 This June, Youth Leadership Forums (YLF) took place virtually across the state for 50 high school juniors and seniors with disabilities. OOD hosted the regional meetings in Cleveland, Canton, Dayton, Toledo, and Cincinnati, in partnership with the Ohio Statewide Independent Living Council and local Centers for Independent Living.
The mission of YLF is to help students build leadership skills to prepare them for secondary education, future employment, and living independently.
OOD Director Kevin Miller welcomed students, referred to as delegates, and encouraged them to "keep an open heart and an open attitude.” He told them, “YLF will help you be leaders for yourself, your families, and your community." Delegates also heard from many inspiring speakers with disabilities who discussed their paths to become self-advocates.
The Canton YLF featured speakers like poet and advocate LeDerick Horne. Horne shared his struggles with a learning disability and how it led to the career he has today.
Maggie Neumann of Maggie’s Marvelous Cheesecakes was a featured entrepreneur at the Cincinnati YLF. When Maggie had difficulty finding a job during the pandemic, she turned to her passion and created her own business. Maggie shared with students what it takes to be an entrepreneur.
Shari Cooper, Public Relations Assistant with Goodwill Easterseals Miami Valley, met with the Columbus YLF students and challenged them to examine how people with disabilities are portrayed in the media. She also introduced them to disability advocates on TikTok. Shari encouraged students to express themselves through writing: "By sharing your ideas, you can help forge a more inclusive future.”
“Shari taught me that through writing, I can present how I want people to think of me or share what I think of myself,” said delegate Pranay Muniyappa. “I’m smart, funny, and a scientist. I can write a blog about that and share what I know.”
Delegates for the Cleveland YLF session, hosted by Services for Independent Living, learned about resume writing and successful interviewing from Rich Bucceri, First Vice President and Talent Acquisition Executive with New York Community Bank.
Students were also educated about the history of the disability rights movement. Several YLF groups watched "Crip Camp," a documentary about a summer camp that brought together a group of teens with disabilities who built a campaign for greater equality.
All YLF forums included sessions with local government officials on the legislative process. Delegates that attended the Cleveland YLF, hosted by Linking Employment, Abilities and Potential (LEAP), listened to Will Gallup, Goodlife Ambassador for the Cuyahoga County Board of Developmental Disabilities. Will advised, "Get in touch with your local, state, and federal representatives. Find out if they advocate for what you believe in and tell them your needs. Take action by writing a letter about the changes you want to take place."
"I liked hearing from Will," said delegate Quinton Andrew- Owens. "He expanded my knowledge of government and how it works.
Tim Harrington, Executive Director of The Ability Center in Toledo, told delegates that it was vital for them to be part of the fabric of their communities. He said, "For you to be accepted and supported in the community, you need to be part of overall community planning as it relates to jobs, housing, and transportation. I encourage you all to get involved."
Assistive technology presentations informed students about cutting-edge accommodations and devices that can help in the workplace and school. Jamison Tork, Founder of The Jamison Project in Cincinnati, said, "By using the technology of today, you can enable yourself to do what you'd like to do in life. Technology offers opportunities, levels the playing field, and puts us on the same paths as others."
The Dayton YLF also helped delegates stretch beyond their comfort zones. Students wrote poetry, took part in a talent show, and learned valuable self-positivity and stress management skills.
All aspects of YLF moved delegates to develop their Personal Leadership Plan (PLP) to serve as a blueprint to empower themselves as young adults.
“Working on my leadership plan has helped me to realize my strengths,” said delegate Gregory “Scotty” Peel. “I can get my work done. My hobbies help me be creative. Working with my hands and being more involved in my community can help me find a job in the art field. I know college will present challenges, but YLF has shown me that I can overcome those challenges.”
"So often, these young people are not given high expectations, but then they come to YLF and see that leaders with disabilities can achieve success,” said Lisa Broseke, Youth Employment Coordinator at The Ability Center in Toledo. “This, in conjunction with the PLP helps delegates determine their focus and outline the steps to keep them accountable and motivated. These are the gifts of YLF."
“Being a part of YLF has taught me that I am a hard-working and independent person, said delegate Matt Kheder. “This week has shown me ways to improve myself and reach for independence.”
If you have a child 14 years of age or older with a disability, reach out to OOD for more information on how we can help your child with career exploration, skill development, and strategies to get a job after graduation. To find out more, visit the OOD Students 14+ webpage.
Priya Goddard is a 2021 participant of the Youth Leadership Forum (YLF) in Cleveland, a collaboration of Opportunities for Ohioans with Disabilities (OOD), the Ohio Statewide Independent Living Council, and Linking Employment, Abilities and Potential (LEAP).
At YLF, high school juniors and seniors with disabilities participate in a weeklong career leadership training program to help prepare them to be one of Ohio's future leaders by improving leadership, citizenship, and social skills.
Priya explained that she is writing a book on autism and getting bullied. “I was really thinking about some of the things that I’ve been through but also just really wanting to help other people,” she shared. “Everybody on the spectrum has their own differences, but each one of them has something to bring that is powerful and meaningful.”
Tune in to episode 30 wherever you listen to podcasts by searching "OOD Works." Transcripts and MP3 files are available at ood.ohio.gov/podcast.
 Ohio Governor Mike DeWine’s Executive Budget serves students with disabilities seeking higher education & career services through the Ohio Transition Support Partnership and Ohio College2Careers programs by serving 5,000+ high school & college students with disabilities annually through these partnerships.
The OOD Business Enterprise (BE) Program provides entrepreneurial careers in vending services by licensed operators who are legally blind. The program currently has 82 licensed operators managing businesses in foodservice and vending throughout Ohio. These opportunities include cafeterias, convenience stores, snack bars, and vending machines in state and federal buildings, highway rest areas, and at state colleges and universities where licensed operators have priority under the Randolph-Sheppard Act and Ohio Revised Code.
Longtime operator Dave Padgett is helping expand the program to Cleveland State University, which includes 39 vending machines in 21 different buildings. Dave has more than 27 years of experience and has operated similar businesses in 17 other locations. He temporarily oversees this location to get this business up and running while managing his convenience store at the Anthony J. Celebrezze Federal Building in downtown Cleveland. In his free time, Dave cheers on his beloved Cleveland Indians.
Learn more at the BE Program webpage.
Barry Larkin, former Cincinnati Reds player and Baseball Hall of Famer, shares that progress and science have given us a shot to beat this pandemic. Watch the Ohio Department of Health video.
For trusted information on coronavirus (COVID-19) in Ohio, visit coronavirus.ohio.gov or call 1-833-4-ASK-ODH (1-833-427-5634).
 Adaptive clothing is attire designed to help people who experience difficulty getting dressed. For some people with disabilities, adaptive clothing can lead to greater independence and comfort than traditional clothing. From adaptive pants and footwear to shirts and adaptive clothing for wheelchair users, a variety of solutions exist.
Learn more from LifeZest’s article on “53 Places to Buy Adaptive Clothing.”
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