Matthew Thomas Gains Independent Living Skills

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Matthew Thomas Gains Independent Living Skills

Photo of young man in Wendy's hat and shirt in front of a window

Matthew Thomas prepares for a new day at his job as a lobby attendant and kitchen assistant at Wendy’s in New Albany, Ohio.

Matthew Thomas began working with Opportunities for Ohioans with Disabilities (OOD) Vocational Rehabilitation Counselor Kelsey Saltzman in October 2017 as a transition student at New Albany High School.

Matthew, who has Down syndrome, took part in OOD’s Summer Youth Work Experience in 2018 at Lifetime Fitness and in 2019 at Parkside Village Nursing Care, where he was responsible for cleaning.

Matthew completed all his diploma requirements in May of 2020; but opted to defer graduation to participate in campus-based transition programs at Columbus State Community College and The Ohio State University, coordinated through the Educational Service Center of Central Ohio. During this time, Matthew participated in classroom work and internships to further explore, develop, and build his readiness skills for competitive employment and independent living.

With a strong desire to work in the community, Matthew selected the vocational rehabilitation provider Food for Good Thought to find a part-time job that was right for him. In May 2021, Matthew began working at Wendy’s in New Albany, supported by job coach Molly Schell. Molly helped Matthew learn his duties as a lobby attendant and kitchen assistant.

“I worked with Matthew on organizational, food preparation, and stocking skills and witnessed a lot of growth,” said Molly. “Matthew is an incredibly hard worker with great endurance, who inspires everyone around him. He already excelled in his practiced interpersonal skills with his beloved customers and coworkers, which demonstrates how much he loves people.”

The manager at Wendy’s expanded Matthew’s responsibilities, and he helps cooks in the kitchen. While a job coach was ready to help Matthew learn his new role, he handled new tasks independently.

"Many students can’t keep up the pace in fast-food jobs, but Matthew has outshined them all,” said Kelsey.

Matthew works 20-25 hours a week to balance transitional programming, which he will continue until the spring of 2023. Matthew will then graduate with a diploma and an OhioMeansJobs-Readiness Seal, formally designating his strengths, strong work ethic, and professional experience.

“We have been very blessed with Matthew and his journey so far. We could not have asked for better teachers, aids, and coaches,” said Amy, Matthew’s mom. “He has been very excited about his transition from high school to college and work and has become much more independent. He is looking forward to someday moving out of the house and living with friends.”

When asked what he liked most about his job and working, Matthew explained, “I love cooking, and I love sitting down to a free meal at the end of my shift. I am also excited about working because I am saving for a new cell phone.”

If you or somebody you know has a disability and would like to work, visit OODWorks.com or call 800-282-4536.

OOD Assists Job Seekers

Photo graphic image of two men sitting at a desk looking at a computer screen. TExt: In November we helped 450 people reach employment goal

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.

OOD Council Meets January 12

Photo of OOD Council Meeting taken from the back of the room

The OOD Council meeting on November 17, 2021.

The OOD Council will conduct an in-person meeting for OOD Council members and a virtual meeting for the public on January 12, 2022 at 10:00 a.m. Find the link to join at the OOD Council meetings webpage.

Public comments or correspondence should be submitted to OOD.OfficeofCommunication@OOD.Ohio.Gov by the close of business on Friday, January 7, 2022.

All About Accessibility: Starting a Business

Graphic Text: Ohio Business Road Map over photo of highway

Ohio Secretary of State Frank LaRose offers helpful steps and resources for starting a business in Ohio. Visit the “Starting a Business” webpage, and check out a new video in English and Spanish.

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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) 2021, OOD received $105,851,903 in federal funds. Funds appropriated by the State covered 21.3 % of the total costs, or $28,648,609. Of these federal funds, $15,877,785 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 2021, OOD received $299,041 for SE Youth with a Disability, and State appropriated funds paid the remaining 10%, or $32,933 of the total costs. In FFY 2021, OOD received $335,518 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 2021 paid 90% of the total costs incurred under the program. In FFY 2021, OOD received $1,139,118 in federal grant funds. Funds appropriated by the State paid over the 10% required match, or $126,568 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 2021. In FFY 2021, OOD received $638,013 in federal grant funds. Funds appropriated by the State paid over the 10% of the match required or $70,268 of the total costs incurred under the IL Program.