NEWS RELEASE: State Employees to Receive Disability Etiquette and Awareness Training

Opportunities for Ohioans with Disabilities sent this bulletin at 10/07/2019 10:00 AM EDT

Media Contact text Kim Jump with OOD 614 466 8783 and Melissa Vince with DAS 614 644 8608

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: October 7, 2019

State Employees to Receive Disability Etiquette and Awareness Training

Training Helps Employees Become Aware of Respectful Etiquette for Interacting with People with Disabilities

COLUMBUS, OH – Opportunities for Ohioans with Disabilities (OOD) and the Ohio Department of Administrative Services (DAS) announced today the launch of a training for all state employees: Disability Etiquette and Awareness. The training is an effort unprecedented in state history that ultimately supports inclusion of people with disabilities in the workplace

The e-learning training module features interviews with several Ohioans who discuss their disabilities and offers practical examples for interaction and communication. Disability Etiquette and Awareness helps participants become aware of respectful etiquette and proper language usage related to interactions with people with different types of disabilities.

“This is an important step toward greater inclusion,” said Ohio Governor Mike DeWine. “Improving the workplace for employees with disabilities isn’t just the right thing to do - it’s a matter of attracting and sustaining a talented workforce.”

The training effort is an extension of Governor Mike DeWine’s Executive Order 2019-03D, signed on January 14, 2019, establishing Ohio as a disability inclusion state and model employer of individuals with disabilities. In May, LeadOhio, the statewide management training curriculum, was enhanced to include presentations on disability in the workplace. The expectation for inclusion was also furthered as OOD staff assisted DAS in the creation and selection of the State Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) Coordinator in May, following a nationwide search.

"This is about promoting inclusive workplace cultures," said Kevin Miller, Director of OOD. "Inclusion means that all people, regardless of their differences, are welcomed, respected, included, and valued. Understanding perspectives from those with the lived experience of a disability is an effective way to increase awareness and learn practical tips.”

“With more than 50,000 employees, the State of Ohio is one of the largest employers in the state,” said DAS Director Matt Damschroder. “Our goal is to be a model employer for inclusion, and to be a leader in achieving Governor DeWine’s vision of Ohio becoming a disability inclusion state.”

For more information on no-cost disability etiquette and awareness training for businesses, visit https://ood.ohio.gov/Employers/Windmills, or contact Stephanie Andrian at 614-438-1233 or Stephanie.Andrian@ood.ohio.gov.

OOD is the state agency responsible for empowering Ohioans with disabilities through employment, disability determinations, and independence. www.OOD.Ohio.Gov

DAS is the hub of State government, working behind the scenes to deliver innovative services and solutions that support the operation of state agencies, boards, and commissions.

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Programs provided by Opportunities for Ohioans with Disabilities (OOD) 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) 2019, OOD received $99,548,657 in federal funds. Funds appropriated by the State covered 21.3 % of the total costs, or $26,942,648. Of these federal funds, $14,932,299 is set aside for Pre-ETS. For purposes of the Supported Employment (SE) Program, the DOE SE grant funded 90% of the costs for the Supported Employment for Youth with a Disability Program up to the grant amount and 100% of the costs of regular Supported Employment program costs up to the grant amount. In FFY 2019, OOD received $297,857 for SE Youth with a Disability and State appropriated funds paid a small amount more than the remaining 10% or $33,192 of the total costs. In FFY 2019, OOD received $297,857 in regular SE grant funds. For purposes of the Independent Living Services for Older Individuals Who are Blind (OIB) Program, the federal grant received from DOE in FFY 2019 paid 90% of the total costs incurred under the program. In FFY 2019, OOD received $1,153,208 in federal grant funds. Funds appropriated by the State paid over the 10% required match or $130,000 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 2019. In FFY 2019, OOD received funding of $640,571. Funds appropriated by the State paid 10% or $71,175 of the total costs incurred under the IL Program.