Casey Blazes a Trail for Other Deaf Students

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Casey Blazes a Trail for Other Deaf Students

Photo of young woman in scrubs with a laptop device and stethoscope Quote: My ultimate goal is to be a Deaf nurse practitioner

Casey King started working with Kelsey Saltzman, Opportunities for Ohioans with Disabilities (OOD) Vocational Rehabilitation Counselor, in February of 2018 as a transition student at Bexley High School. Casey, who is Deaf, was diagnosed with bilateral sensorineural hearing loss at 18-months old.

"I am a total communicator, said Casey. "This means I use all methods of communication, with my primary method being signing, lipreading, and talking."

OOD provided Casey with interpreting services, and Kelsey helped prepare Casey for college after her May 2018 graduation. Casey is now a third-year nursing student at Capital University with a minor in math. OOD has provided vital tools that assist her in class and as she takes steps toward her career.

Casey has received a digital stethoscope that connects via Bluetooth to her cochlear implant and an iPad with preloaded PowerPoint presentations. The iPad allows her to access class lectures and take notes directly on the device. Having class notes available allows Casey to concentrate on what her interpreter is saying instead of copying the written notes from the screen.

After her first two years at Capital University, Kelsey arranged for a meeting with their Accessibility Services to see what additional accommodations were possible. Supportive and committed to meeting any accommodation Casey needed, the staff even agreed to add diversity and inclusion training to the nursing program's curriculum.

Mary Hart of MJT Engineering conducted a rehabilitation technology evaluation for Casey. Mary recommended new assistive technology to help Casey succeed when working in a medical setting. The UbiDuo 3 Wireless is a face-to-face communication technology device with two keyboards and screens that supports real-time conversations. This device is helpful when Casey interacts with others without an interpreter.

Casey has also worked with Zac Simmons, OOD Internal Job Developer. Zac helped Casey search for work, identify employers, and determine what each employer was looking for in an employee. "As we went through the applications, we discussed each scenario and appropriate follow-up so organizations could see what a standout person Casey was," Zac said.

They also reviewed what reasonable accommodations could look like in a work setting, how accommodations could be implemented and rehearsed how to discuss accommodations with an employer. Casey quickly became comfortable navigating the process.

Zac and Casey identified a student nursing assistant position at The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center East Hospital. Casey is working part-time as she continues classes and her clinicals. She is on track to graduate in spring 2023.

"Casey is an advocate and is making a difference for others with disabilities who want to work in nursing," said Kelsey. "She is truly the most driven person I have ever met, maintaining a chaotic schedule and managing it all with ease. I am so inspired by all she has accomplished so far."

"It is not easy being a trailblazer (as the first Deaf student in the nursing program), but it is easier when I have someone to support me like Kelsey," said Casey. "My ultimate goal is to be a Deaf nurse practitioner, in a Deaf-populated area, so that Deaf people will not have any communication barriers."

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 of young man looking at computer screen with text: In December 2021 we helped 478 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.

Get Vaccinated Ohio

Much like wearing a mask, social distancing, and handwashing, getting COVID-19 vaccines and flu shots provide a layer of protection for you, vulnerable loved ones, and your community.

For trusted information on coronavirus (COVID-19) in Ohio, visit coronavirus.ohio.gov or call 1-833-4-ASK-ODH (1-833-427-5634).

All About Accessibility: Preventing Blindness and Preserving Sight

January is National Glaucoma Awareness Month, a time to spread the word about this sight-stealing disease with no symptoms. According to the Glaucoma Research Foundation, more than three million people in the United States have glaucoma, and the National Eye Institute projects this number will reach 4.2 million by 2030. Glaucoma is the leading cause of irreversible blindness.

Prevent Blindness, Ohio Affiliate, founded in 1957, is Ohio’s leading volunteer, nonprofit public health organization dedicated to preventing blindness and preserving sight. The group offers a variety of adult and children vision programs and resources, including vision screening training programs. For more information, visit Ohio.PreventBlindness.org, email info@pbohio.org, or call 800-301-2020.

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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.