 Matthew Burger, a student at Franklin University demonstrates the BlindSquare technology for Governor Mike DeWine. Back row from left to right: Sarah Kelly, OOD Program Manager, Services for the Visually Impaired; OOD Director Kevin Miller; Dr. David Decker, President of Franklin University; and Randy Gardner, Chancellor of the Ohio Department of Higher Education.
In case you missed it: Opportunities for Ohioans with Disabilities (OOD) and Franklin University announced last week that Franklin University is the first 4-year university in the nation to offer an innovative navigation support system for students who are blind or have low vision.
Students can now navigate by smart phone technology through the free BlindSquare Event app utilizing Bluetooth technology and GPS beacons at key locations on campus. The BlindSquare beacons interact with the app to guide users by supportive audio instructions around the campus (inside and outside of buildings) and to adjacent public transit.
Check out a video about the partnership or a media release for more information.
 Quinten Vandemark at his new job at S.I. Distributing in Spencerville.
Quinten Vandemark of Spencerville, Ohio reached an important landmark last week: he got a job! “Everyone at the Auglaize County Board of Developmental Disabilities was excited,” said OOD Vocational Rehabilitation Counselor Shelley Burkhart. “It is always a great day when one of our job seekers reaches a goal!”
Burkhart began assisting Vandemark in November of 2017. “Quinten had been working hard on job development skills and expressed the desire to move beyond his workshop position to production work. Since he utilizes a scooter, there were safety challenges that had to be considered and addressed,” she said.
Vandemark interviewed with Whitney Sandblasting for a position, but interviewers were concerned the scooter posed safety concerns. Mike Whitney, the company’s owner, really liked Quinten and his desire to work, so Whitney brokered a meeting with a friend over at S.I. Distributing, Inc.
Bill Dellinger, a Job Developer with Capabilities, was there to help. Dellinger talked to S.I. Distributing about Vandemark and set up an interview and job shadowing opportunity for Vandemark. The job shadow allowed the employer to see how Vandemark would do in the work environment. “Quinten did very well, especially once he got the hang of everything,” said Dellinger.
Vandemark’s job is handling and packaging bolts, screws and tractor parts for shipment for S.I. Distributing. “S.I. Distributing has done a great job making accommodations for Vandemark, which included an elevated scooper to dump parts into bags to make the work more accessible for him,” said Dellinger. The company also provided a chart for referencing the correct organization of parts. “They've been very open to ideas regarding adjustments that will make Vandemark’s job successful,” he added.
In addition, S.I. Distributing rearranged furniture in the break room so that Vandemark could navigate and socialize with coworkers during lunch break. “Everyone has been very warm and inviting toward Quinten,” said Dellinger. “He has found a very good fit!”
When Quinten was asked how he felt when offered the job, he said, “It felt pretty good. I didn't quit smiling until the next day. I’m not sure what I’m going to do with my first paycheck, but I’m pretty excited about it,” he added.
 The Vocational Rehabilitation (VR) program at OOD provides individuals with disabilities, as young as 14, with the services and supports they need to get and maintain employment. Services are available for students with disabilities who would like to explore postsecondary and employment options, set goals, and map a course to get there.
OOD is serving more young people thanks in large part to the Ohio Transition Support Partnership (OTSP) that began in 2015. OTSP is a statewide collaboration between OOD and the Ohio Department of Education that focuses on improving post-high school outcomes for students with disabilities by connecting them with OOD counseling staff beginning at age 14. This early engagement helps students with disabilities get a head start on becoming job-ready so they have the necessary skills to enter the workforce or post-secondary education upon graduation. The partnership dedicates 51 OOD counselors who partner with local education agencies to serve students throughout the state.
Governor Mike DeWine’s proposed budget for OOD will expand OTSP so that more students with disabilities can prepare for their future through work experiences, job placement and on-the-job supports. The budget will also expand access to services to prepare students at the Ohio State School for the Blind and Ohio School for the Deaf for the transition to college or employment after graduation. New services will be made available through an embedded vocational rehabilitation counselor at each school to provide students vocational counseling, training and job placement assistance. A fact sheet about the proposed budget is available on the OOD website.
