Celebrating BE Operator Jeannie Snyder’s 40 Years of Service

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Celebrating BE Operator Jeannie Snyder’s 40 Years of Service

Photo of two women near a cash register Text: "I would recommend the Business Enterprise program to anyone who is blind and considering it."

Jeannie Snyder (left) pictured with Business Enterprise Consultant Lynnette Hustwick (right) at her shop in Toledo’s One Government Center.

Jeannie Snyder is a small business owner who can recognize customers by voice and purchases. Her customers enjoy her shop because she remembers important details about their lives. For nearly 40 years, she has been enticing patrons with a snack or a daily special to accompany their coffee.

Jeannie, a Business Enterprise (BE) Operator, first learned about the BE Program through a presentation at the Sight Center of Northwest Ohio in 1982. The BE Program enables Ohioans who are legally blind to have entrepreneurial careers in food service management. Licensed operators operate and manage cafeterias, convenience stores, snack bars, and vending in state and federal buildings, highway rest areas, and state colleges and universities, where they have priority under the Randolph-Sheppard Act and the Ohio Revised Code.

At age 14, Jeannie lost her sight when diagnosed with retinitis pigmentosa (RP). This genetic disorder involves the breakdown and loss of cells in the retina, the light-sensitive tissue that lines the back of the eye. RP has also affected other members of Jeannie’s family.

“At first, I didn’t want to do it (BE). I thought people would feel sorry for me all the time,” explained Jeannie. However, after seeing how the program worked, Jeannie began operating a store at the US Court of Customs, where she remained until 2007 when she transferred her operation to One Government Center.

With four part-time employees, Jeannie’s shop offers freshly made soup, salads, sandwiches, and pizza. She also manages vending machines on the 13th floor of the building. “I love knowing people in the community because of my business. I have customers from all areas of government,” Jeannie shared.

Jeannie’s shop was closed from March 2020 to September 2021 due to COVID-19. The BE Program used the time to complete upgrades and ensure adherence to continued health and safety standards.

“Jeannie is unassuming and customer-oriented, and she does not let her disability define her,” said Lynnette Hustwick, BE Consultant. “We are excited she has reopened her doors and is back doing what she loves.”

This spring, Jeannie will be recognized for 40 years of service to the BE Program. “I would recommend the Business Enterprise Program to anyone who is blind and considering it. I love being back with my customers,” she said.

If you would like to learn more, visit the BE Program for more information. If you have questions, please contact Christy Hauck at 614-312-1271 or Christine.Hauck@ood.ohio.gov.

Employment Support for Ohioans Who are Court-Involved and Have Disabilities

Graphic: Test: 79 Ohioans completed the OOD Jobs for Recovery Program in 2021; photos of 3 Ohioans

Ohio Governor Mike DeWine’s Executive Budget for fiscal years 2022-2023 expands OOD Jobs for Recovery, assisting Ohioans with disabilities who are court-involved find and keep a job. Consistent employment helps Ohioans in recovery stay on a positive path, increase their independence and income, and engage meaningfully in the community.

The OOD Jobs for Recovery expansion to the Youngstown Municipal Court was recently featured by WKBN.

In 2021, a total of 79 Ohioans successfully completed the OOD Jobs for Recovery Program, working through their recovery and finding employment. OOD staff are active members of drug court teams and help individuals with substance use disorders and/or mental health disabilities with work. These staff attend court proceedings and ensure rapid engagement of each participant in career counseling, job placement, and retention services. They also can help address employment barriers, such as transportation.

Earlier this month, the OOD Bureau of Vocational Rehabilitation hosted a virtual OOD Jobs for Recovery year-end review that included representatives from participating courts’ specialized dockets, the Ohio Department of Mental Health and Addiction Services, the Supreme Court of Ohio, and RecoveryOhio. The meeting featured success stories, progress to date, and best practices.

Learn more about OOD Jobs for Recovery.

