If you enjoy the OOD Works e-Newsletter, then be sure to check out OOD Works, the podcast! Subscribe now wherever you listen to podcasts by searching "OOD Works." Transcripts and MP3 files are available at https://ood.ohio.gov/Podcast.
In episode one, OOD Director Kevin Miller breaks down Ohio Governor Mike DeWine’s fiscal years 2020-2021 budget for OOD. He reveals new patterns of service for individuals with disabilities and shares what drives his passion for this work.
 OOD Director Kevin Miller breaks down the budget in the first podcast episode.
Signed into law in July 2019, the new budget supports OOD in empowering Ohioans with disabilities through employment, disability determinations, and independence. Demonstrating a strong commitment to investing in Ohioans with disabilities to ensure that they are not left behind, the budget represents a state investment of $17.4 million in General Revenue Funds in the first year and $18.9 million in the second year (an eight percent increase each year) of the biennium.
Listen to episode one to hear Director Miller describe what this means for individuals with disabilities.
New to podcasts? Check out the beginner’s guide by the New York Times.
 Kevin Miller, Director of Opportunities for Ohioans with Disabilities; Shawn Henry, Executive Director of OCALI; and Jeff Davis, Director of the Ohio Department of Developmental Disabilities, stop for a picture during the Ohio State Fair’s sensory-friendly morning.
Thank you to everyone who stopped by our wheelchair/mobility charging stations, used Aira technology, enjoyed the sensory-friendly morning, and/or helped spread the word about the most accessible Ohio State Fair ever! Plans are already underway to expand efforts for next year.
In case you missed it: NBC4 Columbus published a story about prioritizing accessibility at the Ohio State Fair. 10TV Columbus featured a story about the Aira app. NBC4 Columbus and 10TV Columbus ran stories about the sensory-friendly morning.
 Robert Hall working at Arby’s with a smile on his face.
Robert Hall lives with Sheila Morrison, his aunt, in Marion, Ohio. “I took custody of him because I believed in him and his ability to be successful. Anytime we took him somewhere, he was always able to follow instructions and do whatever was asked of him,” said Morrison.
One day, Hall shared with his aunt that he wanted to work in the community. Morrison contacted Mandy Javens, Hall’s Service and Support Administrator through the Marion County Board of Developmental Disabilities (Marion DD), to discuss what might be possible. When Mandy learned that Robert was interested in employment, she referred him to OOD.
Audrey Mueller, Vocational Rehabilitation Counselor, helped Hall complete a community-based assessment to determine what job tasks he might be suited for and his interests. Following the assessment, Hall began a work adjustment training at Rural King through the employment services provided by Marion DD. After a few weeks, he gained skills that would transfer into a permanent job. After work adjustment training, Hall and his aunt selected to work with Marca Industries, Inc. Valerie Rinehart, job developer, helped Hall find a job at Arby’s. Nikki Hall, job coach, helped Hall learn the job tasks and build a routine for success.
“Robert is very self-motivated and will move from task to task without prompting,” said Rinehart. “Once he learned his job, we never had to go back to retrain him on anything! Arby’s is so pleased with his progress,” she added.
Hall’s job at Arby’s includes greeting guests as they come in the restaurant, cleaning tables and the beverage station, and stacking products.
"Since day one, Robert has brought a huge amount of positivity into our store. Whenever a new task is asked of him, he always does it with a smile. Even though sometimes they are tasks he is not very fond of, he still works his hardest to get them done,” said Mickala Jacobs, manager at Arby’s. “It is so nice to see him with a smile on his face from the time he clocks in until the time he clocks out. It just reminds us to do the same. He has had his challenges and sometimes needs a little push, but he always does a great job. Everyone here loves having him as part of our team,” she added.
Mueller explained: “Robert likes to meet new people and try new things. He has gained confidence with every new success he has managed. When he is not working, Robert continues to attend Marca Industries’ day program to continue building his social skills. I recently ran into him there, and he was proudly wearing his Arby’s apron and sporting his nametag! We are all so proud of how far he has come.”
When asked about his job, Hall said, “Arby’s is beautiful to me!” He shared that he has used the earnings from his paycheck to purchase clothing and movies. He is also saving to buy new furniture for his bedroom.
Congratulations to Robert and his team!
 Raul Hernandez at his home.
Raul Hernandez is legally blind and attends dialysis three times a week. With the support of his wife, Michelle, Raul wants to be active and independent while she is at work. With support from OOD, Raul participates in low vision services to help him with independent reading needs by using video magnification and glare control. He is also learning how to use the seeing AI app on his iPhone to assist with reading mail. His activities of daily living include telling time, safely taking dishes out of the oven, pouring liquids, and handwritten communication. His talking watch helps him keep track of the days of the week as well as the time. His orientation and mobility training is continuing through the summer. He enjoys walking his dog and looks forward to the end goal of being able to walk to the dialysis clinic.
OOD’s Independent Living Older Blind Team assists Ohioans with meeting their specific needs through providing independent living services to older individuals who are blind. For more information, visit https://ood.ohio.gov/Programs-Partners/Programs/Independent-Living-for-the-Older-Blind.
 Rhonda Tanner, Deputy Director of the Division of Disability Determination, pictured with award recipients and their area managers: Kim Price, Kim Bavis, Melissa Leeper, Khalilah Breathett, Whitnie Green, Adam Myers, and Heather Graham.
The Division of Disability Determination (DDD), in agreement with the Social Security Administration (SSA), determines medical eligibility for Ohioans who apply for Social Security disability benefits (Social Security Disability Insurance and Supplemental Security Income).
The SSA recently awarded Associate Commissioner’s Individuals Citations for both 2018 and 2019, honoring employees who have contributed significantly in providing quality services to the American public. Kim Bavis and Melissa Leeper received the 2018 Associate Commissioner’s Individual Citations. Khalilah Breathett, Whitnie Green, and Adam Myers received the 2019 Associate Commissioner’s Individual Citations.
Rhonda Tanner, Deputy Director of DDD, said, “It’s not a surprise that the SSA would recognize these staff. They are top-notch employees of OOD. Congratulations!”
 To celebrate the anniversary of the signing of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), Google Nest is partnering with the Christopher & Dana Reeve Foundation to provide up to 100,000 free Google Home Minis to individuals affected by paralysis. The goal is to help individuals receive hands-free help around the house, anytime, with the Google Home Mini. To learn more and determine eligibility, visit https://googlenest.reevefoundation.org/.
 The ReelAbilities Film Festival is the largest festival in the U.S. dedicated to promoting awareness and appreciation of the lives, stories, and artistic expressions of people with different disabilities. Initiated in New York in 2007, the festival presents award-winning films by and about people with disabilities in multiple locations throughout each hosting city. Post-screening discussions and other engaging programs bring together the community to explore, discuss, embrace, and celebrate the diversity of our shared human experience.
The festival will be hosted in Ohio on select dates in August through October by the Akron-Summit County Public Library, Lakewood Public Library, Cuyahoga County Library Parma-Snow Branch, Museum of Contemporary Art in Cleveland, and Youth Challenge Westlake. For more information, visit https://reelabilities.org/cleveland/, email cle.reelabilities@gmail.com, or call 330-576-5502.
Ohio APSE (Association of People Supporting Employment First) will be offering “Building Job Development Performance” training on select dates in September and October. The training covers an overview of job development, best practices from experts in the field, and real life examples of how to help people. More information is available on Eventbrite and Facebook.
Apple devices offer a variety of built-in accessibility features. The brand’s products have vision, hearing, mobility, and learning features designed to empower users. Watch a video to learn more or read a transcript on Apple’s accessibility page.
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