 In 2013, Andrew Bishop was referred to Opportunities for Ohioans with Disabilities (OOD) by Colonel Crawford High School, where he met with OOD Senior Vocational Rehabilitation Counselor Shannon Fletcher. Shannon worked with the Crawford County Board of Developmental Disabilities (CCBDD), Crawford County Bridges contract, and Richland Newhope Industries (RNI) for Andrew to participate in summer youth services.
Andrew has Distal Trisomy 15, a rare chromosomal disorder, and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder. Since staying focused can be a challenge for Andrew, the team supported him in identifying his strengths and tasks that would be a good fit.
In May 2020, Andrew graduated from high school and Pioneer Career & Technology Center. He continued to receive services through CCBDD and transferred to OOD Senior Vocational Rehabilitation Counselor Audrey Mueller. Andrew set his sights on a job in food service. He worked with Troy Gilliland, RNI Job Developer, and found a job at Burger King.
“Andrew has shown growth in his attention span and focus since we started working together,” said Troy. “He is an outgoing young man with a great personality. Andrew took our suggestions and applied them to be successful at Burger King.”
Job tasks include washing dishes and keeping the lobby cleaned and sanitized. Andrew said, “Working with Troy has helped me to socialize with the public. I come home and share the joy and excitement I see throughout the day.”
From the beginning, Andrew felt welcomed and supported at his job. Burger King staff celebrated his birthday on his second day of work. “The team at Burger King treats me so nice, and I get along with them,” Andrew explained. With his first paycheck, Andrew purchased a controller for his Xbox. He felt happy to be able to do this on his own.
“OOD and partners help Andrew and others with disabilities to have a chance at working in the community,” said Gary, Andrew’s dad.
“Andrew demonstrated his desire to find work, even faced with a pandemic. He rose to the challenges of safety guidelines, wearing masks, and meeting the employer’s expectations,” explained Audrey. “These times have shown that Andrew will continue to rise to any challenges he faces.”
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.
 The Ohio ChannelGovernor Mike DeWine’s biennial Executive Budget for Fiscal Years 2022 and 2023 reinforces his commitment to making Ohio a Disability Inclusion State and Model Employer of Individuals with Disabilities.
On April 27, 2021, during the meeting of the Ohio Senate Health Committee,
Director Miller provided testimony on OOD’s fiscal year 2022-2023 budget requests for empowering Ohioans with disabilities through employment, disability determinations, and independence. Read his written testimony, or watch a video
on The Ohio Channel.
 American Sign Language (ASL) videos on important COVID-19 information, including vaccinations, are now available on the Ohio OOD YouTube channel. Please check back regularly as new videos will be added to the playlist. These videos are possible through the partnership between OOD, the Ohio Department of Health, and the Community Centers for the Deaf. Note: These videos are intended for Ohioans who are Deaf or Hard of Hearing and use ASL.
Along with the ASL videos, information for minority communities, non-English speakers, plain language materials, and more are featured at the Communication Resources Hub of coronavirus.ohio.gov.
 Mental health professionals: Deaf Services Center is offering a webinar series on providing culturally- appropriate mental health care to individuals who are Deaf or Hard of Hearing. The series begins May 7, 2021. Register at conta.cc/3dwEcsH. For information about earning 6.5 CEUs, please email johnmoore@dsc.org.
 We recognize and celebrate Asian American & Pacific Islander Ohioans during the month of May and always.
 Whispering Cave at Hocking Hills State Park
The Ohio Department of Natural Resources (ODNR) recently announced the formation of the new Ohio State Parks Foundation, a nonprofit group focused on enhancing and protecting Ohio’s 75 state parks. The Foundation will work to enhance visitor experience at parks across the state by partnering with individuals, corporations, and other entities to support unique and innovative projects in the parks.
“Ohioans place great value on the outdoors,” said Ohio Governor Mike DeWine. “Whether they are spending a night under the stars or hooking a fish, people truly enjoy spending time in Ohio’s state parks. It’s wonderful that Ohioans can now be part of making them even better through this Foundation.”
“The formation of this Foundation is a great development for our state parks,” said ODNR Director Mary Mertz. “Each member has a strong background in outdoor recreation and community service, making them the ideal people to make state parks even more incredible for every person who visits.”
The Foundation will first be working to fund a project focused on inclusion. Public spaces are for everyone, and the Foundation will focus on ensuring that all visitors feel welcome and safe. Funds will be used to enhance existing waterways and to create an accessible experience for all.
Ohio ranks 6th in the nation for the number of registered paddle craft. Making this popular pastime accessible is one priority for the Ohio State Parks Foundation. Accessible launch ramps, kayaks, and accessories will be made available at select park locations. These purchases will enable individuals with limited mobility or who use a wheelchair or mobility device to safely access the water.
Making trails safe and accessible to more Ohioans is also a priority for the Foundation. Trails naturally bring family and friends together while also promoting healthy living. For visitors who use a wheelchair or mobility device, funds will be used to purchase all-terrain wheelchairs specially designed for the safe navigation of uneven surfaces enabling them to safely explore. For visitors who are blind or have low vision, safety features and enhancements will be added at select trail locations to enhance the outdoor exploration experience. These features include braille signs along the trail, physical aids (such as guide ropes, which enable those with visual disabilities to navigate the trail without assistance), and sensory displays focused on touch (e.g., tree bark, soil, rocks), sound (audio guides, stream waters, etc.), and smell (wildflowers, pine cones, etc.).
Most Ohioans live within an hour of an Ohio state park. The parks never charge a fee to enter. ODNR encourages all Ohioans to get out and explore a state park and to support the Ohio State Parks Foundation today.
Learn more at OhioStateParksFoundation.Org.
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