 Left to right: Terri Klosterman, Aaron Klosterman, and Kendra Hausfeld.
Aaron Klosterman, who has Down syndrome, began receiving transition services from Opportunities for Ohioans with Disabilities (OOD) before he graduated from Sidney City Schools in 2005. He learned about the world of work and even tried out a part-time position as a dining room attendant. At the time, the position ended up not being a good fit.
Kendra Hausfeld, Service and Support Administrator with the Shelby County Board of Developmental Disabilities, helped Aaron tour programs that would help him continue to build his skills. Aaron saw friends working at the We Can Too Opportunity Center in St. Mary’s, Ohio and decided to give it a try.
Aaron began participating at the center in 2007. He and his parents appreciated the security the center offered to Aaron as well as the opportunity for him to be with friends during the day. After years of involvement, Aaron knew how to perform many jobs and decided it was time to step out of his comfort zone and look for a position in the community.
In August 2021, Kendra referred Aaron back to OOD. He began working with Joellen Heatherly, OOD Vocational Rehabilitation Counselor. Knowing Aaron had some reservations about working in the community, Joellen recommended a community based assessment at a local food pantry to gauge his interests and abilities. The experience increased Aaron’s confidence as he learned about his strengths, which included stocking items, and challenges, including reading. Aaron decided his goal was to find a position as a dishwasher.
Aaron began working with a job developer at Capabilities, a vocational rehabilitation provider in St. Mary’s. He was hired as a dishwasher at a pizza shop. A job coach helped Aaron learn the requirements of the position, and he enjoyed the work. Unfortunately, the shop offered Aaron limited hours, and he eventually resigned to find an opportunity to work more.
Terri Klosterman, Aaron’s mom, recommended that he apply for a vacant dishwasher position she knew about at the Moose Lodge in Sidney. When Aaron learned the job would require him to use a commercial dishwasher instead of handwashing, he expressed concern. Working with Kendra and staff at Capabilities, Aaron learned how to operate the machine.
“Aaron learns best by hands-on,” said Kendra. “He has to do the job rather than watch and learn it.”
The Moose Lodge hired Aaron and quickly recognized his commitment and hard work. Soon his duties expanded to helping the cooks with portioning food and even preparing some items. Staff and customers at the Moose Lodge praised Aaron for his strong work ethic and great attendance.
Aaron, who is now 37, works five days per week at the Moose Lodge. “I love my job,” Aaron said.
“Every time I pick him up, he tells me how hard he worked and that he loves his job,” said Terri. “He’s proud of himself.”
“It has been a joy to get to know Aaron and his family during this process,” said Joellen. “I admire that he recognized he was ready for a new opportunity in our community and took risks.”
If you or somebody you know has a disability and would like to work, visit OODWorks.com or call 800-282-4536.
 Disability Pride” originally started as a day of celebration in 1990 when the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) was signed into law. That same year, Boston held the first Disability Pride Day. The first official “Disability Pride Month” celebration took place in July 2015, which marked the 25th anniversary of the ADA. Since then, cities across the country have celebrated July as Disability Pride Month with parades and other festivities.
Disability Pride Month is a time to recognize and celebrate the diverse abilities and accomplishments of individuals with disabilities. Three practical ways to honor Disability Pride Month include:
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Amplify the voices of Ohioans with disabilities by sharing and promoting their work, achievements, and perspectives. If you or a loved one have benefitted from OOD services and would like to share your experience for the OOD Works e-Newsletter or on OOD social media, tell us more using our “Share My Story” webpage.
- Support organizations and initiatives that empower and advocate for people with disabilities, such as donating to disability-focused nonprofits or volunteering at local disability service providers.
- Educate yourself and others by seeking out information, resources, and events that foster greater understanding and inclusion of individuals with disabilities.
 Wednesday, July 19, 2023
10 a.m. - 11 a.m.
OOD is pleased to host a webinar titled, "Creating Inclusive College Internships." The webinar will highlight best practices and actions to take when creating internship programs that are inclusive of students with disabilities and share information about the resources available through colleges & universities and community programs to support inclusive internships.
We are hosting this webinar through a new platform – Microsoft Teams Webinar. This platform will allow attendees to engage more directly with the presenters and participate in other interactive features. Microsoft Teams Webinar requires pre-registration to attend. To register, please visit the registration site and complete a brief registration form. Once you have completed the registration form, you will receive an email that includes the link to join the event and add it to your calendar.
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 by July 12, 2023.
The webinar 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.
 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.
 The OOD Council meeting on April 19, 2023.
The OOD Vocational Rehabilitation Policy Subcommittee will conduct an in-person meeting for OOD Council members and the public on Thursday, July 27, 2023 at 10:00 a.m.
The meeting will occur at OOD’s Central office at 150 E. Campus View Blvd., Columbus, Ohio 43235, Conference Room 0308. For members of the public who cannot attend the in-person meeting, a call-in number will be available on the OOD website.
Public comments or correspondence should be submitted to OOD.OfficeofCommunication@OOD.Ohio.Gov by the close of business on Friday, July 21, 2023.
For more information about the meeting, please visit the OOD Council meetings webpage.
 Happy Independence Day! The OOD Works e-Newsletter will return on Friday, July 14. Stay tuned!
 Dawn Bentley, founder and CEO of CAIRE, based in Toledo, Ohio, created a coloring book to help educate children about disability awareness. Each page describes ways children can interact with people with disabilities and includes photos taken by local community members as well as image descriptions.
Learn more about the coloring book in a video by WTOL’s GOOD Day.
To order a coloring book, please email dbentleycaire@gmail.com.
Buehler’s Fresh Foods Shoppers Can Donate to Ability to Play Campaign
The Canton Repository, 6-29-23
Business Run by Local Students with Disabilities Det to Open First Store
Fox 8 Cleveland, 6-28-23
Emerald Necklace Garden Club Helps Individuals with Disabilities Grow Through Gardening
Cleveland.com, 6-28-23
Nonprofit Focused on Those with Disabilities Helps Provide First Responders with Care Packs for Kids
The Herald-Dispatch, 6-27-23
Folds of Honor Golf Fundraiser Raises $800K for Families of Disabled and Fallen Military and First Responders
WTOL 6-27-23
Springboro Police Officer Saves Disabled Man from Battery Fire
WXIX, 6-27-23
Why the 1932 Movie “Freaks” is a Touchstone for Disability Representation
The New York Times, 6-26-23
Disability Rates Higher in Rural Areas Than Urban Areas
United States Census Bureau, 6-26-23
Join Us for an Incredible Day of Fun and Entertainment at the 9th Annual All Disabilities Festival
Newswires, 6-24-23
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