Eric Petersen’s Remarkable Recovery from a Motorcycle Accident

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Eric Petersen’s Remarkable Recovery from a Motorcycle Accident

Eric Petersen of Mentor, Ohio, served our country as a Marine. He was deployed to Iraq in 2005 and served in Afghanistan in 2008. Eric came back home and was a reservist and trained as an EMT, paramedic, and firefighter. While working as a firefighter in Akron, Eric experienced a life-changing event during his off-hours: he had a near-fatal motorcycle accident that resulted in a traumatic brain injury.

Through years of physical, occupational, and speech-language therapies, Eric learned how to walk again and so much more. “Both the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) and Opportunities for Ohioans with Disabilities (OOD) worked with Eric for years to help him reenter the workforce. He came such a long way,” explained Sunny Gilmore, OOD Senior Vocational Rehabilitation Counselor.

Eric joins the podcast to talk about his experience with some assistance from his dad, Tom Petersen.

Tune in to episode 40 to hear from Eric and Tom wherever you listen to podcasts by searching "OOD Works." Transcripts and MP3 files are available at ood.ohio.gov/podcast.

National Rehabilitation Awareness Week

In recognition of the benefits of rehabilitation and the successes of those who have received treatment through all forms of rehabilitation, the National Rehabilitation Awareness Foundation recognizes National Rehabilitation Awareness Week during the third full week in September every year. This year, National Rehabilitation Awareness Week is September 19-25.

OOD is proud to celebrate National Rehabilitation Awareness Week to highlight the positive impact of rehabilitation. During this week, we reflect on the remarkable outcomes that individuals achieve through the power of rehabilitation, and we reaffirm our commitment to transforming lives through Vocational Rehabilitation.

To learn more about OOD’s services for individuals with disabilities, click here. You can also watch a video about how Vocational Rehabilitation Counselors make a difference.

National Hispanic American Heritage Month

Happy National Hispanic American Heritage Month! From September 15 to October 15, we celebrate the histories, cultures, and contributions of American citizens whose ancestors came from Spain, Mexico, the Caribbean, and Central and South America. Learn more at HispanicHeritageMonth.gov.

Special Presentation of "The Silent Natural”

vintage photo of a batter and catcher and an umpire from behind the plate

In celebration of Deaf Awareness Week, the Community Center for the Deaf & Hard of Hearing in partnership with Heights Libraries will present the film, "The Silent Natural." The event will take place on Saturday, September 24, 2022 from 1:00 - 4:00 p.m. William Hoy historian Steve Sandy will be at the presentation.

This inspirational story tells of the trials and tribulations of Hoy, the first Major League Baseball star who was deaf. Learn where the hand signals in baseball came from and the history of one of the greatest players of his time.

This film showing is free to the public. Learn more and register by September 20 at the library’s website.

September Goes to the Service Dogs

Service dogs help individuals with disabilities lead more independent lives. According to the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), a service dog is “a dog that is individually trained to do work or perform tasks for a person with a disability.”

September is National Service Dog Month, and thanks to a statewide proclamation from Ohio Governor Mike DeWine, Ohio is recognizing the special month and dedicating September 18, 2022 as Service Dog Awareness Day. Learn more on the Canine Companions website. Find a “Service Animals in the Workplace” fact sheet on OOD’s website.

All About Accessibility: Service Animal Resource Hub

Photo of gentleman in wheelchair with dog greeting him with sunset in background

The ADA National Network offers an online hub dedicated to providing clarity about service animals. Information includes service animal basics, taking a service animal to work, traveling with a service animal, living with a service animal, service animals in emergency situations, and more. Click here to visit the Service Animal Resource Hub.

In the News

GCCC Project SEARCH Awarded Excellent Employment Outcome Again

Xenia Gazette, 9-13-22

Disability Rights Ohio Plans Job, Resource Fair

The Marietta Times, 9-13-22

Computer Science Benefits Students with Learning Disabilities—but Not Always for the Long Term

BusinessMirror, 9-15-22

Businesses Encouraged to Hire People with Disabilities

WKBN, 9-14-22

Honk-a-Thon Celebrates Caregivers of Those with Intellectual, Developmental Disabilities

WKRC, 9-14-22

Social Security Offers Online Learning Tools

The Logan Daily News, 9-13-22

Allen County Board of Developmental Disabilities Applaud Direct Service Providers

Hometown Stations, 9-13-22

Canadian Family Taking World Tour Before Children Lose Their Vision

CNN, 9-12-22

As a Disabled Person, I Know: American Bootstrap Culture is a Lie

The Washington Post, 9-11-22

Allen County Board of Developmental Disabilities Shines Spotlight on Their Hardworking Employees

Hometown Stations, 9-9-22

Two Ohio Moms of Girls with Special Needs Praise Inclusive Cheer Team

WKBN, 9-9-22

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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.