 Jared Siefker began his senior year at Columbus Grove High School in August 2019. He started working with Stacy Inbody, an Intervention Specialist with the high school, because he has a learning disability. When Jared expressed interest in work credits, the discussion led to Stacy referring him to Opportunities for Ohioans with Disabilities (OOD).
In October 2019, Jared met with Rachel Erford, an OOD Senior Vocational Rehabilitation Counselor, to discuss job skills and opportunities. Rachel referred Jared to PARTNERS in Employment, Inc. Jared met with Vocational Specialists Jannean Doster and Kristen Kime. They worked with Jared to plan and work toward a career path.
In November 2019, Jared interviewed at Production Products Inc. (PPI) for the Tugger/Machine Operator-Hoist/Winch Operator position. He was offered the job and received an early release from school to obtain work credits. While attending school, Jared worked from 2:00 - 8:30 p.m., Monday through Friday.
Jared had perfect attendance for four months and received a pay raise. However, in March 2020, Jared was laid off due to the pandemic. Nevertheless, Rachel continued to keep in contact with him.
When Jared graduated from high school in May 2020, he was rehired at PPI and received another pay raise. He began working 50 hours per week, including overtime. Jared has medical, dental, and visual insurance, and he earns leave time.
PPI is thrilled with Jared’s work and offered him the back-up team leader position. Jared was excited about the offer but declined because he did not feel he was ready at this time. He wanted to continue to learn his current job.
“Jared is a positive and reliable person. He shows up every day ready for anything we task him with,” said Jason Stults, PPI Team Leader. “Jared is helpful to others, and we utilize him to train new team members. Jared is an excellent team member, and we are better for having him.”
“With my learning disability, I struggled to read,” said Jared. “PPI gave me the opportunity to succeed.”
“Jared came to OOD with a passion to work, and he knew he wanted to do a job that could be hands-on because that is how he learned best,” said Rachel. “Not many can say they found a career job while in high school and during a global pandemic. Jared is an incredible young adult who has been dedicated to finding employment and making a name for himself.”
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.
 March is Developmental Disabilities Awareness Month! We pause to celebrate Ohioans with developmental disabilities and encourage inclusion. It is an honor to help individuals with developmental disabilities live fulfilling lives through employment, contributing to a better Ohio.
This month we also recognize the importance of support from families, direct support professionals, county boards of developmental disabilities, the Ohio Department of Developmental Disabilities, and others.
Governor DeWine shared a video regarding this special month and issued a proclamation.
 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.
Understanding that people of color are disproportionately affected by COVID-19, a video was created by black physicians in Columbus, Ohio in an effort to advocate for people of color and share their perspectives on the importance of getting vaccinated.
Ohioans can find vaccine provider locations at vaccine.coronavirus.ohio.gov. Those who do not have access to the internet or are having trouble managing the online scheduling systems should call their local health department, the 211 helpline center, or the Area Agencies on Aging at 1-866-243-5678.
For trusted information on coronavirus (COVID-19) in Ohio, visit coronavirus.ohio.gov or call 1-833-4-ASK-ODH (1-833-427-5634).
OOD can help students with disabilities ages 14+ get an early start exploring careers. We serve students with physical, intellectual, sensory, and mental health disabilities. Watch a video, and learn more about the program on OOD’s Students 14+ webpage.
 Adaptive Sports Ohio is committed to ensuring that individuals with physical disabilities have a chance to play. They are actively working to advance opportunities for student-athletes across Ohio and have helped school districts launch wheelchair basketball teams for students in grades 1-12. Adaptive Sports Ohio is looking for more school districts to join the league and commit to giving students with disabilities a chance to play school sports. Learn more at the Adaptive Sports Ohio website.
Treasurer Sprague Recognizes March as National Developmental Disabilities Awareness Month
The Highland County Press, 3-4-21
Van Wert County Board of DD Focuses on Community Inclusion During Developmental Disabilities Awareness Month
Times Bulletin Media, 3-2-21
What Does it Mean to Be ‘Deaf With a Capital D’?
Health.com, 3-2-21
Diagnosing Autism in the Pandemic
The New York Times, 3-1-21
Goodwill Opens Adult Day Service Center in South Bloomfield
Circleville Herald, 3-1-21
Blind Skier Seeks Out Risk, Delivers Motivational Message
The Aspen Times, 3-1-21
Paulding Non-Profit Workshop Connecting Those with Disabilities to the Community
WTOL, 2-26-21
|
