Destiny with her mother Carolyn, her biggest advocate.
Inspired by her brother, Destiny Lee has always wanted to work in a cafeteria or restaurant. She wasn’t letting any limitations or challenges related to Down syndrome get in the way of fulfilling her dream.
During Destiny’s freshman year at the Stivers School for the Arts, Destiny and her mom Carolyn attended a presentation about Opportunities for Ohioans with Disabilities (OOD) and the Ohio Transition Support Partnership (OTSP). They met with Lois Mescher, OOD Senior Vocational Rehabilitation Counselor, to help Destiny find work-related skills and experience. OTSP is a partnership between OOD and the Ohio Department of Education to connect students with disabilities with OOD counselors who provide individualized transition services.
After graduating from Stivers School for the Arts in 2020, Suman Medirrata, Stivers School for the Arts Liaison, and Lois worked with Destiny to participate in the Adult Transition Unit with Dayton Public Schools.
After gaining work experience at three different job sites, Destiny completed the unit in March 2021 and was ready for a competitive job in the community. Destiny and her mom chose to work with Pam McCuistion, a job developer with Goodwill Easter Seals Miami Valley where Destiny began job development services. Pam helped Destiny with interview skills and attended interviews with her. Destiny was on her way to being successful.
In September 2021, OOD Employer Partner The University of Dayton (UD), Virginia Kettering Dining Hall was hiring. Pam helped Destiny apply for the job and drove her to the interview. A couple of hours later, Destiny was called with a job offer.
With support from Andrew Pasquale, a job coach with Goodwill Easter Seals Miami ValleyDestiny gained tools and the skills to succeed at her job. Together they created boards to help keep up with orders, laminated a chart to keep track of stock, and set watch timers to help with work-related time management.
“Destiny has a great personality, is a hard worker, and I couldn’t ask for a better employee,” said Joe McClanahan, General Manager. “The team members really appreciate her being here.”
“I was so excited to get hired because this was the type of job I’ve always dreamed of,” said Destiny. “I love my job.”
Carolyn shared, “Sometimes people underestimate special needs kids, but if you give them a chance at a job or task, they can do it. I appreciate everyone who has worked with my daughter over the years.”
“Working with Destiny has been an excellent example of collaboration between Destiny, her mom Carolyn, Dayton Public Schools, Goodwill, and the Montgomery County Board of Developmental Disabilities,” said Lois. “Destiny is motivated, has a strong work ethic, is pleasant, and respectful. It has been my pleasure to work with Destiny and her team.”
For more information about OTSP, visit the OOD Students 14+ webpage.
If you or somebody you know has a disability and would like to work, visit OODWorks.com to apply for services or call 800-282-4536.
Teacher Appreciation Week is May 2-6, 2022, and all of us at OOD would like to express a very special thanks to all educators for their part in educating students.
Providing students with disabilities the tools and resources to help them succeed is important. Here at OOD, staff like Andrew Ellis is doing just that. Andrew collaborates with families and partners with schools and other organizations to help individuals achieve their next steps, whether a career opportunity or continued education. Watch a video of Andrew stressing the importance of collaboration.
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.
Left to right: Michael Hoag, OOD Business Relations Specialist; Ron Klonowski, OOD Business Relations Specialist; Michelle Rinehart, OOD Employer Services Manager; Marc Manheim, OOD East-Central Area Manager, Lisa Gould, Senior Vice President of Human Resources at the Hall of Fame Resort & Entertainment Company; Kristen Ballinger, OOD Deputy Director of the Division of Employer and Innovation Services; Kris Wray, OOD Career Development Specialist; Kevin Miller, OOD Director, Cynthia Dyer, OOD Vocational Rehabilitation Supervisor; and Brent Hilliard, OOD Vocational Rehabilitation Supervisor.
In recognition of In-Demand Jobs Week, OOD Director Kevin Miller and staff toured the Pro Football Hall of Fame Village in Canton on May 3, 2022 to learn about job opportunities for OOD participants.
Staff heard from Lisa Gould, Senior Vice President of Human Resources, and John Regas, Vice President of Marketing and Partnerships, both with the Hall of Fame Resort & Entertainment Company. As a leading sports, entertainment, and media enterprise, and partner with the Pro Football Hall of Fame, the business is expanding and offers the potential of diverse employment opportunities in retail, hospitality, food service, maintenance, and more.
Director Miller expressed his appreciation for the Hall of Fame Resort & Entertainment Company’s commitment to being an inclusive employer.
If you are interested in becoming an OOD Employer Partner, please reach out to one of the OOD Business Relations Specialists.
Thursday, May 19, 2022 from 10 - 11 a.m.
OOD is pleased to offer this final webinar in our five-part series – Inclusive Employer Handbook. Session 5: Accessibility Hour will include an overview of the first four sessions and share examples of best practices from inclusive employers. Special guests from Cleveland Clinic, the winner of the 2021 Governor’s Inclusive Employer Award, will join us to answer your live questions.
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 May 12, 2022 at Chris.Glover@ood.ohio.gov.
This program has been approved for 1.00 HR (General) recertification credit hour toward aPHR™, aPHRi™, PHR®, PHRca®, SPHR®, GPHR®, PHRi™, and SPHRi™ recertification through HR Certification Institute® (HRCI®) and 1.00 SHRM Professional Development Credit (PDC) hour toward SHRM-CP® or SHRM-SCP®.
Happy Mother's Day to all moms, everywhere, for everything you do!
Published in September 2021, the book “Demystifying Disability” by Emily Ladau provides an approachable guide to being a thoughtful, informed ally to people with disabilities, with actionable steps for what to say and do (and what not to do) and how you can help make the world a more inclusive place. Topics include:
- How to appropriately think, talk, and ask about disability
- Recognizing and avoiding ableism (discrimination toward disabled people)
- Practicing good disability etiquette
- Ensuring accessibility as a standard practice, from everyday communication to planning special events
- Appreciating disability history and identity
- Identifying and speaking up about disability stereotypes in media
To listen to an interview with Emily, click here.
Bengals Legend Visits Students Who Raised Money for Local Nonprofit
Spectrum News, 5-5-22
Teen With Cerebral Palsy Writes, Produces Powerful Song to Inspire Others
WBNS, 5-5-22
Canfield Seated Athlete Winning On and Off the Track
WFMJ, 5-5-22
CDE to Hold COVID-19 Vaccine Clinics
The Delaware Gazette, 5-5-22
New Ohio Telemedicine Program for Those with Disabilities
WTVG, 5-4-22
Cuyahoga County Announces New “Connection Center” to Help Aging Residents, Adults with Disabilities
Cleveland.com, 5-4-22
Incredible New Glasses Help Blind People Read and Recognize Faces
Yahoo.com, 5-4-22
Office of Disability Services Honors Scholarship Recipients at Annual Banquet Wright State University News Room, 5-3-22
Zoo Animals to Trampolines: Akron-Canton Area Offers Sensory-Friendly Experiences
The Canton Repository, 5-1-22
Social Media Influencer Biking Across Ohio, Stops in Miami Valley
WDTN, 5-1-22
Chagrin Falls CrossFit Expands Offerings to Those with Disabilities
Cleveland Jewish News, 5-2-22
ODNR Holds Spring Events for Hunters With Disabilities
WFIN, 5-1-22
Volunteers and Mentors Help Sibling Caregivers Navigate Responsibilities
WCPO, 4-29-22
|