Intel Chooses Ohio

Last week, Governor Mike DeWine and Lt. Governor Jon Husted joined JobsOhio, One Columbus, and several local, state, and federal leaders to announce that leading global semiconductor manufacturer Intel Corporation has chosen a site in Central Ohio’s Licking County as the future home for its most advanced semiconductor manufacturing facilities in the world. Intel plans to invest more than $20 billion to build two state-of-the-art factories by 2025, designed for what the company calls the “Angstrom era” — with materials processed on the atomic level — and with support for Intel’s most advanced process technologies, resulting in an increased American share of the global semiconductor supply chain. Read the announcement.

The megaproject, which will be the largest single private sector company investment in Ohio’s history, will generate more than 20,000 jobs in the state, including 3,000 direct Intel jobs earning an average of $135,000 per year (plus benefits), 7,000 construction jobs over the course of the build, and tens of thousands of additional indirect and support jobs including contracted positions, electricians, engineers, and jobs in restaurants, healthcare, housing, entertainment and more. The project is expected to add $2.8 billion to Ohio’s annual gross state product.

As explained on Intel’s Accessibility Technologies webpage, “Intel is committed to a culture of accessibility. We encourage every employee to be bold and fearlessly focused on going beyond what they thought possible. Individuals with disabilities add significant value to our workforce and economy. Intel believes that, in order to shape the future of technology, we must be representative of that future.”

All About Accessibility: Disability Information and Access Line

Disability Information and Access Line graphic 888-677-1199 or email DIAL@usaginganddisability.org for vaccine information

The Disability Information and Access Line (DIAL) is available to help people with disabilities get vaccinated and access COVID-19 tests. The DIAL's trained staff is standing by to:

Help find local vaccination locations
Assist with making vaccination appointments
Connect to available testing options, including help with ordering free at-home test kits through the program announced by the White House on January 14
Refer callers to local services – such as accessible transportation – to overcome barriers to vaccination and testing

Call 888-677-1199 Monday-Friday from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. or email DIAL@UsagingAndDisability.org.

The hotline also can provide information and resources to answer questions and address concerns about the vaccines and can connect callers to information and services that promote independent living and address fundamental needs, such as food, housing, and transportation.

Individuals who are Deaf or hard of hearing can reach DIAL using the 711/Video Relay Service. To use this free service, simply dial 711 and you will be connected with a communications assistant with whom you can text. The DIAL information specialists are trained to work with people of various communications abilities, including spending as much time as needed to understand what they are saying.

Learn more at acl.gov/DIAL.

In the News

Grant to Help Disabled People Get Vaccine

The Delaware Gazette, 1-28-22

Metroparks Toledo Receives Grant to Make Programs More Accessible

WTVG, 1-27-22

Special Penguin Inspires Kids with Disabilities

WLWT, 1-27-22

Ability Center's College Scholarship for Students with Disabilities Open for Applicants

The Toledo Blade, 1-26-22

My Disabled Life is Worthy (Commentary)

Ohio Capital Journal, 1-26-22

Dance Company Offers Equal Access to the Art Form

Spectrum News, 1-26-22

RallyCap Sports Hosts Activities for Children with Disabilities

The Lantern, 1-26-22

The Travelers You Won't Find at Airports: Omicron has Impeded Travel for People with Disabilities

USA Today, 1-26-22

"Why Not Us?" Coffee Shop Sells Bengals Gear to Help Employ People with Disabilities

WKRC, 1-25-22

Adaptive Sports Connection Provides Equipment for People with Physical and Cognitive Disabilities

Columbus CEO, 1-25-22

Butler Signs onto App to Help the Blind

Tribune Chronicle, 1-24-22

Wheelchair Hoops Team Makes Home Debut

Xenia Daily Gazette, 1-24-22

Testing Room Serves Students with Disabilities

Cedarville News, 1-24-22

Crosswalks in New York to Become Safer for People With Vision Disabilities

Forbes, 1-24-22

Court Program Helps Individuals with Developmental Disabilities

Spectrum News, 1-23-22

Beavercreek’s Newly-Formed Wheelchair Basketball Team Plays First Home Game

Dayton Daily News, 1-23-22

Apple TV's CODA & 5 Other Movies With Deaf & Hard of Hearing Characters

MovieWeb. 1-23-22

Goodwill Industries Expands Employment

The Business Journal, 1-22-22

“SignTasTic!,” Game Show Featuring Sign Language, Filming in Pittsburgh

Trib Live, 1-21-22

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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.