Jennifer Discovers the Right Job Fit

Opportunities for Ohioans with Disabilities sent this bulletin at 03/12/2021 09:35 AM EST

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Jennifer Discovers the Right Job Fit

Back of woman head wearing a ponytail looking in a warehouse. text Work is important because it keeps me busy, Jennifer Sehm

Meet Jennifer Sehm from Akron. In her fifties, Jennifer, who is Deaf, decided it was time to put herself out there for a job opportunity. However, she knew she would need support along the way. “I did not have much help back in my younger days about how to live as a Deaf individual,” said Jennifer.

In 2016, Jennifer connected with Catherine Vickery, Opportunities for Ohioans with Disabilities (OOD) Senior Vocational Rehabilitation Counselor for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing. Catherine knew that despite having a short work history, Jennifer had a lot to offer the right job.

Working with Casey Ring, Adult and Youth Vocational Rehabilitation Specialist with the Cleveland Hearing and Speech Center, Jennifer received the help she needed to prepare and search for employment. Services included job-seeking skills training, job development, interpreting, and job coaching.

In the summer of 2020, Jennifer started at Lowe’s as a cash tiller, but this position was not a good fit. With support from the Lowe’s team, Jennifer was able to try different positions until she found the one that was right for her: stocking.

Catherine said, “It means the whole world to me to see Jennifer happy on the job and successful in being more independent. It is wonderful to see her interact with others, learn new skills, and earn her own money.”

“Work is important because it keeps me busy instead of staying at home doing nothing,” Jennifer said. “I thank Catherine, Casey, the staff at Lowe's, and my brother Neal for helping me.”

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

Photo of man pointing a pen at a computer. Text In the past 51 weeks, we have placed 4,736 Ohioans with disabilities into jobs

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.

National Deaf History Month

National Deaf History Month is celebrated from March 13 through April 15 to honor the achievements of people who are Deaf or hard of hearing.

Three key advancements include the 1817 establishment of the American School for the Deaf in Hartford, Connecticut as the first permanent public school for the Deaf, the 1864 signing of the Gallaudet University charter by President Lincoln, and the 1988 Deaf President Now protest.

Here in Ohio, the team of American Sign Language (ASL) interpreters for Governor DeWine’s COVID briefings, provided by OOD, has communicated critical and timely information to ensure that 303,000 Ohioans who are Deaf or Hard of Hearing are not left behind.

Marla Berkowitz is the only Certified Deaf Interpreter in Ohio, and she is making Ohio history. She explained the significance of the past year: “Local officials have had ASL interpreters in the past, yet for the first time in our Deaf history, Deaf Interpreters like myself are being used instead of hearing interpreters to ensure public health information is accessible throughout the state of Ohio to individuals who are Deaf, DeafBlind, DeafDisabled, Late Deafened, and Hard of Hearing.”

The use of Certified Deaf Interpreters on live streams, television broadcasts, and social media platforms ensures that individuals who are Deaf and Hard of Hearing have critical public health information in ASL to inform their health and safety decisions. While closed captioning is often available, it does not benefit people who are not fluent in English and communicate using ASL only.

Marla said, “This is an opportunity for local officials, not the Deaf community, to reach out to the marginalized Deaf and Hard of Hearing community who use ASL to have the same rights for access to public health information as their hearing counterparts.”

Students Participate in Five-County Transition Expo

photos of women and men, dog in bucket, and students in classroom setting. Text Five-County Transition Expo

On March 9, 2021, in partnership with the Ohio Department of Education Region 14 Transition Council, local OhioMeansJobs offices, and local county boards of developmental disabilities, OOD hosted the virtual “Deb Hall 5-County Transition Expo.”

During the 5^th annual event, more than 300 high school students from 16 school districts in Adams, Brown, Clinton, Fayette, and Highland Counties learned about jobs in local industries and participated in a virtual job interviewing skills workshop. They also had the chance to network with six local area employers: Good Dog Groomery, Harmony Salon, M&A Small Engine Repair, Jerrad Luschek Welding, W&W Dry Cleaners, and Highland House Banquet Center.

Special thanks to a variety of OOD staff who contributed to the success of the expo: Kim Colyer, Cynthia Crews, Amy Bradford, Tami Fultz, Paetra Flaspohler, Kerri Stickney, Vicki Grozier, Sonya Hill, Jennifer Pitman, Abbie Wallace, Jennifer St. Clair, Jennifer Ezell, and Eric Muller.

Help Us Help Individuals with Disabilities

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.

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.

Centralized Vaccination Scheduling Website

Text Can I get the vaccine? Use this tool to find out if you are eligible to receive a COVID-19 vaccine

Earlier this week, Ohio Governor Mike DeWine announced that Ohio's centralized scheduling website is now available at GetTheShot.Coronavirus.Ohio.Gov. The website serves as a singular location for Ohioans to confirm that they are eligible to be vaccinated, identify nearby providers, and schedule their vaccine appointments.

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

All About Accessibility: ACT Test Prep

Woman and man smiling. Text ACT Test Prep

In partnership with the National Technical Institute for the Deaf and the Ohio School for the Deaf, OOD is offering a six-week online course to help students who are Deaf, Hard of Hearing, and Deafblind prepare to take the American College Test (ACT). Learn more and find required electronic forms on the OOD website. The deadline to apply and submit all completed forms is March 21, 2021.

In the News

Lawrence County DD Recognizes March as DD Awareness Month

Ironton Tribune, 3-10-21

New Lebanon Coffee Shop Promises Caffeine Kick, Job Opportunities for People with Special Needs

WLWT, 3-9-21

Fairfield Skyline Celebrates Employee with Disabilities for 35-Year Career

Journal-News, 3-8-21

As Remote Work Becomes the Norm, Vast New Possibilities Open for Autistic People

The Wall Street Journal, 3-8-21

Olentangy High School Senior Overcomes Disabilities and Joins Wrestling Team

WCMH, 3-6-21

Commission Proclaims March DD Awareness Month

The Register-Herland, 3-6-21

Man with Developmental Disabilities Inspires City Revamp, Connects with Mayor

WTVG, 3-5-21

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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.