 In 2017, while living in Colorado, Tommie received an unexpected diagnosis — an aggressive form of multiple sclerosis (MS) — that turned his world upside down. He suddenly could not drive or walk without assistance and decided to move back to Ohio to be closer to family and take some time to figure out his next steps. After a few years, Tommie felt it was time to work again and return to helping others. However, he struggled to find a job that matched his interests and goals.
He needed additional support to find the right job, so he connected with Opportunities for Ohioans with Disabilities (OOD) in 2021. Tommie began job searching in 2022 when OOD Vocational Rehabilitation Counselor Dawn Coleman matched him with Jacob Karnes, who at the time was an OOD Internal Job Developer. Jacob met weekly with Tommie to help identify his strengths, understand his goals, and support his job search efforts. They pulled together a detailed Job Development Plan, refreshed his resume, strategized his skill sets, and worked through interview scenarios.
In May of 2022, an opportunity through the Ohio Vocational Apprentice Program (OVAP), a program that provides individuals with disabilities experience and access to state government employment through paid apprenticeships, became available. Jacob shared, “The apprenticeship was a perfect match – Tommie’s strong customer service expertise and experience lend themselves well to the position’s duties, and the position allowed him to update his skills after having been out of the workforce for a few years.”
After landing the position through OVAP, Tommie worked with the Ohio Department of Health, answering phones and helping individuals navigate COVID-19 information, schedule appointments, and find resources. “It is really nice to help other people again,” Tommie shared. “OOD [and this job] has helped me build my confidence again.” Dawn Coleman explained, “It was the perfect opportunity for Tommie. It met all his needs as it was a work-from-home position, part-time, and it fit his customer service skill set.”
With the work experience gained through OVAP, Tommie feels confident about his next career opportunity, using the experience as building blocks for future employment. “It is nice to have this experience under my belt and be able to dip my toes back into the world of work. I am so thankful it worked out the way it did,” explained Tommie. As he looks toward new opportunities, OOD Vocational Rehabilitation Counselor Sharon Marble shared, “Tommie has an infectiously positive outlook.” Job Developer/Talent Sourcing Coordinator Alanna Smith explained, “With his work experience gained [through OVAP], Tommie is ready for the next step in his career, and we are confident in finding a perfect fit.”
If you or somebody you know has a disability and would like to work, visit OODWorks.com or call 800-282-4536.
For more information about OVAP, contact Ohio Vocational Apprentice Program Administrator Jon Hackathorn at jon.hackathorn@ood.ohio.gov or 614-306-1744.
 The 2023 Ohio State Fair, which takes place from July 26 through August 6, 2023, is continuing its unwavering commitment to accessibility and ensuring that Ohioans of all abilities can fully enjoy the vibrant atmosphere, thrilling attractions, and cherished traditions.
Fairgoers will enjoy free wheelchair/mobility device charging stations, technology to connect people who are blind or have low vision, to an agent who can help with navigation, American Sign Language interpretation, a dedicated sensory-friendly morning, and a universal changing table.
“Inclusivity lies at the heart of it all in Ohio,” said Ohio Governor Mike DeWine. “The accessibility of our Ohio State Fair allows Ohioans with disabilities to have equal opportunities to participate so that we do not leave anyone behind.”
OOD teamed up with the State Fair to make complimentary wheelchair/mobility device charging stations available. The stations are in marked areas in the Bricker MarketPlace Building, Kasich Hall, Lausche Youth Exploration Space presented by Intel®, Natural Resources Park pavilion, Taste of Ohio Café, and WCOL Celeste Center.
“The Ohio State Fair offers a refreshing escape from work and our daily routine,” said OOD Director Kevin Miller. “Since fairgoers usually spend the entire day on the grounds, it’s important that charging stations are available to keep wheelchairs, scooters, and other mobility devices going strong.”
