Shaping Tomorrow: Mykenna’s Quest to Be the Change

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Shaping Tomorrow: Mykenna’s Quest to Be the Change

Mykenna Roy recently completed her first year at The Ohio State University, where she is pursuing a Bachelor of Arts in Public Management, Leadership, and Policy and a Bachelor of Science in Biology, while being on a pre-med educational track.

Deaf in both ears since birth, Mykenna wears bilateral hearing aids. She has utilized resources in and out of school to help with her disability, including support from Opportunities for Ohioans with Disabilities (OOD).

When she and a few of her peers realized that they had experienced similar challenges in the healthcare system, they decided to do something about it. Their startup company Aleph Innovations is working to leverage artificial intelligence technology to better address the most pressing issues affecting patients.

“My work is important to me because as a young individual who is growing up in a world that was built by generations before me, I know that if I want to see things change, I’m going to need to be the change,” Mykenna explained.

Mykenna shares her journey in OOD Works Podcast episode 47. Tune in wherever you listen to podcasts by searching "OOD Works." Transcripts and MP3 files are available at ood.ohio.gov/podcast. 

Governor's Inclusive Employer Award - Call for Applications

Moments after taking the oath of office, Ohio Governor Mike DeWine signed Executive Order 2019-03D, which established Ohio as a Disability Inclusion State and a 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 each year during October’s National Disability Employment Awareness Month (NDEAM) to employers who meet the criteria for having a workplace inclusive of individuals with disabilities. OOD is responsible for determining the criteria for the award and promoting participation by Ohio employers. OOD will review applications and make recommendations to Governor DeWine for the selection of the Award recipient(s).

Businesses of any size are encouraged to apply for this award. Opportunities for Ohioans with Disabilities 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 the employer awards webpage. The deadline for submission is 11:45 p.m. on Friday, August 4, 2023. Winners will be announced in early October 2023.

In this video, OOD Director Miller explains the award and encourages applications.

DeafBlind Awareness Week

Photo of Helen Keller, text, we can do anything we want to if we stick to it long enough

June 25-July 1, 2023 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, 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.

All About Accessibility: Apple Live Captions

Photo of an iPhone where two people are facetiming.

Apple Live Captions are now available using iPhones and Macs. The feature, which is still being tested and improved, turns spoken dialogue into text that is displayed in real time on screens. The feature can be used within FaceTime or Podcasts as well as for a live conversation happening around you. Apple cautions users that the accuracy of Live Captions may vary and shouldn’t be relied upon in emergencies or high-risk situations.

Learn more at the iPhone Live Captions support webpage or Mac Live Captions support webpage.

In the News

Episode 139: Kevin Miller Director of Opportunities for Ohioans with Disabilities

Friends for Life Vodcast/Podcast, 6-21-23

Abilities at Bat Day at Great American Ballpark

Loveland Magazine, 6-21-23

Champaign County Law Enforcement Launch Program to Help Communicate with Special Needs Residents

Springfield News-Sun, 6-21-23

Events hosted by Ken Anderson, Dave Lapham Charities Support Those with Disabilities

Dayton.com, 6-20-23

Seed to Table Café in Cleveland Serves Up Success for Its Employees

WEWS, 6-20-23

Wheelchair Users Fight for Easier Air Travel

Axios, 6-20-23

Local Law Enforcement and Logan County Braves Take Part in Torch Run for Special Olympics Ohio

PeakOfOhio.com, 6-20-23

Accessible Nature: A Trail Guide for Disabled Hikers

The New York Times, 6-19-23

Security, Privacy, and Compliance Undercurrents of Web Accessibility

Forbes, 6-19-23

Huber Heights Mom’s Push Could Lead to More Changing Tables for Adults with Disabilities Nationwide

Dayton Daily News, 6-19-23

Participants Gather to Celebrate the Role of Disabled Black People at Accessible Juneteenth

Chicago Tribune, 6-18-23

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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.