In episode 4 of OOD Works - the Podcast, Dr. Carolyn Peters, chair of the OOD Council, and Dr. jw Smith, vice chair, discuss their personal journeys, talk about their involvement with OOD, and reflect on overcoming challenges.
“At first I was depressed about losing my vision. Then I was in denial,” Dr. Peters said. “I went through all those stages and finally realized there were some opportunities.”
Dr. Smith challenges listeners: “What are you going to do with the opportunities you have? What are you going to do with the challenges you’ve been presented? That’s what it really comes down to.”
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.
In case you missed it: WEWS News 5 Cleveland featured OOD’s successful partnership with Giant Eagle that connects people with disabilities with meaningful employment. The video features Brevin Edwards, a 21-year-old and one of the many individuals who have benefitted from the collaboration. OOD partners with providers across the state to place individuals with disabilities in jobs at Giant Eagle.
The Ohio Department of Education and the Outreach Center for Deafness and Blindness at the Ohio Center for Autism and Low Incidence (OCALI) partnered to create a free, self-paced video module called Promoting Access for People Who are Deaf, Hard of Hearing, Blind, or Visually Impaired.
This free training offers basic strategies to help individuals strengthen connections with people who are deaf, hard of hearing, blind, or visually impaired at home, at school, and in the community.
 This week Lt. Governor Jon Husted announced the launch of TechCred, a program that connects businesses with the talent they need and gives employees the ability to earn industry-recognized, technology-focused credentials, better preparing them for a job in today’s advanced, technology-infused economy.
Through TechCred, businesses can identify the specific qualifications they need and employees they want to upskill toward a more advanced position. In partnership with a training provider, the employer can apply online at TechCred.Ohio.Gov. The state will reimburse up to $2,000 of training upon completion of a credential.
An initial list of eligible credentials is provided, but employers can request a credential be added to the eligible list by submitting an application for TechCred to be reviewed by a panel of stakeholders.
The online application period opens October 1, 2019. TechCred is a competitive, merit-based program.
TechCred fulfills a commitment made by Governor Mike DeWine and Lt. Governor Husted to fund the completion of 10,000 microdegrees each year in order to aid in closing the skills gap for growing technology jobs.
 A’ja Hammonds at a recent job fair event in Lima, Ohio.
Meet A’ja Hammonds from Lima, Ohio. A’ja is hard of hearing. She had difficulty communicating until Amber Tickle, OOD vocational rehabilitation counselor, helped her to obtain hearing aids and a specialized phone. Hammonds was now ready for OOD to support her in finding a job.
Several weeks ago, Hammonds took part in OOD’s Lima hiring event where eight employers were on hand for interviews and introductions for candidates.
At the event, Hammonds expressed interest in a position where she can help others. She was excited to interview with a healthcare company that day.
“A’ja is caring and has many skills,” said Tickle. “She is ready to go to work, and we are working alongside her to find the right opportunities.”
“Hearing aids and other accommodations have been life changing for me,” said Hammonds. “I wanted to get back to the workforce and put my skills to use. Getting a job allows me to give back to my community and provide for my seven-year-old son.”
Recently Hammonds accepted a position with Champaign Residential Services, Inc. She is working part-time as a direct support professional, assisting individuals with disabilities with transportation and daily living tasks.
If you have a disability and want to go to work, visit OODWorks.com to get started on your path to employment.
 September is Healthy Aging Month! Needing glasses to see up close, having trouble adjusting to glare, and having difficulty distinguishing between colors are common vision changes as people age. For some, this can include more significant vision loss and even blindness that can affect one’s ability to complete activities of daily living, such as cooking or reading.
OOD’s Independent Living for Older Blind (ILOB) Ohioans program helps citizens overcome this challenge and maintain their independence. Learn more at https://ood.ohio.gov/Programs-Partners/Programs/Independent-Living-for-the-Older-Blind.
 David Green at his home in Cleveland, Ohio.
David Green is a 63-year-old man in Cleveland, Ohio. He retired early from a career as a chef and caterer when he noticed his vision had diminished significantly. Green had difficulty distinguishing between different spices and washing food from dishes. He could no longer see to do what he loves to do – cooking. Green met with two doctors about his vision loss. He was diagnosed with optic atrophy, a condition that affects the optic nerve which carries impulses from the eye to the brain. The doctors suggested surgery but there was a chance his sight would never recover, so he decided against it. Instead, Green turned to the Cleveland Sight Center who referred him to the OOD Independent Living Older Blind (ILOB) program. The ILOB provides services to Ohioans 55 and older with blindness or low vision to allow them to maintain their independence in their homes and communities.
After meeting with Katy McKiernan, an OOD ILOB counselor, Green’s goal was to continue cooking. However, he lacked confidence and the necessary tools to be safe in the kitchen. In addition to cooking, he wanted to read his mail, tell time, and walk to his neighborhood grocery store.
After successful completion of independent living skills training, activities of daily living, and orientation and mobility services, cooking is much easier for Green. He learned how to properly and safely use a gas stove, chop vegetables, pour liquids, tell time with a talking watch, and independently keep track of his finances with magnification and writing aids. His greatest accomplishment was learning how to use a white cane to cross a busy street to get to the grocery store. He is also actively involved in the neighborhood senior center.
“I am incredibly proud of David for conquering his fears, becoming active, and continuing to do what he loves to do. Cooking is his passion, and I love to see people pursue their passions,” said McKiernan.
Green encourages older individuals who are struggling with vision loss to apply for OOD services. He said, “If folks don’t live in Cleveland, or even if they do, they need to be a part of the OOD ILOB program and the Cleveland Sight Center because they saved me.”
For more information about the OOD ILOB program, visit https://ood.ohio.gov/Programs-Partners/Programs/Independent-Living-for-the-Older-Blind.
 Staff with the Division of Disability Determination take part in the September 23 walk.
OOD Director Kevin Miller and Assistant Director Erik Williamson led a large group of OOD employees around the perimeters of 150 and 400 E. Campus View Blvd. in recognition of National Falls Prevention Awareness Day, on Monday, September 23, 2019. Employees from OOD’s Central Office and Division of Disability Determination participated in the walk. In addition, employees from OOD’s Lakewood, Whitehall, Newark, and Zanesville offices participated at their locations.
Promoted by the Ohio Department of Aging, the walk is an effort to raise awareness and prevent older adult falls by promoting regular physical activity, healthy habits, change to one’s home environment, and conversations with healthcare providers as ways to significantly reduce the risk.
This year’s event is the fifth annual “10 Million Steps to Prevent Falls,” which calls on communities and individuals to walk a mile to raise awareness. The campaign, sponsored by the Ohio Department of Aging’s STEADY U Ohio falls prevention initiative, recruits community partners to organize and host walking groups and events. The statewide goal is to have at least 4,000 people walk a mile each in the name of falls prevention.
Visit www.aging.ohio.gov/steadyu/10MillionSteps for a complete list of walking events and groups throughout the month. If you don’t see an event near your community, consider organizing your own and registering to add it to the list. The Department of Aging will announce the results of “10 Million Steps to Prevent Falls” in early October.
For older adult falls prevention tips and resources, visit www.steadyu.ohio.gov.
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