 From left to right: Kimberly Duncan, Drew Ferguson, Coji Maddona, and Amy Davis.
Drew Ferguson of Andover, Ohio graduated four years ago. He began volunteering at age 12 in soup kitchens/food pantries, senior living, and community centers in Pittsburgh. He began working at age 16 in food service, trying out various positions in restaurants, delis, and campus cafeterias. After graduation, he hoped to work full-time but struggled to maintain a role with longer hours while managing to accommodate his challenges. As someone with multiple disabilities, including a sensory disability, food service and retail environments were often too hot, loud, and chaotic for Drew.
With the support of his mother, Christine Ference, Drew connected with Opportunities for Ohioans with Disabilities (OOD). Christine and Drew had learned about OOD from Drew’s behavioral health provider. They met virtually with Kimberly Duncan, OOD Vocational Rehabilitation Counselor.
In meeting with Kimberly, Drew set a goal of being able to endure the sensory overload of a typical working environment. Drew and his team decided that a job working 10-12 hours a week in a slower-paced atmosphere would be a good fit.
Next, Drew connected with Coji Maddona, a Vocational Specialist with the Matrix Companies, a vocational rehabilitation provider. A community-based assessment helped gauge Drew’s abilities and helped pinpoint practical solutions to overcome the challenges his disabilities present, such as an emergency kit of supplies. Along the way, he gained self-confidence and realized he did not have to fear being fired for making a mistake. He also learned how to handle triggers at work.
Thanks to a lead from his brother, Andrew met with the owner of Good Intentions Market & Café in Kinsman and landed a job. Coji helped him get acclimated on-site. Kimberly helped with work attire, a communications board for tracking work tasks, and safety practices.
Kimberly was confident in Drew’s abilities. “His face lights up your day, and he has impeccable manners,” she said.
“I have seen him come out of his shell and believe in himself,” said Coji. “Drew's success is due wholly to the fact that he wanted this for himself.”
When some family emergencies came up, Andrew took some time off work. With support from Kimberly, Andrew navigated communicating with his employer. He was able to return to work two and a half months later.
Amy Davis is the owner of Good Intentions Market & Café. She said, “Drew has been such a great addition to our business. The staff always looks forward to his smile, and he has such a great attitude! He fills a much-needed position and is a huge help and such a hard-working and dedicated employee. It's been a great fit for him at Good Intentions, and we’re looking forward to being a part of his growth in the future.”
Drew shared, “I like my coworkers because they are really nice and kind. If I ever have a problem or a question, I can go to anyone and ask for help. Ms. Amy is amazing because she has been so adapting, kind, and helpful toward me and my goals.”
Christine expressed appreciation for the team that has helped Drew adapt to everyday work experiences and meet his challenges. “Successful days at work have begun to secure his feelings of self-worth and self-esteem and help him look forward to a future where he is more able and self-sustaining for independent living,” she explained.
While steady on the job, Drew has also applied for services with the Ashtabula County Board of Developmental Disabilities for ongoing support. Today he has his temporary license and is working on getting his driver’s license. He is also saving to get his own apartment.
If you or somebody you know has a disability and would like to work, visit OODWorks.com or call 800-282-4536.
 Top photo: OOD staff greet and direct participants at the hiring event. Anne Lewis, Crystal Hoffman, James Minutilli, Sonya Hill, Michelle Rinehart, Stephanie Andrian, and Cynthia Crews. Bottom photos: Employers engage with hiring event participants.
The OOD Dayton office held a hiring event on June 15, 2022, hosted by The Job Center/Montgomery County OhioMeansJobs, for job seekers with disabilities. Five Employer Partners were on hand, including Meijer, Kroger, Cassano’s, Carespring, and Scott Family McDonald’s.
