 Assistive technology has the power to open opportunities and level the playing field for people with disabilities. Used by individuals with disabilities to perform functions that might otherwise be difficult or impossible, assistive technology can include mobility devices such as walkers and wheelchairs, as well as hardware, software, and tools that assist people with disabilities in accessing computers or other information technologies.
For Jill Hofbauer of Sylvania, assistive technology has made all the difference. Jill has progressive vision loss caused by Stargardt disease. With support from Dawn Coleman, Senior Vocational Rehabilitation Counselor, Jill received an evaluation to determine what types of low vision equipment and training would help with her goals.
Dawn connected Jill with Tiehan Liu, Ph.D., with Ohio Job Connection, and the Sight Center of Northwest Ohio. They provided computer access training and equipment especially geared for her needs. Some of the items she received included a large computer monitor, ZoomText Fusion software (a combination magnifier/screen reader), a large print keyboard, a portable magnifier, and VictorReader Stream (to access book and media as well as to record voice notes). Jill also received training and equipment (magnifier, task light, eyepatch, and more) to help with tasks at home.
Additional support helped Jill prepare for work. She received work incentives planning and counseling services to understand scenarios with paycheck earnings and the impact on her Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI). Jill selected Partners in Employment, Inc. as her provider, and they helped her with finding and tapping employment opportunities.
As featured by ArTMAtters publication, Jill was selected to lead a touch tour at the Toledo Museum of Art to kick off their initiative to be more inclusive. This led to Jill being hired on at the museum as a Visitor Experience Team Member for special exhibits.
Once on the job, Dr. Liu provided Jill with on-site training, and she was provided with equipment and software to help her succeed.
Jill explained, “OOD has made it possible for me to be a productive member in the workplace by providing products and services that would have otherwise been out of my financial limits to acquire.”
If you or somebody you know has a disability and would like to work, visit OODWorks.com or call 800-282-4536.
April 6, 2022 was Assistive Technology Awareness Day. Assistive technology helps individuals with disabilities succeed through creative solutions for health, safety, and greater independence.
Assistive Technology of Ohio is a federally-funded nonprofit organization that is part of the College of Engineering at The Ohio State University. Their mission is to help Ohioans with disabilities learn about or acquire assistive technology: devices, equipment, or services that assist individuals with disabilities in functioning independently in the areas of work, home, or school. Learn more at ATOhio.org.
Left to right: Steve Sandy, Governor Mike DeWine, Jane Allinder (Interpreter), Marlena Smith (Interpreter), and OOD Director Kevin Miller.
On April 5, 2022, Ohio Governor Mike DeWine gave the keynote address at the William Hoy Marker Dedication Ceremony in Findlay, which took place during Ohio Deaf History Month.
William Hoy was born in Houcktown, Ohio in 1862. After contracting spinal meningitis as a toddler, he became Deaf. He went on to be hailed as one of baseball’s all-time greats. Notably, he had a .292 career batting average, made 2,057 total hits, and scored 1,419 runs. In 1888, he led the league with 82 stolen bases as a player for the Washington Senators.
OOD Director Kevin Miller was on hand, and along with Governor DeWine, they learned more about Hoy’s achievements from Hoy historian Steve Sandy.
“Hoy didn’t get to speak for himself,” Steve explained. “I get to be his voice now.”
Steve, who is himself Deaf, has collected thousands of Hoy artifacts and has served as an expert for four documentaries and multiple books. To watch a video of Steve explaining Hoy’s history, click here. To watch a video from Hometown Stations about the Dedication, click here.
 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.
 Thursday, April 21, 2022 from 10 - 11 a.m.
OOD is pleased to offer this five-part webinar series – Inclusive Employer Handbook. Session 4 focuses on best practices for creating an accessible hiring process and workplace and ways to provide accessibility for all employees.
Please respond here to let us know you're attending. This will assist us in making sure we are sharing any updates, attachments, and resources before and after the event. The training will take place as a Microsoft Teams Live Event. You can view the training through your web browser, and you do not need to have Microsoft Teams to participate. Click here to join the training.
Click here to download this event to your calendar.
OOD is committed to providing access and reasonable accommodation in its services, activities, and programs in accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act and other applicable laws. To request an accommodation based on a disability, please contact Chris Glover by April 14, 2022 at Chris.Glover@ood.ohio.gov.
The final session in the series, "Accessibility Hour," will be held on Thursday, May 19, 2022 from 10 - 11 a.m.
This program has been approved for 1.00 HR (General) recertification credit hour toward aPHR™, aPHRi™, PHR®, PHRca®, SPHR®, GPHR®, PHRi™, and SPHRi™ re-certification through HR Certification Institute® (HRCI®) and 1.00 SHRM Professional Development Credit (PDC) hour toward SHRM-CP® or SHRM-SCP®.
The fifth annual In-Demand Jobs Week is May 2-6, 2022! In-Demand Jobs Week is the statewide celebration of the jobs, industries, and skills that are in-demand in Ohio. This year, In-Demand Jobs Week will highlight Ohio’s top jobs that pay more than $50,000 per year and don’t require a degree or years of training – just a credential.
Business, education, and community leaders statewide are encouraged to partner to plan events promoting all opportunities in Ohio, job-readiness, and more to inspire excitement and awareness among students and job seekers.
Organizations can add their event to the statewide interactive event map by emailing In-DemandJobs@JFS.Ohio.Gov with the event title, date, time, and a short description of the event.
To learn more about In-Demand Jobs Week and to view the statewide interactive event map, visit TopJobs.Ohio.Gov. With any questions, please email In-DemandJobs@JFS.Ohio.Gov.
 Celebrate National Social Security Month – See what you can do with a my Social Security Account. Visit www.ssa.gov/myaccount.
Happy spring! The OOD Works e-Newsletter will return on Friday, April 22. Stay tuned!
Historical Marker Dedicated for Major League Baseball Player in Hancock County
Hometown Stations, 4-5-22
Northwest Ohio City Unveils Historic Marker in Honor of Deaf Baseball Player
WBNS, 4-6-22
Houcktown Son Honored with Historical Marker
The Courier, 4-6-22
Signs of Hoy's Good Times
The Courier, 4-6-22
Houcktown’s William Hoy Honored with Ohio Historical Marker
WFIN, 4-5-22
Autism Awareness Month Shifting to Autism Acceptance Month
WBNS, 4-7-22
One Designer’s Quest to Demystify Life on the Autism Spectrum
Fast Company, 4-5-22
Tommy and Dee Hilfiger Share Advice on Raising Kids on the Autism Spectrum
Good Morning America, 4-5-22
"Superhero Project" Has Reached More Than 900 Families of Children with Disabilities and Illnesses
IdeaStream Public Media, 4-5-22
Newest “Sesame Street” Muppet Teaches Kids About Differently-Abled Bodies
WEWS, 4-5-22
Deaf Engineers at Snapchat Unveil New Tech to Translate, Teach ASL
Today, 4-5-22
Power, Privilege, and Love in a Residential School for Deaf Students
Electric Literature, 4-5-22
Open Arms Provides Opportunity for Those with Developmental Disabilities
Richland Source, 4-4-22
Dayton Woman Hopes to Give Children with Autism a Chance with New Business
WHIO, 4-3-22
Autism Acceptance Month is Underway - Here's Why the Name is Important
USA Today, 4-2-22
She's the Child of a Deaf Adult, He's Mixed Race - Together They Create Music Addressing Ableism and Racism
CBC, 4-1-22
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