Nate Frazer has always been known as a people person. He knew before graduation that he wanted a job where he could interact with others.
While still attending Whiteoak High School in Mowrystown, Nate, who has Down syndrome and speech delays, was referred to Opportunities for Ohioans with Disabilities (OOD) by Special Education Coordinator Lisa Beresford. Working with OOD Vocational Rehabilitation Counselor Amy Bradford, Nate completed Pre-Employment Transition Services through the Highland County Board of Developmental Disabilities (HCBDD), focusing on job exploration, workplace readiness, and counseling on post-secondary options.
In 2019, Nate participated in the OOD Summer Youth Work Experience at the S & K Dairy Cup and a miniature golf course in Hillsboro. He was responsible for clean-up, landscaping, painting, and trash management.
Amy explained, “Nate is a hard worker and loves being around people. He was even elected as his school’s Homecoming King in 2019.”
Nate deferred his diploma to attend Laurel Oaks in Wilmington, Ohio, one of the four Great Oaks Career Campuses in Hamilton/Clinton counties. He took part in the CareerX classroom, a career exploration and employability skills program for students with special needs. He also received Job Seeking Skills Training from HCBDD Job Developer Jacob Alexander.
In March 2020, Nate graduated high school and began looking for a job with Jacob’s help. Nate set his sights on a job where he could work with people and was related to farming, another of his interests.
A position at Rural King looked like the perfect fit, and Nate started working there in January 2021. Capabilities, Inc. provided Job Coaches Taryn Goble and Anthony Cox, and they helped Nate thrive as a greeter, loader, and stocker.
Nate has become a local favorite at Rural King. Working up to 30 hours a week, customers often request Nate’s help to load their cars.
When asked what he enjoyed the most about his job, Nate replied, “I love the customers I get to meet and help and the people I work with at Rural King!” He shared that he likes making his own money and recently was able to buy himself a new pair of work boots.
If you or somebody you know has a disability and would like to work, visit OODWorks.com or call 800-282-4536.
Just moments after taking office, Governor Mike DeWine established Ohio as a Disability Inclusion State and Model Employer of Individuals with Disabilities. His commitment has continued, and this month, he highlights October as National Disability Employment Awareness Month. Watch the video.
 OOD Space Planners Bob Hanson and Randy Lewis deliver four pallets of computers to Eric Rathburn and Dr. Bill Darling of Assistive Technology of Ohio for their computer refurbishing program. Photo Credit: Carolyn Helman, Program Administrator 2, OOD Division of Fiscal Management, Facilities Unit.
Recently, OOD delivered 200 used computers to Assistive Technology of Ohio at The Ohio State University for their computer refurbishing program that benefits Ohioans with disabilities. The statewide program helps Ohioans with disabilities obtain a desktop or laptop computer for $60, including the cost of shipping.
OOD’s donation prevented the used computers from ending up in state salvage and will help bridge a technology divide for many with disabilities.
According to a 2021 Pew Research Center survey, only 62% of adults with a disability report owning a computer, compared with 81% of people without a disability.
Dr. Bill Darling, Executive Director of Assistive Technology of Ohio, explained, "This makes it very difficult, if not impossible, to compete out there, to succeed academically, or to get a job. We are so very grateful for the donation."
To apply, please call 866-801-7306 or visit ATOhio.org.
The Business Enterprise (BE) Program, housed within OOD’s Bureau of Services for the Visually Impaired, held its statewide training conference virtually on October 15, 2021. It was an opportunity for vendors and program staff to connect safely.
The BE Program provides entrepreneurial careers in vending services by licensed operators who are legally blind. The program currently has 88 licensed operators managing businesses in food service 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.
Annette Lutz, Chair of the Ohio Vendors Representative Committee (OVRC), welcomed conference attendees. She shared that OVRC is still working to overcome pandemic-related unemployment despite budget constraints.
Christy Hauck, BE Program Manager, was excited to report that August 2021 had the highest sales since the beginning of the pandemic. She stated that colleges and universities are starting to make a comeback and that sales at postal facilities and rest areas remain strong. Christy also touched on additional accomplishments for the BE Program in the last six months, including the quick distribution of the Randolph-Sheppard Financial Relief and Restoration Payments to 76 operators, vocational rehabilitation funding for new inventory, and the Office of Budget and Management approving additional funds to reimburse operators who lost inventory.
Debi Schwartz of Get SSA Help, LLC spoke to BE operators about the disability benefits they may receive through Social Security and provided guidance on navigating the process best. She invited BE operators to make private appointments to discuss their individual situations.
John Geiger of Cantaloupe, a credit card service provider used by most operators, introduced new features to include greater security and accessibility. Erin Schramm, also from Cantaloupe, provided technical support information and has agreed to set appointments with BE operators to better understand back-end reporting and optimize reporting setup.
Nicky Gacos and Terry Smith of the National Association of Blind Merchants discussed the current and future paths of the Randolph-Sheppard Act. The push to support small, local businesses during the pandemic has benefited businesses owned by people with disabilities, such as BE operators. Nicky shared his success of taking the lead in making connections with franchises who would benefit by utilizing space provided to him as a Randolph-Sheppard operator.
The conference concluded with a roundtable discussion led by Annette to allow operators to discuss additional topics.
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).
Located in Cincinnati, Mt. Airy Forest offers the state’s only Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) compliant treehouse, Everybody’s Treehouse, with raised shelters connected by wheelchair-friendly elevated boardwalks. Learn more from CincinnatiParks.com or read a story by WCPO.
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