 Chad Nolen started working with Opportunities for Ohioans with Disabilities (OOD) in 2017 while a student at Sidney High School and the Upper Valley Career Center in Piqua, Ohio. At the time, he was studying auto service and made the decision to defer his graduation until 2018 to complete his two-year certificate at the career center.
With help from Maria Noble, OOD Vocational Rehabilitation Counselor, his family, and the team supporting him, Chad planned his transition from school to his career and adult life. Chad wasn’t going to let his disabilities, which include being on the autism spectrum, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, and hearing loss, hold him back. Getting a driver’s license and work experience were his top priorities.
Maria worked with Chad on the next steps. Chad completed driver’s education at Capabilities, Inc. in St. Mary’s and got his license. In December 2019, Chad landed a part-time job with a pizza company in Sidney to get him started in the world of work.
As Chad became more comfortable with working, he wanted a job that was more in line with his interests that would also provide increased responsibility. He returned to OOD in June 2021 and began working with Joellen Heatherly, OOD Vocational Rehabilitation Counselor, to find a job in automotive support.
Dennis Rutter, Job Developer at Capabilities, Inc., helped Chad update his resume and prepare for job interviews. When Dennis heard about the job opportunity at Jayna, Inc. in Troy, Ohio, he thought it was a position that might be a good fit for Chad. Jayna, Inc. is a contract manufacturer of precision machine parts that services the automotive industry.
“Chad was very determined to find employment that would work for him,” said Dennis. “When he went to Jayna, he liked what he saw and was very interested in the position.”
Jayna, Inc. hired Chad for a part-time position in October 2021. A job coach from Capabilities, Inc. helped Chad adjust and learn the different aspects of his job. Chad operates a bolt press and a broaching machine, working four hours daily, five days a week.
“When Chad learned that he had skills to offer and could move on, it was a huge step,” said Joellen. “Chad matured through this process, takes his job seriously, and is a dependable, loyal employee.”
Taylor Houchin, Service and Support Administrator with the Shelby County Board of Developmental Disabilities, checks in with Chad to ensure his continued success. “Chad is pleased with his job, has a strong work ethic, good attendance, and has gained much independence since starting with Jayna,” Taylor explained.
“Chad has had a strong work ethic since he was young,” said Jennifer Nolen, Chad’s mom. “We felt strongly about him having a job after graduation, and I am grateful to Jayna for embracing him. Working has made Chad very independent. I am so proud of all he has accomplished.”
Chad has saved enough money to buy a car and is now saving for a family trip to Disney. “I like working, being productive, and being helpful,” Chad said.
If you or somebody you know has a disability and would like to work, visit OODWorks.com or call 800-282-4536.
 From left to right: Director Kevin Miller, Becky Miller, Governor DeWine, First Lady Fran DeWine, Second Lady Tina Husted, and Lt. Governor Jon Husted.
Kevin L. Miller was reappointed as Director of OOD, sworn in by Governor DeWine and Lt. Governor Husted on January 6, 2023.
Director Miller was first appointed OOD Director in January 2011. During his 12 years at OOD, the agency created a division to build business partnerships to promote the hiring of people with disabilities, eliminated a waiting list for the Vocational Rehabilitation program, drafted legislation that led to the passage of H.B. 115 - the Communication Disability Law, and developed new initiatives, including Ohio College2Careers, OOD Jobs for Recovery, the Ohio Vocational Apprentice Program, the Ohio Transition Support Partnership, and the Employment First Partnership.
“I am grateful for the support Governor DeWine and Lt. Governor Husted provide to Ohioans with Disabilities,” Director Miller said. “With the collaboration and support of Ohioans with disabilities, family members, providers, and other partners, we recommit to a sense of urgency to help Ohioans with disabilities meet their full potential.”
 Governor DeWine signs Executive Orders on January 14, 2019.
