Brianne Riffle and Wes Fisher served as co-chairs of the 2019 Youth Leadership Forum (YLF), a five-day career, leadership, and advocacy training for 11th and 12th grade high school students with disabilities. The program took place from July 14-18 in Columbus. Delegates came from all across Ohio to take part in educational sessions on advocacy and leadership; disability rights; the legislative process; employment with a disability; informational interviewing and speed mentoring; and independent living and technology.
In this episode, Riffle and Fisher talk about their experiences as former delegates, how participation shaped their identities, and why they choose to pay it forward.
Find the episode now wherever you listen to podcasts by searching "OOD Works." Transcripts and MP3 files are available at https://ood.ohio.gov/Podcast.
Students statewide have had the opportunity to explore careers and gain valuable work skills in a variety of local industries through the OOD Summer Youth Work Experience. DJ and Joe’s experience took them to the Great Lakes Science Center with OakLeaf Partners Transition Services. Watch a video to learn more.
If you have a child, 14 years of age or older with a disability, reach out to OOD for more information on how we can help your child with career exploration, skill development, and strategies to get a job after graduation. Vocational rehabilitation counselors begin talking with students and their parents about next summer’s opportunities, beginning in the fall. To find out more, go to https://www.ood.ohio.gov/transition-students.
 Sheilah first connected with OOD services in 1981. In recent years, Sheilah worked at a camp as a volunteer. However, she was ready to move on to a paid position and reconnected with OOD in November 2017.
OOD, along with its network of providers, works with employers to match individuals ready to work with available job openings. Once an individual has been stable in the job for at least 90 days and is satisfied with their employment, OOD services come to a close. If the individual experiences difficulties on the job later, short-term help may be available or the individual can reapply for services.
Beth Knack, vocational rehabilitation counselor, began working with Sheilah. “She is a great advocate for herself,” Beth said. “Sheilah is able to speak her mind regarding what she wants.”
At that time, Sheilah described that she was bored watching television and acknowledged that she was spending time with the “wrong” type of people.
With the help of the Capabilities Toledo team and a glowing reference from a previous employer, Sheilah was able to secure a job as a dishwasher at Plate One. When she got the news that she received the position, Sheilah said, “I was excited and pleased. I went to church and prayed for everyone!”
Job coaching helped Sheilah understand work tasks. She worked hard to develop a solid routine and work faster. With her first paycheck, Sheilah bought clothing and began saving for a vacation and getting her dog’s teeth cleaned. She said, “I like to keep myself busy. I’m inspired by working women who earn an honest paycheck. Now I am a working woman!”
Sheilah expressed appreciation for everyone who helped her reach this milestone. She loves working at Plate One and reports having a great relationship with her boss, coworkers, and customers. “I want to work here until I’m 85 or 90 years old,” Sheilah said.
 August 21 was National Senior Citizen Day. “Our older Ohioans are living treasures in our families, workplaces, and communities. I have witnessed the experience and wisdom they bring to organizations,” said Kevin Miller, OOD Director. “I have also seen how age can bring diminished mobility, vision loss, and hearing loss. These disabilities can make it difficult to remain in the workforce,” he added.
OOD offers employment assistance in all 88 counties, with no age limit. As long as a person with a disability wants to work, even if they are over the “retirement age” for Social Security, OOD can help. Vocational rehabilitation counselors connect individuals with services and equipment to help them stay on the job or transition to a new job that might be a better fit.
Another program offered by OOD, the Independent Living Older Blind Program, helps eligible individuals 55 and older with vision loss remain independent at home and in their community by teaching independent living skills through services such as orientation and mobility training and providing adaptive aids and equipment, such as magnifiers.
OOD can help someone with a disability, be it physical, intellectual, mental health, or sensory. Visit www.OODWorks.com to get started… because all older Ohioans should be supported in their independence.
 Jeri Weatherholt works from her home office.
Born in Owensboro, Kentucky Jeri Weatherholt is a Southern girl at heart, who grew up in Rockport, Indiana, a small town in Southern Indiana right on the Ohio River. Her parents discovered she had difficulties with her vision in first grade when she couldn’t identify her grandparents who were standing 12 feet in front of her. To help improve her vision, Weatherholt’s eyeglass prescription was renewed several times, but her vision continued to deteriorate over the years. Weatherholt was able to walk around by herself and even ride a bike for a time, but when it came time to get a driver’s license, she could not pass the vision test. While growing up, she had several diagnoses, but it wasn’t until she was an adult that a doctor diagnosed her with retinitis pigmentosa. She is now legally blind with only light perception.