Help us reach more young people with disabilities! Share a video about VR and recommend www.oodworks.com to help someone get connected with OOD.
 All children, ages 1 through 18, are eligible to receive free meals during the summer months at participating program sites throughout Ohio. Individuals ages 19 through 21 who have been identified as having mental or physical disabilities and are following Individualized Education Programs (IEPs) through their current enrollment in educational programs also are eligible for free summer meals.
Participation is simple and no sign up is required. To learn about meal times and site locations, call 866-3-HUNGRY (1-866-348-6479) or visit www.education.ohio.gov/KidsEat.
 Pictured left to right: Kapila Rodrigo, Julie Hance and Stephanie Andrian at OCEA Conference in Sandusky.
OOD staff Julie Hance, Stephanie Andrian and Kapila Rodrigo served as keynote presenters at the Ohio Cooperative Education Association (OCEA) Statewide Conference last month in Sandusky, Ohio.
OCEA is a nonprofit professional association for employers, educators, and those interested in cooperative education and internships in the state of Ohio.
The conference was an opportunity for attendees to share best practices, network, and gain valuable knowledge from state legislators on upcoming initiatives. More than 100 professionals working in the areas of career services or internship/cooperative placement at universities and colleges throughout Ohio attended.
The presentation by OOD staff emphasized how OOD is available to assist college students with disabilities. Staff shared ideas for working with employers and OOD to arrange internships and co-op placements. Employers were encouraged to use OOD as a resource for no-cost services such as sourcing diverse workers, customizable disability awareness training, information about accommodations, employer tax incentives, and other resources.
Staff also shared that 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 helps individuals with disabilities achieve employment and independence. OOD partners with more than 350 providers across the state to serve individual with disabilities who qualify for vocational rehabilitation services. The vocational rehabilitation (VR) fee schedule, which establishes standardized service definitions and requirements as well as rates for payment for services, is designed to ensure the consistent delivery of quality services to individuals with disabilities statewide.
Since last fall, OOD and service providers have worked together to identify changes to the VR fee schedule that will support providers to deliver the highest quality of service. This collaborative process has resulted in significant feedback from providers that has been incorporated into the proposed fee schedule. The proposed changes include an across-the-board increase in rates of 6.5 percent except for job development services, which will be increased by 8 percent. Several additional enhancements are proposed such as changes in the calculation of group rates for summer youth services and new placement fees for individuals who get jobs while participating in other VR services such as Community Based Assessments or Work Adjustment. These proposed changes will assist providers to recruit and retain qualified staff needed to deliver quality vocational rehabilitation services to individuals with disabilities.
“Providers have shared their needs with us, and we have listened,” said Susan Pugh, Deputy Director of the Bureau of Vocational Rehabilitation. “Through our discussions and working collaboratively, we were able to identify and prioritize the changes to the fee schedule that will have the greatest impact on outcomes for those we serve.”
Last Friday, OOD submitted the proposed changes to the fee schedule to Ohio’s Common Sense Initiative (CSI) for their review. Once CSI completes its review, the proposed changes will then go to the Joint Committee for Administrative Rule Review (JCARR). After the JCARR process and approval, the new fee schedule will be implemented, which is slated for fall 2019.
To learn more, visit https://www.ood.ohio.gov/Information/Proposed-Rule-Changes.
 July 26th will mark the 29th anniversary of President George H.W. Bush signing into law the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) to ensure the civil rights of people with disabilities. Visit www.adaanniversary.org to find ideas, resources, trainings, and videos for celebrating the ADA anniversary in workplaces, schools and communities.
Ohio Program Helps the Blind to Become Entrepreneurs
News-Herald, 6-3-19
Why People Hide Their Disabilities at Work
Harvard Business Review, 6-3-19
Free Braille and Talking Book Program for Veterans
U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, 6-3-19
Avon Lake Man Receives Outstanding Senior Award
The Morning Journal, 6-4-19
I’m a Disabled Teenager, and Social Media Is My Lifeline
New York Times, 6-5-19
Higher Ed Highlights (Video): Episode 100 - A Vision for the Visually Impaired
Ohio Department of Higher Education, 6-6-19
Letter from Director Kevin Miller: Employment vital to development
Columbus Dispatch, 6-7-19
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