College Student Alicia Supported to Achieve Her Goals

Opportunities for Ohioans with Disabilities sent this bulletin at 02/11/2022 09:59 AM EST

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College Student Alicia Supported to Achieve Her Goals

Alicia Herman is a current law student at The Ohio State University (OSU) and has received services from Opportunities for Ohioans with Disabilities (OOD) since her undergraduate years at Youngstown State University.

She works with Ohio College2Careers (Ohio C2C) counselor Cyndi Mignone at OSU, receiving career support and assistive technology for her visual disability. Watch a video about Alicia’s story to learn more.

OOD offers Ohio C2C at 17 colleges and universities in Ohio to ensure students with disabilities have the support they need to complete their degree and/or credential, earn higher wages, and meet the demands of tomorrow’s labor market. Dedicated vocational rehabilitation counselors assist students with disabilities with career exploration and counseling, assistive technology, resume and interview preparation, job placement, and much more. OOD Career Development Specialists connect college students with disabilities to internship and permanent employment opportunities.

OOD Vocational Rehabilitation Counselors also work with students with disabilities at any college and university in Ohio. To get started, students can visit OODWorks.com to explore vocational rehabilitation, take a self-assessment, and apply for services.

For more information about Ohio C2C, visit the webpage, or contact Kristin Garrett at (614) 955-1527 or Kristin.Garrett@ood.ohio.gov.

OOD Assists Job Seekers

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.

Combined State Plan Two-Year Modification Released for Public Comment

photo of a laptop and printed charts beside it

Every four years, various Ohio state agencies and stakeholders collaborate to create a Combined State Plan to better align the state’s largest workforce programs to better connect businesses to qualified workers. The federal Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA) requires that states review their plan every two years and update State Plan strategies based on changes in the labor market and economic conditions or other factors affecting the implementation of the State Plan.

Ohio has released the draft of its Combined State Plan two-year modification for a 30-day public comment period. The plan covers the time period July 1, 2020 through June 30, 2024, with updates for the following programs:

Title I of WIOA, which funds county OhioMeansJobs Centers and job training and job search assistance programs for adults, dislocated workers, and low-income youth
The Wagner-Peyser Act Program, which funds a variety of employment services to connect job seekers and employers
Adult Basic and Literacy Education, which funds GED preparation, adult math, reading, and literacy courses
OOD’s Vocational Rehabilitation programs for individuals with disabilities
Carl D. Perkins Career and Technical Education, which provides funding for career technical training for secondary and post-secondary students
Senior Community Service Employment Program, which is a community service and work-based job training program for older Ohioans
Jobs for Veterans State Grants Programs, which helps veterans find jobs through employment services at local OhioMeansJobs Centers

To view the draft plan or offer comment, please visit jfs.ohio.gov/owd/Initiatives/State-Plan-Home.stm. The online portal will be open to public comment until 5 p.m. on March 5, 2022.

Black History Month: Thomas Greene Wiggins

Thomas Greene Wiggins was born on May 25, 1849 on a Georgia plantation. Blind from birth and born into slavery, Wiggins became a renowned pianist and composer. Many historians believe that Wiggins was likely on the autism spectrum as well.

Fascinated by music and other sounds, Wiggins could pick out tunes on the piano by the age of four. Because he was blind, Wiggins could not perform work normally demanded of slaves. Instead, he was able to pursue his interest in music. At eight years old, he made his concert debut performing in Atlanta, Georgia. At just ten years old, Wiggins was the first African American performer to play at the White House when he gave a concert for President James Buchanan.

In 1860, two of Wiggins’ piano pieces, Oliver Galop and Virginia Polka, were published. He continued to perform at concerts throughout the United States and Europe.

Wiggins’ extraordinary music has inspired lovers of music worldwide, including Elton John, who composed The Ballad of Blind Tom in his honor.

All About Accessibility: Accessible Roadtrips

Photo taken from inside a car through the windshield of road ahead with mountains in the distance

Road trips are a fun way to see historic sites, experience natural beauty, and connect with friends and family. Roadtrippers Magazine published an article on planning an accessible family road trip. A parent of a wheelchair user explains the ups and downs of roadtripping with accessibility as the main priority.

In the News

Disability Inclusion Programs Help Warehouses Hire Overlooked Talent

Supply Chain Dive, 2-8-22

From Dentist Chairs to Mini City: New Fairlawn Center Aims to Help Kids with Autism Thrive

Akron Beacon Journal, 2-11-22

Statewide Disabilities Council to Host DD Awareness & Advocacy Day

The Highland County Press, 2-9-22

Valley Organization Providing Employment Opportunities for People with Disabilities

WKBN, 2-9-22

Autism Employment Strategies in 2022: Coffee is for Closers

Forbes, 2-9-22

Troy Kotsur Makes History as the First Deaf Actor to Get a Nomination

The New York Times, 2-8-22

Video Games Help Individuals with Disabilities Explore the Outdoors

ThomasNet.com, 2-8-22

COVID Tests May Be More Available, But They’re Far From Accessible

Fast Company, 2-8-22

BG Transit Offers Half-Priced Fares for Riders Who are Elderly or Have Disabilities

BG Independent News, 2-7-22

Special Olympics Fundraiser Draws Community Together

Star Beacon, 2-7-22

“The Pandemic has Not Been Very Good to Me”: People with Disabilities Feel Forgotten

The Columbus Dispatch, 2-6-22

Clark State, The Abilities Connection Partner to Offer Training to Fresh Abilities Employees

Springfield News-Sun, 2-6-22

Commentary: Support Staff for Those with Developmental Disabilities Deserve Better Pay

Canton Repository, 2-6-22

Man Who is Legally Blind Says the Snow Presents Challenges for All of Us, but Try Walking a Mile in His Shoes

WOIO, 2-5-22

Fulfilling Our Commitment to Accessibility and Inclusion

Microsoft Industry Blogs, 2-3-22

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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.