Jack Wolf from Broadview Heights, Ohio worked with Opportunities for Ohioans with Disabilities (OOD) Vocational Rehabilitation Counselor Mary Hennessey during his junior year at Brecksville-Broadview Heights High School. Jack’s primary goal was to learn to drive a modified vehicle to gain more freedom and independence. Jack has Duchenne muscular dystrophy, which causes his muscles to get weaker over time, and he uses a wheelchair to navigate his day.
After Jack became a student at the University of Akron (UA) in 2019, he began working with Mara Byers, OOD Vocational Rehabilitation Counselor with OOD’s Ohio College2Careers (Ohio C2C) program.
Jack completed most of his driver’s training, so Mary and Mara worked together to complete the needed high-tech van modifications and arranged for an electronic garage door and automatic entry into his home. Jack is now able to control the garage door and automatic entry from his phone. These tools and his ability to drive have allowed Jack to transport himself to campus independently.
Through UA’s Office of Accessibility, Jack has received help with class accommodations such as notetaking and electronic books. As an OOD C2C counselor, Mara provided Jack with an extra layer of support by being a liaison for him with the university’s Career Services and Student Employment office. Mara has inquired about various internship opportunities and helped Jack with career development, professional networking, resume writing, and interviewing skills.
In May 2022, Jack earned his bachelor’s degree in Organizational Supervision. Jack has also maintained a 4.0-grade point average and achieved a social media certificate in addition to his degree.
“I respect and appreciate Jack’s quiet and competent style as he patiently pursues his education at UA,” said Mara. “Jack thrives in the post-secondary setting, both academically and personally, and this shines through as he works through each step toward his goals.”
In August, Jack started graduate school at UA’s School of Communication to pursue a Master of Arts degree in Strategic Communication. Jack and Mara are currently working on obtaining a graduate-level internship in digital marketing for the upcoming school year.
“OOD is good at figuring out the sites that are accessible to me,” said Jack. “My goal is to gain experience and a fulfilling career in the business field. Being able to work will give me the freedom to be independent and make a living.”
Throughout his journey, Jack’s family has been highly supportive. Outside of his studies, Jack is a die-hard Cleveland sports fan. He also plays Challenger baseball, a league for those with physical and mental disabilities, and power soccer, the first competitive team sport designed by the United States Power Soccer Association for power wheelchair users.
OOD Vocational Rehabilitation Counselors also work with students with disabilities at any college and university in Ohio. To get started, students can visit OODWorks.com to explore vocational rehabilitation, take a self-assessment, and apply for services.
During the 2022-2023 school year, OOD will provide all eligible college students with disabilities up to $1000, while participating in OOD services, to be used for tuition or educational expenses.
For more information about Ohio C2C, visit the webpage, or contact Kristin Garrett at (614) 955-1527 or Kristin.Garrett@ood.ohio.gov.
Thursday, November 17, 2022
10 a.m. - 11 a.m.
OOD is pleased to host a six-part webinar series – The Employers’ Reasonable Accommodation Handbook. In Session Five: Sensory Disabilities, learn best practices for navigating the interactive process with individuals with sensory disabilities, ways to foster a disability-inclusive workplace, and ideas for providing effective reasonable accommodations.
The webinar will be hosted by OOD's Worksite Accessibility Specialist, Julie Wood OTR/L, ADAC and Career Development Specialist, Dustin Schwab.
If you have already registered to attend this webinar series, you do not need to register again. 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. You have the option to register for either one or both of the two remaining webinars in this series. Both webinars begin at 10 a.m.
The final session in this series is Session Six: What Can I Ask and Why?, which will take place on December 14, 2022. Learn when and why an employer can ask an employee if they need an accommodation and best practices to support disability inclusion in the workplace.
The webinars will take place as Microsoft Teams Live Events. You can view the training through your web browser, and you do not need to have Microsoft Teams to participate. Click here to join Session Five.
