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This week, Opportunities for Ohioans with Disabilities (OOD) announced Cleveland Clinic as the 2021 Governor’s Inclusive Employer Award winner for their commitment to individuals with disabilities in the workplace and being a leader of diversity and inclusion best practices in Ohio.
Moments after taking the oath of office, Ohio Governor Mike DeWine signed Executive Order 2019-03D, which established Ohio as a Disability Inclusion State and a Model Employer of Individuals with Disabilities. To reinforce his commitment to Ohioans with disabilities, H.B. 110 included presenting an award during October’s National Disability Employment Awareness Month (NDEAM) to employers who meet the criteria for having a workplace inclusive of individuals with disabilities.
“I am pleased to honor Cleveland Clinic’s commitment to providing an inclusive workplace,” said Governor DeWine. “They are leading the way for other Ohio businesses by recognizing individuals with disabilities provide a valuable and often untapped talent pool.”
Cleveland Clinic has demonstrated a clear commitment to creating and maintaining a workplace that includes individuals with disabilities. Their “disability-inclusive culture” is evident throughout all phases of employment with clear policies on hiring and retaining individuals with disabilities, handling reasonable accommodations, and maintaining employee privacy. They also provide accessible physical spaces and electronic resources, disability training, and an Employee Resource Group called DiverseAbility that supports caregivers and patients.
 From left to right: Kevin Miller, OOD Director; Tomislav Mihaljevic, MD, CEO and President of Cleveland Clinic; Felicia King, Northeast Ohio Faith Based/Minority Outreach Liaison with the Office of Governor DeWine; Diana Gueits-Rivera, Interim Executive Director, Diversity and Inclusion, Cleveland Clinic; Kelly Hancock, DNP, Chief Caregiver Officer, Cleveland Clinic.
“We appreciate our partnership with Cleveland Clinic to attract, engage, develop, and retain talented workers with disabilities,” said OOD Director Kevin Miller. “Cleveland Clinic has hired 30 OOD participants in the past year.
“Cleveland Clinic is committed to creating a diverse and inclusive organization. Our goal is to attract, recruit and retain a diverse workforce that is fully representative of the populations we serve,” said Kelly Hancock, D.N.P., Chief Caregiver Officer at Cleveland Clinic. “By understanding and respecting our differences, we can provide the very best patient care for everyone.”
OOD determined the criteria for the award in alignment with its Inclusive Employer Toolkit: Inclusive Workplace; Recruiting, Hiring, and Supporting Employees; Workplace Accommodations; and Workplace Accessibility. A five-member committee used a predetermined scoring rubric focused on the employer’s descriptions of policies, processes, and activities surrounding inclusive employment.
Cleveland Clinic is an OOD Employer Partner and was named a Gold Level OOD Employer Partner of Inclusion in 2020 and a Silver Level winner in 2019. OOD offers its sincere gratitude and appreciation to all employer partners for their commitment to establishing and growing a culture of diversity and inclusion in the Ohio workplace for individuals with disabilities. Employers looking to diversify and strengthen their workforce by including people with disabilities can learn more about partnering with OOD at the Business Relations Team webpage.
 Brandi Brown is 41 years old and lives in New Philadelphia with her husband, Jimmy. Born with spina bifida, Brandi explains, "A lot of people with my condition are not able to walk, but I can walk. I don't require the use a wheelchair, but sometimes I do need a walker to assist me.”
When Brandi lost her Supplemental Security Income (SSI) benefits, she soon realized she would need to go back to school to get a job. She posted a question on social media about getting help and someone suggested OOD.
Brandi first met with OOD Senior Vocational Rehabilitation Counselor Tim Knappenberger in 2018. Tim learned about Brandi’s goals, completed an assessment, and helped get her enrolled in the Medical Technology Billing and Coding Certificate program through the Buckeye Career Center in New Philadelphia. Brandi took adult education classes for nine months and graduated as a Medical Office Billing Specialist. As part of the program, Brandi completed an externship with Dr. Kurt Garren who hired her full-time.
“I love working,” Brandi said. “Losing my SSI was truly a blessing in disguise. Without the experience, I wouldn’t have looked into what I could do.”
After working for a year, Brandi reached out to Tim regarding learning to drive. He arranged for Brandi to be evaluated by Mercy Medical Center in Canton to determine her potential and any needed adaptations. With help from Julie Dominik, OT/L, CDRS, CDI, an Occupational Therapist for Cleveland Clinic's Driver Evaluation and Rehabilitation Program, Brandi learned how to drive a modified vehicle with hand controls and received her license in July 2020.
Julie explained, “Brandi never thought she would be able to drive. It was her first experience in a car at 39 years of age. We worked together, and I watched her transformation and growing confidence from school and work. She did it and found freedom she never thought would be hers.”
Thanks to the collaborative efforts of OOD, Rick Nelson with Seabryer Assistive Technologies, and MobilityWorks, Brandi had her own vehicle modified with hand controls. Now, she drives herself to work every day.
“Brandi is all heart,” said Tim, who recently retired from OOD. “Going to school, getting a job, and learning to drive has opened Brandi’s life up in such a profound way. “She overcame all her fears, spread her wings, and with one big step after another, she increased her level of independence.”
"For a long time, I thought I would always be dependent on someone else,” said Brandi. “Driving has opened things up for me. My family is thrilled, and I am so happy with my new level of independence.”
If you or somebody you know has a disability and would like to work, visit OODWorks.com or call 800-282-4536.
 October 17-23, 2021 is Invisible Disabilities Week, which brings attention to those disabilities that are not readily apparent based on appearance. These could be physical, mental, or neurological conditions that limit a person’s abilities. Examples of invisible disabilities include developmental delays and autism spectrum disorder.
Read a proclamation from Governor DeWine.
Symptoms of invisible disabilities can often lead to misunderstandings, false perceptions, and judgments. The Invisible Disabilities Association works to encourage, educate, and connect people touched by invisible disabilities. During this special week, the association encourages wearing blue and using the hashtags #VisibleCourage and #InvisibleDisabilitiesWeek on social media in support of people with invisible disabilities.
Ohioans ages 12-25! Get your COVID-19 shot and get a shot at one of five $100,000 scholarships or one of 150 $10,000 scholarships to use at any Ohio college, university, trade/technical school, or career program of your choice! Registration is now open at OhioVax2School.com.
For trusted information on coronavirus (COVID-19) in Ohio, visit coronavirus.ohio.gov or call 1-833-4-ASK-ODH (1-833-427-5634).
 Many people with disabilities fear that they will lose needed health care and other disability benefits if they work. The Disability Benefits 101 website (DB101) provides people with disabilities tools and information on employment, health coverage, and Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) and Supplemental Security Income (SSI).
DB101 provides:
- Information on the benefits programs and rules around work
- Tips for success for your individual situation
- Answers to frequently asked questions
- Videos about SSI, SSDI, and more
Visit DB101 to find out more.
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