Justice Jones Gains Independence Through Work

Opportunities for Ohioans with Disabilities sent this bulletin at 02/21/2020 10:01 AM EST

Having trouble viewing this email? View it as a Web page.

Justice Jones Gains Independence Through Work

Young man standing in front of a shrink wrap machine

Justice Jones at his workstation at Checker Distributors in Maumee, Ohio.

Justice Jones first came to Opportunities for Ohioans with Disabilities (OOD) in 2013 as a Summer Youth Work Experience participant. OOD assisted Justice in finding part-time employment at a restaurant in the fall of 2014, and he held the position for nearly five years.

Justice returned to OOD in July 2019 with a desire to transition from working part-time and receiving Social Security Disability benefits to full-time employment with company-provided benefits. He also wanted to try something different from food service. Megan Naves, OOD Vocational Rehabilitation Counselor, helped Justice, who has autism, pursue his goal.

Megan connected Justice to Karen Mollenkopf, Job Developer with Harbor Career Connections for interview support. “I went with Justice to his interview at Checker Distributors,” said Karen. “Justice is polite and well-spoken, but he is very quiet. I helped him in the interview by getting him started and facilitating the interviewer’s questions.”

Justice got the job at Checker Distributors and began working with Chip Towns, Job Coach at Harbor Career Connections, to learn his position. His job includes putting different sizes of mats through a heat press, into plastic sleeves, and then into boxes for distribution. Justice is known as a quick worker and someone who is quick to assist other areas.

“Justice is a good kid and works very hard. He’s always punctual and never misses work. He does his job very well and is extremely detail-oriented,” said Jim Steedman, Supervisor for Checker Distributors.

Megan said, “It is rewarding to know that Justice has more independence.”

“I am very pleased with how it all turned out,” said Sheri, Justice’s grandmother. “Ever since he was small, I’ve always tried to build a sense of independence in him. He is working in a job he loves and has health insurance and a retirement account.”

Justice reports that he enjoys his new job. He works during the week and now has time to participate in Special Olympics swimming on weekends.

If you have a disability and would like to work, visit www.OODWorks.com or call 800-282-4536 to get started.

Victoria Warnick Finds the Right Job

Young woman in university kitchen holding a plate

Victoria Warnick at Parkhurst Dining Services on the Heidelberg University campus.

Victoria was working for Seneca Re-Ad Industries in Fostoria when she decided she wanted a new job. She was hesitant about transitioning from an extended employment setting to a job in the community because she did not know what she could do.

Olivia Cleveland, Service and Support Administrator with the Seneca County Board of Developmental Disabilities, referred Victoria to OOD. Victoria expressed she did not want to lose her Social Security benefits. Sherisa Johnson, OOD Work Incentives Consultant, completed work incentives planning services with Victoria to help her understand what the impact of working would be on her benefits. With this information, Audrey Mueller, OOD Sr. Vocational Rehabilitation Counselor for Employment First, provided Victoria with a community-based assessment at St. Francis Nursing Home in two areas: dietary and laundry.

After successfully completing both assessments, Victoria and her team discussed work locations and transportation. She had a dietary job in Tiffin but felt it was not the right fit for her. They agreed Victoria would benefit from a change in direction.

Victoria connected with Carol Iannantuono, Job Coach with the Seneca County Opportunity Center. Through this partnership, Victoria was hired at Parkhurst Dining Services located on the Heidelberg University campus. Carol provided job coaching to assist Victoria with job tasks and staff interactions.

Victoria was excited when they offered her the job. “I love my job, the people I work with, and my pay,” said Victoria.

“Victoria glows when she talks about her job,” said Audrey.

With a new job, Victoria’s confidence has grown. She bought new clothes with her first paycheck, and she is saving money to buy a necklace.

Emily Focuses on Career Development

Emily is majoring in graphic design at Stark State College and is working with an Ohio College2Careers Counselor to set career goals. “I’ve always been a very artistic person as a kid, and why not go into a career that has something to do with art.” Watch a video to learn more.

All About Accessibility: Free Disability Symbols

Black and white graphic displaying disability graphic images

The Graphic Artists Guild Foundation offers free, downloadable disability access symbols, available in several formats. These symbols can be used to promote accessibility in advertisements, newsletters, conference and program brochures, membership forms, building signage, floor plans, and maps. The foundation advises users: “Any copy accompanying the symbols should focus on the accommodation or service, not on who uses it.” Visit https://graphicartistsguild.org/downloadable-disability-access-symbols/ to download disability symbols.

In the News

Black River High School Students have Opportunity to Learn Job and Life Skills

Akron Beacon Journal, 2-18-20

Discovering Digital Pathways to Disability Culture

Forbes, 2-18-20

1,500 Special Olympians will Compete in BG this Weekend

Sentinel-Tribune, 2-18-20

Gym Open in Morristown for People of All Ages, Abilities and Disabilities

WTOV, 2-17-20

A Passion for Business Proves Stronger than Disability

The Ohio State University Fisher College of Business News, 2-17-20

Disability Law Aims for Safer Law Enforcement Interactions

Columbus Dispatch, 2-14-20

Opportunities for Ohioans with Disabilities

Questions?
Contact Us

Want a job? Have a disability?
OODWorks.com

Subscriber Services:
Manage Preferences | Unsubscribe | Help

Stay Connected:

Help us support more individuals with disabilities by forwarding to someone you know.

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.