Lenny Johnson, Business Enterprise Operator

Opportunities for Ohioans with Disabilities sent this bulletin at 10/07/2022 10:02 AM EDT

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Lenny Johnson, Business Enterprise Operator

Photo of three gentleman with American flag in the background

From left to right: Scott Johnson, Operations Manager; Lenny Johnson, Business Owner; Kevin L. Miller, Director of OOD.

Leonard “Lenny” Johnson is just like any other business owner. The only difference is that he happens to be legally blind.

Lenny has been a vendor in the Opportunities for Ohioans with Disabilities (OOD) Business Enterprise Program for 31 years. The Business Enterprise (BE) Program recruits, trains, and licenses Ohioans who are legally blind to have entrepreneurial careers in food service management. These opportunities include the management of cafeterias, convenience stores, snack bars, and vending in state and federal buildings, as well as interstate highway rest areas, where licensed operators have bidding priority on vacant vending facilities under the Randolph Sheppard Act and Ohio Revised Code. Operators also run businesses at state universities, colleges, and county buildings. OOD Business Enterprise Consultants provide ongoing support, technical assistance, and training to operators.

Lenny has been operating his business at the Wright-Patterson Air Force Base (WPAFB) dining hall since 1999. He explained, “I enjoy interacting with the customers and employees. It has been extremely rewarding serving the military for the past 23 years. The BE Program has been supportive. I’ve been blessed by it.”

Scott Johnson is Lenny’s son and Operations Manager. He expressed the importance of their team of 47 employees making day-to-day activities flow smoothly. Lenny said, “My family has been an intricate part of my success.”

OOD Director Kevin L. Miller and staff recently visited with Lenny and Scott at the WPAFB dining hall. “Lenny is a stellar business owner who is a leader for other BE Program operators. October is Blindness Awareness Month, and Lenny demonstrates that vision loss doesn’t have to hold anyone back,” said Director Miller.

If you would like to learn more, visit the BE Program webpage. If you have questions, please contact Christy Hauck at 614-312-1271 or Christine.Hauck@ood.ohio.gov.

October is National Disability Employment Awareness Month

graphic of proclamation text: Ohio Governor Mike DeWine and Lt. Governor Husted October 2022 NDEAM

National Disability Employment Awareness Month (NDEAM) is recognized in October to raise awareness of disability employment issues and celebrate the many and varied contributions of workers with disabilities. Read a proclamation from Governor Mike DeWine and Lieutenant Governor Jon Husted.

The history of NDEAM traces back to 1945 when Congress enacted a law declaring the first week in October each year "National Employ the Physically Handicapped Week." In 1962, the word "physically" was removed to acknowledge the employment needs and contributions of individuals with all types of disabilities. In 1988, Congress expanded the week to a month and changed the name to “National Disability Employment Awareness Month”. This year is the 77^th anniversary of the special month.

OOD is leading the state’s efforts across Ohio to promote the benefits of hiring individuals with disabilities. This month OOD is hosting hiring events for OOD job seekers, providing a webinar and other training opportunities for employer partners, and more. Watch a video of Director Kevin Miller about NDEAM.

OOD Assists Job Seekers

Photo of Indian woman at a laptop Text: In September 2022, we helped 453 people reach their goal of employment.

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.

All About Accessibility: Supporting Inclusive Workplaces

The OOD Business Relations team works throughout the state to raise awareness of OOD and our mission with Employer Partners to promote and support the hiring of individuals with disabilities. Through OOD's network of Employer Partners, OOD Business Relations Specialists (BRSs) identify job opportunities that match our job seekers' skill sets and experience and provide services and resources that promote an inclusive and diverse work environment.

If you are an employer looking to diversify and strengthen your workforce by including people with disabilities, let OOD customize a no-cost Training Program for Your Business. Please get in touch with the OOD BRS in your area to schedule a meeting.

In the News

Breaking Barriers for People with Disabilities in the Workplace

WBNS, 10-5-22

Tri-State Schools Enlist Help of Furry Friend to Help Students with Disabilities

WXIX, 10-5-22

Sixty Words Podcast Episode Six Jacob Karnes, OOD Northwest Ohio Business Relations Specialist

The Ability Center, 10-4-22

Social Security Administration Establishing National Native American Office

Social Security Press Office, 10-4-22

U.S. Department of Education Awards $177M in New Grants to Increase Competitive Integrated Employment for People with Disabilities

Highland County Press, 10-4-22

Mason Park, with Amenities for All Abilities, Will Be Site of World Inclusion Day Event

Dayton Daily News, 10-4-22

Bridging Abilities: Students in Program Work in Classroom and Earn Pay

Springfield News-Sun, 10-2-22

Hubbard Pool Offers Free Swim Lessons to Kids with Developmental Disabilities

WKBN, 10-2-22

Annual DSACO Buddy Walk Celebrates Central Ohioans with Down Syndrome

WBNS, 10-2-22

National Disability Employment Awareness Month, 2022

The White House Briefing Room, 9-30-22

Ohio Valley Goodwill’s Employment Services Team Receives the 2022 APSE Award

Ohio Valley Goodwill Industries, 9-30-22

Ohio Minimum Wage Will Increase Soon

The Scioto Post, 9-30-22

OOD Recognizes National Disability Employment Awareness Month with Hiring Events and Webinar

The Mount Vernon Grapevine, 9-30-22

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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) 2022, OOD received $103,630,848 in federal funds. Funds appropriated by the State covered 21.3 % of the total costs, or $28,047,485. Of these federal funds, $15,544,627 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 2022, OOD received $603,568 for SE Youth with a Disability, and State appropriated funds paid the remaining 10%, or $60,357 of the total costs. In FFY 2022, OOD received $603,568 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 2022 paid 90% of the total costs incurred under the program. In FFY 2022, OOD received $1,139,118 in federal grant funds. Funds appropriated by the State paid over the 10% required match, or $126,569 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 2022. In FFY 2022, OOD received $632,008 in federal grant funds. Funds appropriated by the State paid over the 10% of the match required or $70,223 of the total costs incurred under the IL Program.