Tisha Manages Work with Glaucoma

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Tisha Manages Work with Glaucoma

Tisha Coterel has been with Cal Products and Services in Waverly for 17 years, managing a storage rental facility. She also provides personal care assistance to the business’ owner.

In March 2020, Tisha made an appointment with her optometrist. He was concerned about pressure in her eyes and referred her to Dr. Stephen Demick, an ophthalmologist in Chillicothe.

Dr. Demick referred Tisha to Opportunities for Ohioans with Disabilities (OOD), and she connected with OOD’s Bureau of Services for the Visually Impaired (BSVI) and Kimberly Chaffin, Vocational Rehabilitation Counselor. Tisha had surgical restoration that stabilized her vision.

Tisha explained, “I received laser surgery just in time. I could have lost my eyesight.”

OOD continued to support Tisha to help her manage work and daily life with glaucoma.

Kimberly said, “Tisha was determined to maintain employment.”

OOD connected Tisha to Kathy Moos with Vision Rehab Practitioners. Tisha received a low vision worksite evaluation and then was provided customized assistive technology and training to help her do the work required of her two distinct roles. She also received glasses to help with driving at dusk. Tisha said, “I can drive at night now, and it has been years. I would leave work early, especially in the winter. Now I don’t have to and can work more hours during the week.”

“Glaucoma is an eye disease where glare and lighting are the two biggest needs to address,” Kimberly explained. “Kathy nailed it.”

“I’m glad the program exists,” Tisha said. “Kimberly and Kathy were really helpful. They explained everything in detail, and it was a wonderful experience.”

If you or somebody you know has a disability and would like to work, visit OODWorks.com or call 800-282-4536.

OOD Continues to Assist Job Seekers

Man with mask on with wording: in the past 45 weeks, we have placed 4,184 Ohioans with disabilities into jobs in healthcare, etc.

If you or somebody you know has a disability and would like 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.

Seeking Feedback on Employment Experiences

Opportunities for Ohioans with Disabilities Vocational Rehabilitation Survey of Individuals with Disabilities

OOD is pleased to launch a statewide survey to give Ohioans with disabilities a chance to provide feedback about their employment experiences. Survey responses will help OOD evaluate its effectiveness, make improvements, and enhance outreach efforts. The survey is brief (10-15 minutes) and completely anonymous.

Responses to this survey will ultimately help OOD bring positive, lasting change for other individuals with disabilities.

Take the survey.

OOD Council Subcommittee to Meet

Woman in front of lap top with 9 people's faces on laptop

The OOD Council’s Vocational Rehabilitation (VR) Policy subcommittee will meet on February 10, 2021 at 10:00 a.m. The meeting will take place as a Microsoft Teams Live Event. You can view the meeting through your web browser, and you do not need to have Microsoft Teams to participate. For more information about the OOD Council and the link to join the meeting, please visit the OOD Council webpage.

COVID-19 Vaccination

This week Ohioans with developmental/intellectual disabilities coupled with severe congenital, developmental, or early-onset medical disorders are eligible for the COVID-19 vaccine. Individuals with a developmental or intellectual disability and one of the specific qualifying medical conditions found here will be contacted by local developmental disabilities advocates who are arranging vaccinations. For more information, please see the Priority Populations and Vaccine Distribution Fact Sheet.

While the COVID-19 vaccine supply is currently limited, additional shipments are coming to Ohio each week. To find a vaccine provider near you, visit Vaccine.Coronavirus.Ohio.Gov.

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

All About Accessibility: Glaucoma Awareness Month

hand holding red string with word: Glaucoma

January is National Glaucoma Awareness Month, a time to spread the word about this sight-stealing disease and the importance of regular eye examinations to preserve vision.

According to the Glaucoma Research Foundation, more than three million Americans have glaucoma, and experts estimate that half of them do not know they have it.

Learn more about glaucoma, request a free educational booklet, and find tips to raise awareness at Glaucoma.org.

In the News

Envision AI Glasses – A Game-Changer in Helping Blind People Master Their Environment

Forbes, 1-28-21

As More Deaf People are Seen on TV, Others Want to be Heard

The New York Times, 1-27-21

Ross County Board of DD Appoints New Superintendent

Chillicothe Gazette, 1-26-21

Ramping Up Accessibility

Circleville Herald, 1-26-21

RespectAbility Brings Accessibility and Inclusion Series to Sundance

Forbes, 1-25-21

Delphos Couple Hopes Tracking Devices Keep Children with Autism from ‘Running’

LimaOhio.com, 1-23-21

Black, Deaf, and Extremely Online

The New York Times, 1-23-21

WSU Alum Advocating for Disability Awareness

The Wright State Guardian, 1-22-21

New Rhodes State Program Trains Autistic Students for CNC Jobs

LimaOhio.com, 1-21-21

NCD Announces New Chairman Andrés Gallegos

National Council on Disability Newsroom, 1-21-21

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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) 2020, OOD received $103,332,949 in federal funds. Funds appropriated by the State covered 21.3 % of the total costs, or $27,966,859. Of these federal funds, $15,499,942 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 2020, OOD received $369,584 for SE Youth with a Disability, and State appropriated funds paid the remaining 10%, or $41,065 of the total costs. In FFY 2020, OOD received $369,584 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 2020 paid 90% of the total costs incurred under the program. In FFY 2020, OOD received $1,148,413 in federal grant funds. Funds appropriated by the State paid over the 10% required match, or $127,601 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 2020. In FFY 2020, OOD received $641,721 in federal grant funds. Funds appropriated by the State paid over the 10% of the match required or $71,302 of the total costs incurred under the IL Program.