Weatherholt became an Ohio resident in 1994 when she and her mother moved to Massillon, Ohio to be closer to family. Weatherholt first sought assistance from OOD in the late 1990s because she wanted to go to work. Her vision had deteriorated to the point that she needed a screen reader. Her vocational rehabilitation counselor at the time, Berna King, who is now a supervisor, helped her secure training and equipment that allowed Weatherholt to go back to work at a medical transcription company that offered work-from-home positions. A few years ago, the company began using Dragon speech recognition software. Weatherholt struggled to complete her work because the Dragon software was not reliable for speech recognition of medical professionals with accents. She elected to leave the position and return to OOD in 2017 for help finding a new job.
OOD connected Weatherholt to Kelly Greaves with Assurance Employment Specialists. Greaves assisted Weatherholt with finding open positions based on her abilities, filling out job applications, and coaching for interviews. Transportation to interviews were provided by SARTA’s Proline Services.
In April 2018, MaritzCX hired Weatherholt as a customer service representative. Cheryl Balough with Assurance Employment Specialists worked with Weatherholt during onboarding with MaritzCX. Weatherholt received a new computer, dual headset, and JAWS screen reader software. A computer programmer, Tiehan Liu, set up key strokes on two screens so Weatherholt could perform her work more quickly. Job coaching helped Weatherholt learn how to use the assistive technology. In November, Weatherholt was recognized as a high performance employee and received an increase in pay.
“I wouldn’t be able to do my job without the JAWS screen reader, the dual headset, or the special key strokes that were set up for me,” said Weatherholt. “I am so grateful for this technology and equipment. I would not be able to afford it on my own,” she added.
“Jeri was so wonderful to work with,” said Christine Strahler, vocational rehabilitation counselor. “From day one Jeri was part of the process and worked with her team about what she needed and where she needed to be. Jeri’s partnership was key to her success.”
Weatherholt described the sense of satisfaction and accomplishment the position has provided her. “It has meant a great deal to me to be able to work. I’m glad that I can listen to people and pass along any positive comments they might have or issues that need to be resolved. I am grateful that I have been given this chance to do something of importance,” she said.
Jeff Toll is an operator in the OOD Business Enterprise Program. He explains how being legally blind has not held him back. Thanks to his involvement in the program, Jeff has a thriving career that has allowed him to be independent and raise a family.
Watch a video to learn more.
 Aira, which stands for Artificial Intelligent Remote Assistance, is a worldwide program that connects people who are blind or have low vision to an agent who can help with navigation.
Aira recently made a special announcement: their service for short calls (5 minutes and less) are now available for free. For more information on Aira, visit their website or call -800-835-1934.
 A STABLE Account is a specialized savings and investment account for people with disabilities that allows money to be saved and invested without losing eligibility for certain public benefits, like Medicaid and Supplemental Security Income (SSI).
Prior to STABLE Accounts, people with disabilities could only save a total of $2,000 dollars before losing their benefits. Now up to $15,000 can be saved each year. If employed, an additional $12,140 dollars may be saved each year.
Money in the STABLE Account can be used to pay for Qualified Disability Expenses. This includes things like: education, housing, transportation, healthcare, assistive technology, and basic living expenses. Earnings on a STABLE Account grow tax-free and are not subject to federal income tax, so long as they are spent on Qualified Disability Expenses.
In April, The Office of the State Treasurer and the Department of Administrative Services announced that eligible State of Ohio employees can directly deposit paycheck earnings into a STABLE Account for themselves or their eligible children. Individuals who develop a disability before the age of 26 may be eligible to open an account.
To enroll and learn about the direct deposit go to www.stableaccount.com.
 Happy Labor Day! The OOD Works e-Newsletter will return on Friday, September 6. Stay tuned!
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Eight Steps to Start or Grow a Diversity and Inclusion Initiative
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The New Faces of Disability: Busting Stereotypes and Bending the World to Fit Their Needs
Forbes, 8-18-19
Student with Dyslexia Finds Help through Music
The News Herald, 8-18-19
If You're an Adult Who's Still Nervous About Talking to People with Disabilities
Yahoo, 8-18-19
The Completely Reasonable Reason People are Flying with Mini Horses
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Working Hard in the Summer
Licking County Board of Developmental Disabilities, 8-15-19
Ohio Opioid Technology Challenge Finalists Vie for Top Prize
TechOhio, 8-15-19
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