National Disability Professionals Week

Opportunities for Ohioans with Disabilities sent this bulletin at 06/19/2020 10:40 AM EDT

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National Disability Professionals Week

June 15-19, 2020, is National Disability Professionals Week, as recognized by the National Association of Disability Examiners (NADE). This professional organization represents and supports professionals in the field of disability adjudication, including examiners, administrators, physicians, support staff, and others.

The OOD Division of Disability Determination (DDD), in agreement with the Social Security Administration (SSA), determines medical eligibility for Ohioans who apply for Social Security Disability benefits (Social Security Disability Insurance and Supplemental Security Income).

In honor of this special week, OOD is highlighting some of our DDD staff and why they choose to serve.

Charla Henry, Senior Disability Claims Adjudicator

Charla has worked for DDD for 14 years. She began her career as a Disability Claims Adjudicator after working as a home health aide.

“I work with an amazing group of people. The disability claims process is scary and full of unknowns. When the process is over, I hope my claimants say that I was helpful and kind.”

Enid Quinn, Senior Disability Claims Adjudicator

Enid has been with DDD for 19 years. After a stroke, she was an SSI recipient for five years and received services from the Bureau of Vocational Rehabilitation (BVR) that led to a degree in social work. After working for a medical supply company, Enid was glad to find a job that would allow her to give back to the community while utilizing her medical, legal, and social service knowledge.

“If there is one thing I would want a claimant to say about me, it would be that they are helped by my work and appreciate my help.”

Gerrie Pearson, Disability Claims Development Analyst

Gerrie has been with the agency for 25 years and the state of Ohio for 29 years. Gerrie started her career at the Student Loan Commission and then accepted a job at the Rehabilitation Services Commission (former name of OOD) in the Finance Department. Gerrie wanted a position that would allow her to help others become more independent and confident.

“I listen to my claimants. I want to assure them that no matter what they are facing, they cannot give up.”

Jessica Somerlot, Senior Disability Claims Adjudicator

Jessica has been with DDD for 15 years. As a communication and sociology major in college, the job was a good fit from the start.

“The best part of my job is knowing I’ve had an impact on someone’s life. It’s rewarding to speak with Ohioans who are truly grateful for the time and effort I have put into their claim.If there is one thing I would want a claimant to say about me, it would be that I treated them like a person and not a case to get off my desk.”

Jimmy L. Gaines, Disability Claims Adjudicator

Jimmy has been with DDD for one year. When his wife’s aunt retired from an adjudicator position, he thought it might also be a good career for him.

“The things I like best about my job are my supervisor and my co-workers and the fact that I get to help people in need. If there is one thing I would want a claimant to say about me, it is that I care for every claim and that I go above and beyond to ensure I make the correct decisions regarding someone’s disability.”

Kaleigh Matthews, Disability Claims Adjudicator

Kaleigh has been with DDD for 18 months and had previous experience working with individuals with disabilities but wanted to find a job that would allow her to help those most in need.

“The best part of my job is that I get to help people. If there is one thing I would want a claimant to say about me, it would be that they felt heard and that they understood what was happening with their case.”

Michelle Anderson, Disability Claims Adjudicator

Michelle has worked for DDD for 25 years. Someone had told her about the job, and she applied because it sounded interesting.

"What I like best about my job is being able to help someone through a hard time in their life. If there is one thing I would want a claimant to say about me, it is that I care.”

Michelle Balsizer, Senior Disability Claims Adjudicator

Michelle has been with the agency for 16 years. She applied for the job because she was interested in helping others. Her dad had been a job coach when she was growing up, so she learned by example, how important it was to enhance someone’s life who had a disability.

“I would hope that all my claimants would say I was respectful and kind."

Nichole Goodspeed, Senior Disability Claims Adjudicator

Nichole has been with DDD for 15 years. She applied for the job because her psychology degree was listed as a requirement when she saw the post in the newspaper. She loves serving Ohioans and thinks her co-workers are the best.

“If there were one thing I would want a claimant to say about me, it is that I made the difficult or stressful situation they were dealing with a bearable one.”

Teresa Mercurio, Senior Disability Claims Adjudicator

Teresa has been with DDD for 15 years. She was drawn to the job because she wanted to help people. The best part of my job is making a difference for someone.

“If there is one thing I would want a claimant to say about me, it would be that I was respectful and available.”

OOD Continues to Assist Job Seekers

Photo graphic of African American Woman in Produce section of grocery store with a mask; Text: OOD has placed 788 individuals in jobs

If you have a disability and want to work, reach out to OOD today. Vocational Rehabilitation Counselors can help you explore your options. Visit OODWorks.com or call 800-282-4536 to get started.

Trusted Coronavirus Information

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For trusted information on coronavirus (COVID-19) in Ohio, visit coronavirus.ohio.gov or call 1-833-4-ASK-ODH (1-833-427-5634).

Happy Father's Day to all dads, everywhere, for all that you do!

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Facebook and Instagram offer tips for making posts on social media more accessible. Information covers photos, language, hashtags, emojis, color, animated GIFs, audio, video, and more. Download an accessible PDF version of the tips at https://fb.me/AccessiblePosts and https://fb.me/AccessiblePosts-Video.

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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.