 During the COVID-19 pandemic, healthcare workers have answered the call to fight the virus in their communities. Opportunities for Ohioans with Disabilities (OOD) would like to recognize one hero supported to find a job in pharmacy.
Jeff Berner is a lifelong Ohioan and always knew he wanted to work in the medical field. Pharmacy piqued his interest because he found medications and how they can help people fascinating. After high school, Jeff enrolled at the University of Findlay and earned his Doctorate in Pharmacy in 2018.
Diagnosed with depression and anxiety at the age of 10, he found simple situations agitating. “My disability has made it difficult to handle stressful situations such as school and finding a job,” said Jeff.
After struggling to find a job because of his disability, a mental health specialist at his doctor’s office recommended he reach out to OOD for assistance.
Dan Williams, an OOD Job Developer, worked with Jeff on mock interviewing. His hard work paid off, and Jeff was hired by PharMerica in the Cincinnati area in November 2020.
When asked what it was like to work with Jeff, Dan replied, “His positivity and drive to keep going never diminished.”
Jeff said his job is challenging and at times a little crazy, but he is so glad to be working as a pharmacist.
He wants other people who are struggling to keep pushing through, saying, “Just because we have this diagnosis doesn’t mean we can’t succeed in life.”
Jeff values his experience with OOD. He said, “I would 100% recommend OOD. I doubt I would have been able to find a job without all the help and support they have given me. You have nothing to lose and absolutely everything to gain.”
If you or somebody you know has a disability and would like to work, visit OODWorks.com or call 800-282-4536.
 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.
 Bessie Blount was born on November 24, 1914 in Hickory, Virginia. She was left-handed, and during her early school years, a teacher would smack her on the knuckles for using the “wrong” hand. Because she loved going to school, she taught herself to write with both hands.
Blount attended the Panzar College of Physical Education and Union Junior College, where she studied physical therapy. After World War II ended, many soldiers returned from the frontlines missing limbs. To help veterans perform basic eating tasks, Blount created a tubular device that delivered self-paced bites of food. Later she developed a neck brace with built-in support for managing a cup or bowl.
In 1969, Blount branched into a second career working with law enforcement, conducting forensic research for police departments in New Jersey and Virginia. Her specialty became handwriting analysis. In 1977 she was sent to train and work at Scotland Yard in England. She was the first African American woman to be honored with this opportunity. She operated her own business until the age of 83. Blount died on December 30, 2009.
 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.
A survey with embedded videos in American Sign Language (ASL) is now available. If you have already responded to the survey, there is no need to respond again.
 OOD is pleased to present The Employers’ ADA Handbook, a free five-part series to help employers navigate Title I of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA).
The Employers’ ADA Handbook features monthly hour-long webinars with an accompanying Learner’s Guide and resources. Questions and answers are facilitated throughout the presentations. The trainings are hosted by OOD’s Worksite
Accessibility Specialist, Julie Wood, OTR/L, ADAC, and Business Relations Specialist, Dennis DeYoung. The first session, Title I Overview, is available on-demand.
On Wednesday, February 24 at 10 a.m., the second session, Reasonable Accommodations and Undue Hardship, will cover best practices and guidelines for providing reasonable accommodations to qualified applicants and employees with disabilities, as well as criteria to assess undue hardship and net cost of accommodations. Questions and answers are facilitated throughout the presentation. Specific topics to be discussed will include:
- Definition of reasonable accommodation and undue hardship
- Categories and examples of reasonable accommodations
- Requests for reasonable accommodation and how to navigate the interactive process
- Resources and funding to offset an undue hardship
You do not need to pre-register for this training, but please respond to this survey to let us know you'll be joining us. This will assist us in making sure we are sharing any updates, attachments and resources before and after the event.
The training will take place as a Microsoft Teams Live Event. You can view the training through your web browser, and you do not need to have Microsoft Teams to participate. Here is the link to join the training.
