OOD Business Relations Program Named Harvard Innovations in American Government Award Finalist

Opportunities for Ohioans with Disabilities sent this bulletin at 03/06/2020 09:46 AM EST

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Opportunities for Ohioans with Disabilities Business Relations Program Named Harvard Innovations in American Government Award Finalist

Yesterday, the Ash Center for Democratic Governance and Innovation at Harvard University’s John F. Kennedy School of Government announced that the Opportunities for Ohioans with Disabilities Business Relations Program has been named a finalist for its 2020 Harvard Innovations in American Government Award.

For more than 30 years, the Innovations Award has recognized public-sector programs that make American government, at all levels, more efficient, creative, and effective at addressing social problems and providing services to the public. This year the award program, which is devoted to recognizing and promoting excellence and creativity in the public sector across the United States, specifically sought out exemplary models of government innovation addressing and promoting economic opportunity for all.

“Moments after being sworn into office, I made clear my commitment to establishing Ohio as a Disability Inclusion State and Model Employer of Individuals with Disabilities,” said Ohio Governor Mike DeWine. “Working to increase employment opportunities for individuals with disabilities is not only a smart business decision, it also helps ensure that no one is left behind.”

To help increase the number of Ohioans with disabilities in the workplace, Opportunities for Ohioans with Disabilities (OOD)—the state of Ohio’s vocational rehabilitation agency—established a Business Relations Program to work with Employer Partners throughout Ohio to promote and support the hiring of individuals with disabilities. Through OOD's network of Employer Partners, Business Relations Specialists identify job opportunities that match job-seekers' skill sets and experience, and provide services and resources that promote an inclusive and diverse work environment. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reported that in 2019, the proportion of people with disabilities in the workforce was about one-third that of people without disabilities.

Selected by a team of policy experts, researchers, and practitioners, the OOD Business Relations Program was chosen in part for its novelty, effectiveness, significance, and transferability, as well as its impact on issues of economic and social mobility, inequity, and stratification.

Staff with OOD Employer and Innovation Services Seated Around a Conference Table

OOD Division of Employer & Innovation Services staff meet with Colleen Crispino, Chief Program Officer at The Viscardi Center, who conducted a site visit in February on behalf of the Ash Center for Democratic Governance and Innovation.

“OOD has shown that if states are willing to invest in their workforce, they can make dramatic improvements in increasing workforce participating rates across every sector,” said Stephen Goldsmith, the Daniel Paul Professor of Practice in Government at Harvard Kennedy School and the Director of the Innovations in American Government Program at the Ash Center. “The Business Relations Program is truly a national model for increasing economic opportunity for all.”

Text in graphic Goldsmith quote - The Business Relations Program is a national model for increasing economic opportunity for all

“Being a finalist for the 2020 Harvard Innovations in American Government Award validates our innovative approach to vocational rehabilitation to meet the needs of job seekers with disabilities and businesses in the 21st century,” said Kevin Miller, OOD Director.

Ohio College2Careers Helps Abigil Discover Career Paths

Abigil and Betsey at a table with papers

Abigil and Betsey Marks-Linder, Evaluator with Career Assessment Systems, Inc., reviewing a Vocational Evaluation Assessment.

Abigil Cooper is a freshman majoring in English with a minor in Agricultural Communications and Environment, Economy Development, and Sustainability.

Discomfort and pain from sickle cell anemia led to her involvement with the Student Life-Disability Services Support Unit at Central Ohio Technical College/The Ohio State University at Newark. She was connected to Cyndi Mignone, Ohio College2Careers Counselor on campus.

“When I met Cyndi, I learned that due to my disability, there are opportunities available to help me while I’m in college,” said Abigil. “I was very interested in what Ohio College2Careers could provide.”

After Cyndi helped Abigil determine she was eligible for OOD services, the next step was determining Abigil’s interests and strengths. “Each time I meet with Abigil, I can see her confidence just grow and grow. I am helping her make decisions about her future career, which helps her to feel confident. She is adjusting to university dorm life and taking full-time courses,” said Cyndi.

Betsey Marks-Linder, Evaluator with Career Assessment Systems, Inc., provided a Vocational Evaluation Assessment for Abigil. The assessment helped Abigil know how she might operate in each career and provides information on the demand of those jobs in Ohio, as well as pay ranges. Results indicated that Abigil would benefit from a Career Exploration Assessment that would give her insight into working with animals, one of her interests, by providing real-life experiences through job shadowing. The outcomes will shape Abigil’s Individualized Plan for Employment.

This spring, Abigil will begin career exploration of Veterinary Technologist and Agricultural Technician jobs. “I am looking forward to exploring career goals. I know when the time comes, I will have the support I need in finding an internship,” said Abigil.

“Being able to assist Abigil and other students with disabilities is so rewarding,” said Cyndi. “In the end, the goal is for Abigil to be able to make good choices about her career path, discover her passion in life, and succeed to her fullest potential.”

For more information about Ohio College2Careers, visit https://ood.ohio.gov/wps/portal/gov/ood/individuals-with-disabilities/services/students-14-plus.

Disability Studies Graduate Certificate

Female student in wheelchair sits with another female at a campus table

The University of Toledo has unveiled its disability studies certificate. The graduate certificate in disabilities studies is ideal for working professionals and graduate students seeking advancement in a wide range of areas including policy, education, advocacy, compliance, medical and allied health, engineering and design, humanities, and social sciences. All classes are offered exclusively online, and the university is enrolling now for fall 2020. Visit https://www.utoledo.edu/al/disability/graduate-certificate.html for more information.

All About Accessibility: RAZ Memory Cell Phone

RAZ Memory Cell Phone showing 6 buttons and emergency button

The RAZ Memory Cell Phone was designed for individuals with dementia or intellectual disabilities to stay connected with their loved ones. The simple design has one primary screen with three elements: pictures and names of up to six contacts, a button to call 911, and time and battery power. Visit https://www.razmobility.com/solutions/memory-cellphone for more information.

In the News

Finalists for Preeminent Award in Public-Sector Innovation Announced

Ash Center for Democratic Governance and Innovation at Harvard University’s John F. Kennedy School of Government, 3-5-20

Twitter Bans Hateful Conduct Around Age, Disease and Disability

Cnet.com, 3-5-20

People with Disabilities are Still Struggling to Find Employment — Here are the Obstacles They Face

CNBC, 3-3-20

Disability Innovation: 3 Pitfalls to Avoid, 5 Tips for Success

Forbes, 2-29-20

March Designated as Developmental Disabilities Awareness Month

TimeReporter.com, 2-28-20

Bose Frames Work with Microsoft's Navigation Tech for the Blind

engadget, 2-27-20

Deaf and Hard of Hearing People Are Helping to Fix the Podcast Accessibility Problem

Forbes, 2-26-20

Stow's DeCamp and Curry Overcome Odds in Swimming Pool

MyTownNEO (Kent), 2-25-20

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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.