Brandon Rises Above Pandemic Challenges

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Brandon Rises Above Pandemic Challenges

Photo of young man with quote "I like everything about my job."

Brandon Heil’s ambition and enthusiasm to work have continued through COVID-19, despite losing his previous job at the start of the pandemic. Along with receiving completely remote services through Opportunities for Ohioans with Disabilities (OOD), Brandon was referred to Ohio Valley Goodwill’s Employment Services team for job placement assistance by his OOD Vocational Rehabilitation Counselor (VRC), Katherine Staggs.

“I had a job coach help me out doing job searching and, being able to find a job, and filling out applications, and being able to help me get an interview,” Brandon explained. Within six months of starting services with OOD, Brandon landed a stable job at Dunham’s Sports, where he stocks and prices merchandise and provides customer service.

He said, “I like everything about [my job]. Helping the customers out, and checking them out at the register, and being able to help out with any question that they ask me.”

Katherine shared, “He was very excited to be working at a sporting goods store and has proven to be a valued member of their team, even working the register at times.”

Brandon’s main purpose for getting a job is making enough money to move out and live on his own. When he is not working, Brandon likes going to the movies, bowling, and playing video games. He also enjoys doing fun things with his girlfriend and his friends.

Watch Ohio Valley Goodwill’s video feature on Brandon.

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

Black History Month: Garrett Augustus Morgan

Graphic with photo of Garrett Augustus Morgan with text: Honors Black History Month

Garrett Augustus Morgan was born on March 4, 1877, in Paris, Kentucky. Garrett moved to Cincinnati, Ohio, where he hired a personal tutor and worked different jobs to support himself as a teenager.

In 1895, Garrett moved to Cleveland, Ohio. He took a position as a sewing machine repairman. Garrett saved enough money to begin his own sewing machine repair business twelve years later. Over the next several years, Garrett expanded his business interests to include a tailoring company, a personal-grooming products company, and the Cleveland Call newspaper.

Though he only had a sixth-grade education, Garrett had an exceptional ability to work with machines. Garrett’s tailoring business used machines that he designed. During the 1910s and 1920s, Garrett continued to invent new items primarily geared to improve health and safety.

Witnessing a crash between a car and a buggy, Garrett was inspired to create and patent a mechanical traffic signal (stoplight). He also developed and patented a safety hood for firefighters, filtering smoke outward and cooling inside air. During World War I, the device won accolades and was sold to the U.S. Navy and Army.

Garrett’s safety invention made headlines in 1916 when he used it to save workers in a collapsed tunnel under Lake Erie. However, despite Garrett’s bravery in being the first to enter the tunnel, Cleveland newspapers and city officials wrote him out of the story, praising others instead. Only later did the city recognize his contributions. Garrett died in 1963, upheld as a hero of the Lake Erie rescue and restored to his place in history.

All About Accessibility: Resources for People with Low Vision

February is Low Vision Awareness Month. Low vision refers to vision loss that eyeglasses, medicine, or surgery cannot correct. Low vision symptoms may include difficulty with reading, using a computer or tablet, writing, watching television, recognizing faces, seeing dials or other mechanical controls, seeing the board at the front of a classroom, shopping, and driving a car.

The American Academy of Ophthalmology has a webpage dedicated to resources and links for people with low vision. Categories include children, audiobooks and magazines, large print materials, technology, national organizations, vision rehabilitation self-help materials, and more. Visit www.aao.org/eye-health/diseases/low-vision-resources.

In the News

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Portsmouth Daily Times, 2-14-22

Kids with Autism Struggle to Adapt to Adulthood - One Doctor is Trying to Change That

National Public Radio, 2-12-22

Who are the Deaf Performers at the Super Bowl? Meet Warren “Wawa” Snipe and Sean Forbes

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“Everyone Deserves to Play”: Local Sled Hockey Team for Kids with Disabilities Hits the Ice

WKBN, 2-12-22

Portage DD Special Olympics Team Doesn't Slow Down During COVID-19 Pandemic

Record-Courier, 2-11-22

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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.