Moments after taking office on January 14, 2019, Ohio Governor Mike DeWine signed Executive Order 2019-03D establishing Ohio as a Disability Inclusion State and Model Employer of Individuals with Disabilities, requiring all state agencies to increase recruitment, hiring, and advancement of people with disabilities.
Governor DeWine appointed James Clinkscale to serve in a newly created position of state ADA (Americans with Disabilities Act) coordinator to help establish Ohio as a state leader and a disability and inclusion state.
OOD partnered with the Ohio Department of Administrative Services (DAS) to develop and launch web-based training for all State of Ohio employees on Disability Etiquette and Awareness and enhanced the statewide training curriculum for management staff to include disability inclusion in the workplace.
Also in support of the Executive Order, OOD developed the Ohio Vocational Apprentice Program for students and adults with disabilities to assist them in gaining access to state government employment. The goal of this program is for apprentices to secure permanent employment in state government upon completion of the apprenticeship.
On Monday, January 16, we honor Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.’s leadership for the Civil Rights Movement and his work toward the Disability Rights Movement. OOD offices will be closed in observance of the holiday.
 Front row, left to right: Melanie Seckler, Ginger Scaife, Jennifer Cosgrove, Carol Crane, and Susan Pugh. Back row, left to right: Jennifer Pollard, Jeffrey Rhoads, Jay Burns, Tiffany McGuire-Edwards, Cyndi Mignone, and Erin Crawford. Not pictured: Barbara Cartwright, Danielle Flickinger, Tinola Mayfield-Guerrero, and Ronna Woods.
On January 12, 2023, OOD Vocational Rehabilitation staff received the “Organization Award” during the 38th Annual Ohio Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Commemorative Celebration, hosted by the Ohio Department of Administrative Services, the Ohio Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Holiday Commission, and the Trinity Episcopal Church in Columbus. The award recognized significant contributions toward building a sense of unity among Ohio citizens through OOD’s efforts to expand services to support more equitable access.
OOD is deeply committed to Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Accessibility (DEIA) and is actively engaged in continual DEIA improvement.
Following a Comprehensive Statewide Needs Assessment and input from field staff and providers of vocational rehabilitation, OOD's Provider and Contract Management Unit expanded services to support more equitable access.
A Vocational Rehabilitation DEIA workgroup at OOD took a critical look at the reported reasons for participant disengagement. With noted differences in the demographic analysis of participant success rates, OOD developed an entirely new group of employment support services to address the barriers to employment reported by OOD participants.
These new services are called Bridge Support Services. They support Dr. King’s belief that the best means of creating positive social transformation is nonviolent social change, which he called, "not sterile passivity, but a powerful moral force" that leads to lasting social change.
Bridge Support Services offer more equitable access to services and include obtaining identity cards for paid work experiences; securing interview and work clothing; career training exploration; completing college entrance and financial aid applications; helping register for classes; and connecting participants with resources to help with childcare, transportation, shelter, mental health care, banking, and applying for services with other community agencies.
In addition, OOD began offering remote services permanently after finding this service modality eliminated many barriers to participation. OOD expanded its “Setup for Technology Access Readiness Training” (START Up), which teaches participants to use technology (tablets, laptops, and/or desktop computers) so they can effectively participate in remote services and interviews.
Participants, providers, stakeholders, and staff have shared that these changes more equitably support participants throughout the state by improving access to the services that help foster independence and prevent them from being left behind.
January is National Glaucoma Awareness Month, a time to spread the word about this sight-stealing disease and the importance of regular eye examinations to preserve vision. According to the Glaucoma Research Foundation, more than three million Americans have glaucoma, and experts estimate that half of them do not know they have it. Learn more about glaucoma, request a free educational booklet, and find tips to raise awareness at Glaucoma.org.
The OOD Bureau of Services for the Visually Impaired helps Ohioans with low vision and blindness. The program provides individuals, ages 14 and up, with direct, personalized services to assist them in finding and keeping meaningful work and personal independence. Get started today at OODWorks.com or call 800-282-4536.
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