Cindy Frantz serves as Hiring Manager & Community Relations for Scott Family McDonald’s. With 15 stores in seven counties, Cindy shared that the business appreciates the dependability and work ethic of individuals with disabilities. The company partners with various schools, career centers, OOD, and other organizations. Cindy said, “We regularly hire, build, grow, and promote people with disabilities. We invest in them to be successful, and they give back to us in many ways. They make a difference in our stores.”
James Minutilli, OOD Talent Sourcing Coordinator, said, “Cindy goes out of her way to reach out to different organizations to hire people with disabilities. She’s a very committed Employer Partner.”
Cynthia Crews, OOD Business Relations Specialist for Southwest Ohio, explained, “Scott Family McDonald’s has been a committed partner and is currently participating in our Inclusive Employer Roundtables, a new service to support disability inclusion in the workplace.”
During the hiring event, employers conducted 25 interviews and made ten same-day job offers. Thanks to everyone who made the event successful, including David Sullivan and Lisa Johnstone, OOD Vocational Rehabilitation Supervisors who served as captains, and Cynthia Crews, OOD Business Relations Specialist. Congratulations to all the participants!
June 26 to July 2, 2022 is DeafBlind Awareness Week. We reflect on the contributions of Helen Keller, born on June 27, 1880. This trailblazer devoted her life to advancing the rights of people who are blind or DeafBlind. To learn more about her accomplishments, read an article by the Perkins School for the Blind.
For more information on deaf-blindness, visit the American Association of the DeafBlind, Hellen Keller National Center for DeafBlind Youths & Adults, National Center on Deaf-Blindness, World Federation of The Deafblind, and the Ohio Association of the Deaf-Blind Facebook Group.
Moments after taking the oath of office, Governor Mike DeWine signed Executive Order 2019-03D, which established Ohio as a Disability Inclusion State and Model Employer of Individuals with Disabilities. To reinforce his commitment to Ohioans with disabilities, H.B. 110 included presenting the Governor’s Inclusive Employer Award during October’s National Disability Employment Awareness Month (NDEAM) to employers who meet the criteria for having a workplace inclusive of individuals with disabilities.
Businesses of any size are encouraged to apply for this award. OOD invites Ohio employers to complete this Application Form to be considered for the award. More information, along with a PDF of the application, can be found on our website. The deadline for submission is 11:45 p.m. on Wednesday, August 3, 2022. Winners will be announced in early October 2022.
In this video, Governor DeWine and OOD Director Miller explain the award and encourage applications.
 Happy Independence Day! The OOD Works e-Newsletter will return on Friday, July 8. Stay tuned!
OOD and the National Federation of the Blind of Ohio partnered to create a searchable database of resources for individuals who are blind or have low vision. With 14 categories of information (e.g., accessible technology, advocacy, employment resources, and independent living), the public can search for resources based on topic or name. Families and professionals can go to one place to find the resources and information they need at the OOD website.
Resources are updated monthly. If you would like to add a resource, please email BSVI-NFBSearchResources@ood.ohio.gov.
Charity Gifts Inclusive Books to Children with Disabilities
WEWS, 6-22-22
Governor DeWine Announces New Pilot Program for Improving Transportation Services in Four Rural Counties
News Release from Governor DeWine, 6-21-22
New Restaurant Doubles as Training Facility
The Athens Messenger, 6-21-22
Nearly $3M to Improve Access to Essential Transportation Services in Appalachian Ohio
The Ironton Tribune, 6-21-22
Chesterland Man Overcoming Disabilities and Playing Sports Through Empower Sports
WOIO, 6-21-22
Dwayne Johnson Surprises Students with Disabilities in Moving Video – “The Most Gigantic Hearts”
Yahoo Entertainment, 6-21-22
Inspired Transportation Will Bring Artists with Developmental Disabilities to InsideOut Studio
Journal-News, 6-20-22
Blind North Olmstead Teen Competing in Upcoming Firestone Junior Cup
WOIO, 6-20-22
Transition U Graduates Overcome Special Needs, Move on to Independent Lives
Mount Vernon News, 6-20-22
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