This Program has been approved for 1.00 HR (General) recertification credit hours toward aPHR™, aPHRi™, PHR®, PHRca®, SPHR®, GPHR®, PHRi™, and SPHRi™ recertification through HR Certification Institute® (HRCI®).
 |
|
The use of this official seal confirms that this activity has met HR Certification Institute’s® (HRCI®) criteria for recertification credit pre-approval. |
OOD is committed to providing access and reasonable accommodation in its services, activities, and programs in accordance with the ADA and other applicable laws. To request an accommodation based on a disability, please contact Chris Glover at Chris.Glover@ood.ohio.gov by February 22, 2021.
 Whether you hear myths on social media, at work, or from friends or family, there is a lot of dangerous misinformation out there about COVID-19 vaccines. The truth is that COVID-19 vaccines are safe, effective, and rigorously tested. Ohio’s COVID-19 Vaccine Town Halls are designed to help you sift through the myths and learn where you can find reliable, trustworthy information about COVID-19 vaccines.
You’ve got questions, and the upcoming Town Halls will give you answers. Hear from medical experts, community leaders, and public health professionals. Watch livestreams at the following dates and times:
• Monday, Feb. 22, 6:30 p.m. – African American Ohioans
• Tuesday, Feb. 23, 6:30 p.m. – Hispanic/Latino Ohioans
• Monday, March 1, 6:30 p.m. – Asian American and Pacific Islander Ohioans
• Tuesday, March 2, 6:30 p.m. – Rural Ohioans
How to watch:
Watch live or on-demand after the event:
• Facebook
• YouTube (live captioning will be available)
• Online
Watch later on TV:
Watch later on the Ohio Channel (closed captioning will be available). Find your local channel by checking with your PBS station or television provider. Dates and times you can watch:
• Saturday, Feb. 27, 6 p.m. – Ohio COVID-19 Vaccine Town Hall for African Americans
• Saturday, Feb. 27, 7 p.m. – Ohio COVID-19 Vaccine Town Hall for Hispanic/Latino Americans
• Sunday, Feb. 28, 2 p.m. – Ohio COVID-19 Vaccine Town Hall for African Americans
• Sunday, Feb. 28, 3 p.m. – Ohio COVID-19 Vaccine Town Hall for Hispanic/Latino • Americans
• Saturday, March 6, 6 p.m. – Ohio COVID-19 Vaccine Town Hall for Asian American and Pacific Islander Ohioans
• Saturday, March 6, 7 p.m. – Ohio COVID-19 Vaccine Town Hall for Rural Ohioans
• Sunday, March 7, 2 p.m. – Ohio COVID-19 Vaccine Town Hall for Asian American and Pacific Islander Ohioans
• Sunday, March 7, 3 p.m. – Ohio COVID-19 Vaccine Town Hall for Rural Ohioans
Learn more at coronavirus.ohio.gov/townhall.
 OOD is pleased to announce a training opportunity in partnership with the Ohio Department of Administrative Services (DAS) Office of Diversity & Inclusion and the Ohio Department of Medicaid. Creating Accessible Content in Microsoft Office 365 will be presented on February 25, 2021 from 9:30-11:30 a.m.
Abbie Frase, Training Manager for the Ohio Department of Medicaid, and Jonathan Rollings, Technology-Based Training Developer for OOD, will lead this two-hour webinar. Participants will learn to improve the design of materials and presentations, make content more meaningful, and maximize documents' effectiveness. The discussion will include accessible writing and visual design techniques and teach participants how to craft purposeful alt text and create usable hyperlinks. They will also demonstrate quick tips and accessibility best practices for Office 365.
You do not need to pre-register for this training. Join the event on February 25th.
Live captions and American Sign Language interpretation will be provided. To request an ADA reasonable accommodation for this event, please contact odi@das.ohio.gov.
Snow Keeps Wheelchair Users’ Wheels Spinning
WTVG, 2-18-21
How to Disclose Disabilities to a Potential Employer
The Lantern, 2-17-21
Microsoft Starts New Program to Help Make More Accessible Games
The Verge, 2-16-21
Local Gym Partners with Organizations to Offer Boxing Classes for Children, Adults with Down Syndrome
WHO, 2-13-21
Kent State Student Featured on Opportunities for Ohioans with Disabilities Podcast
Kent State Today, 2-12-21
|
