budget Invests in College Students with Disabilities

Dr. Green, Director Miller and Ms. Pugh seated and a table and smiling

Dr. John C. Green, President of the University of Akron, OOD Director Kevin Miller and Deputy Director Susan Pugh meet to discuss a new initiative supported by Governor Mike DeWine’s budget.

Governor Mike DeWine’s budget invests in funding for direct services that will ensure students with disabilities working toward a credential or college degree earn higher wages and meet the demands of tomorrow’s labor market. This will be accomplished through an innovative partnership between OOD, Ohio’s state college and university system, and Ohio businesses. A total of 15 vocational rehabilitation counselors will be immersed in the disability services offices in order to assist students with disabilities with wraparound support including job placement, technology and internships. Approximately 1,500 students will be served annually.

OOD Director Kevin Miller testified before the Ohio Senate on May 8, 2019. The full testimony is available on the Ohio Senate website.

Vending Operations Thrive at Youngstown State University

Tom Neal holding open the door of a vending machine

Business Enterprise Operator Tom Neal stocks refreshments in a vending machine at Youngstown State University.

Last spring, Youngstown State University (YSU) approached the OOD Business Enterprise (BE) Program about assuming vending services on campus with the goal of improved vending services and customer satisfaction. OOD staff conducted a full on-site assessment and determined that YSU was a suitable location for a BE Operator. OOD ordered necessary equipment and worked closely with YSU to transition the vending services. This included a conversion to 60 new vending machines occurred just in time for the 2018/2019 school year.

At the helm of this new business is seasoned BE Operator Tom Neal who has been operating the YSU facility since August 2018. “Our partnership has been going very well,” said Neal. “The University has been very happy, and sales have increased -- as well as customer satisfaction and confidence!

Those involved agree that communication has been key in making the endeavor so successful. “The University has been so easy to work with,” said Neal. “YSU communicated with students from the beginning about the change, and we continue to have bi-monthly meetings to discuss issues, sales data, successes, and product trends that meet the needs of YSU’s 14,000 students,” Neal added.

If you are interested in having the BE Program assess your site for potential vending, contact Christy Hauck, BE Program Manager, at 877-898-0013, ext. 1278 or 614-438-1278. If you are interested in becoming a BE Operator, visit the Business Enterprise Program on the OOD website.

Global Accessibility Awareness Day

May 16, 2019 marked the eighth Global Accessibility Awareness Day (GAAD). The purpose of GAAD is to get everyone talking, thinking and learning about digital (web, software, mobile, etc.) access/inclusion and people with different disabilities. Want to learn about creating accessible documents? Check out the Microsoft Office guide on making Word documents accessible to people with disabilities.

Lt. Governor Jon Husted Discusses InnovateOhio Platform

OOD staff pictured standing with Lt. Gov. Husted at the Ohio Statehouse

OOD staff meet with Lt. Governor Jon Husted at the Ohio Statehouse. From left to right: Hayley Carducci, Amadou Diallo, Kristine Brenning, Erik Williamson, Lt. Governor Jon Husted, OOD Director Kevin Miller, Lesley McConnell, Natalie Myers and Derek Chrisman.

In late April 2019, Governor Mike DeWine and Lt. Governor Jon Husted, who also serves as the Director of InnovateOhio, announced the launch of the InnovateOhio Platform, which helps to coordinate and process data and resources across state government. It also streamlines services across state agencies to give Ohioans a better experience when interacting with state government. OOD staff had the chance to talk with the Lt. Governor last week at the Ohio Statehouse, where he highlighted the importance of innovation and technology in state government operations. Director Kevin Miller said, “We look forward to the positive changes the InnovateOhio Platform will bring to the Ohioans with disabilities we serve.”

In the News

KeyBank Earns National Recognition for Diversity

The Business Journal, 5-14-19

Accessibility tech has a lot of unfinished business to get right

Cnet.com, 5-14-19

Autistic student shows artistic talent in drawings

Akron Beacon Journal, 5-13-19

Easterseals Northern Ohio

WKYC, 5-13-19

How to honor injured officers

Policeone.com, 5-13-19

Cleveland native graduates from University of Akron after 23 years, as his six kids look on

Cleveland.com, 5-12-19

Kent State senior blends fashion, function in adaptive evening wear

Record-Courier, 5-10-19

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Programs provided by the Opportunities for Ohioans with Disabilities are funded, in whole or in part, with federal grants awarded by the U.S. Department of Education (DOE) or the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS). For purposes of the Vocational Rehabilitation (VR) Program, including Pre-Employment Transition Services (Pre-ETS), OOD received 78.7% of its funding through the DOE VR grant. In Federal fiscal year (FFY) 2018, OOD received $100,336,097 in federal funds. Funds appropriated by the State covered 21.3 % of the total costs, or $27,155,767. Of these federal funds, $15,050,415 is set aside for Pre-ETS. For purposes of the Supported Employment Program, the DOE VR grant funded 100% of the costs for the Supported Employment for Youth with a Disability Program. In FFY 2018, OOD received $303,725. The grant also funded 95% of the Supported Employment Program (non-Youth). In FFY 2018, OOD received $303,725 and the State appropriated funds paid the remaining 5% or $33,747 of the total costs. For purposes of the Independent Living Services for Older Individuals Who are Blind (OIB) Program, the federal grant received from DOE in FFY 2018 paid 90% of the total costs incurred under the program. In FFY 2018, OOD received $1,174,400 in federal grant funds. Funds appropriated by the State paid 10% or $130,489 of the total costs incurred under the OIB program. For purposes of the Independent Living (IL) Program, the federal grant received from HHS paid 90% of the total costs incurred in FFY 2018. In FFY 2018, OOD received funding of $632,411. Funds appropriated by the State paid 10% or $70,268 of the total costs incurred under the IL Program.