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 at Chris.Glover@ood.ohio.gov by November 10, 2022.
Each webinar in this series has been approved for 1.00 HR (General) re-certification 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®. While this training is not pre-approved for CESP Continuing Education (CE) credit, it aligns with CESP content, and verification of attendance will be provided upon request. These credits are available for attendees of the live broadcast.
At a virtual meeting, staff learn the team has been honored with the Regional Commissioner’s Citation. From top to bottom and left to right: Mary Beatty, Derek Willer, Heather Crossin, Heather Graham, Steven Ball, Karen Cummins, Kristin Brehm, Tom Melfo, Elizabeth Bando, Jaime McVay, Tina Handschug, Kristin Fisher, Jennifer Nowlin, Stephanie Hupp-Miller, Brooke Fishman, Raymond Rhone, Darin McCoy, Kimberlyn Price, and Cheri Sayavong.
Recently, the OOD Division of Disability Determination (DDD) Virtual Quality Assurance Collaboration Team was recognized by the Social Security Administration (SSA) with the Regional Commissioner’s Citation for outstanding service to the public.
The Regional Commissioner’s Citation is one of the highest honor awards presented by the SSA to recognize those employees who have made significant contributions throughout the year in assisting the region with delivering outstanding public service.
In proactive communication with the SSA Chicago Office of Quality Review, the Virtual Quality Assurance Collaboration Team sought continued best practices to improve overall quality during the COVID-19 pandemic. Collaborative efforts led to a virtual template, helping not only Ohio but also other states, discuss local trends, sample results, and receive support. Ultimately, quality assurance efforts improve overall performance in the disability determination process, ensuring that benefits are made available to all eligible individuals in an accurate and efficient manner.
Congratulations to Mary Beatty, Quality Assurance Supervisor, and the following Quality Assurance Disability Claims Specialists: Kristin Brehm, Heather Crossin, Karen Cummins, Kristin Fisher, Tina Handschug, Stephanie Hupp-Miller, and Jennifer Nowlin.
The OOD Council on August 17, 2022.
The OOD Council will conduct an in-person meeting for OOD Council members and the public on Wednesday, November 16, 2022, at 10 a.m. For members of the public who are unable to attend the in-person meeting, a virtual meeting will be available through Microsoft Teams.
The meeting will take place at OOD’s Central Office located at 150 E. Campus View Blvd., Columbus, OH 43235, Conference Room 0308.
Public comments or correspondence should be submitted to OOD.OfficeofCommunication@OOD.Ohio.Gov by the close of business on Friday, November 11, 2022. For more information about the meeting, including the link for the virtual meeting, please visit the OOD Council meetings webpage.
November is Native American Heritage Month, a time to celebrate rich and diverse cultures, traditions, and histories and to acknowledge the important contributions of Native people. Learn more at NativeAmericanHeritageMonth.org.
As the temperatures drop, it’s important eligible Ohioans are aware they can receive assistance to maintain their utility service during the winter months through the Home Energy Assistance Program (HEAP). Learn more and begin an application at EnergyHelp.Ohio.Gov.
Project SEARCH of Southeast Ohio Celebrates Five Years of Operation
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Meet Haben Girma: The Disability Rights Advocate Fighting for Access and Equal Opportunities Around the World
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DCBDD Celebrating National Family Caregivers Month
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Why is the Employment Gap for People with Disabilities So Consistently Wide?
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JCBDD Highlights National Disability Employment Awareness Month
Herald-Star, 10-31-22
Kyle Christian Provides Example of Hiring with Marion County Developmental Disabilities
The Marion Star, 10-31-22
Springboro Student Surprises Favorite Custodian with Wheelchair-Accessible Costume
WLWT, 10-31-22
Why You Should Consider Hiring Autistic Individuals for Creative Careers
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Special Fall Festival Meets Everyone’s Needs
Tribune Chronicle, 10-30-22
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