Also made available with support from OOD and the National Federation of the Blind of Ohio, fairgoers who are blind or have low vision can use Aira – which stands for Access to Information Remote Assistance – to connect, for free, to a remote agent via a cell phone or through specially-fashioned glasses. Both the application and the glasses allow the agent to access visual information, which is especially helpful for navigating a large, unfamiliar area. The agent can also locate users through GPS and direct them to places of interest.
For fairgoers whose preferred method of communication is American Sign Language (ASL), interpretation will be offered at these events, with no reservations required: the Fair’s opening ceremony, the Sale of Champions Livestock Auction, daily at the Natural Resources Park Great Lakes Timber (lumberjack) shows and the Marvelous Mutts shows at The Dog House, and for all paid ticketed concerts in the WCOL Celeste Center. For Ohioans who are deaf or hard of hearing and use American Sign Language, please watch this video.
In collaboration with the Ohio Center for Autism and Low Incidence (OCALI), the Autism Society of Central Ohio, and the Ohio Department of Developmental Disabilities, the Ohio State Fair is turning down the lights and volume in an effort to host a sensory-friendly morning event on Wednesday, August 2 from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Fairgoers will have an opportunity to ride the rides with no flashing lights or music, visit the Fair’s educational activities, and explore many activities in the shade of the Natural Resources Park. Find more information and resources on the Ohio State Fair sensory-friendly morning webpage.
New this year, thanks to a partnership with the Montgomery County Board of Development Disabilities, the Ohio State Fair will have a universal adjustable-height changing table available in a large private restroom located in the Ag Pro Companies Taft Coliseum.
“It is important that all Ohioans have the opportunity to enjoy the Ohio State Fair,” explained Ohio State Fair General Manager Virgil Strickler. “We recognize that the lack of proper changing facilities could be a barrier to attendance for some, and thanks to this partnership, we are able to continue to improve accessibility at the Ohio State Fair.”
Additional accessibility efforts at the Ohio State Fair include the following:
- Ample accessible parking spaces
- Buildings and many restrooms are accessible
- Motorized scooter and non-motorized wheelchair rentals
- Quiet Room in the Taste of Ohio Café, which is equipped for sensory relief
- Accessible seats for concerts in the WCOL Celeste Center can be purchased at the same cost directly from Ticketmaster (to view accessible seats, click the “filters” button, then toggle on the “accessibility” button to see)
- Free assisted listening devices for use at the WCOL Celeste Center, Main Street Stage, and AARP Ohio Gazebo Stage
- Service animal relief areas with pick-up bags and waste receptacles at the Rhodes Center Lawn, Central Park, and Natural Resources Park
- Accessible play area at the Ohio Department of Natural Resources Park
- Accessible picnic tables throughout the Fair
“We’re thankful for partnerships with OOD, OCALI, and others that help us welcome fairgoers from near and far to an unforgettable experience that celebrates diversity, fosters inclusivity, and embraces the spirit of togetherness,” explained Ohio Expo Center & State Fair General Manager Virgil Strickler.
Learn more at the Ohio State Fair’s accessibility webpage. During the Fair, conveniently-located guest information services booths offer daily schedules, maps, accessibility guides, and directions. For additional information, contact info@expo.ohio.gov or call 614-644-3247.
 OOD invites you to share your ideas as we implement the Accessible Ohio initiative. Please join us for the first Accessible Ohio Feedback Forum on Thursday, August 17 at 10 a.m.
Accessible Ohio is a new initiative made possible through Governor Mike DeWine and Lt. Governor Jon Husted’s Operating Budget for 2024-2025. Accessible Ohio is the first-ever coordinated effort in Ohio to support businesses, communities, attractions, and venues in becoming more accessible and inclusive. Accessible Ohio Specialists consult directly with partners to identify barriers, establish goals for accessibility, and provide information about potential funding resources.
Join us to meet the new Accessible Ohio Specialists and provide valuable feedback on our efforts to transform how Ohioans with disabilities access all our great state has to offer. We are seeking input on strategies to reach local partners and share information about Accessible Ohio services, personal or observed experiences in public activities and environments, examples of ways to overcome barriers to access, and possible funding resources for partners.
The Accessible Ohio Feedback Forum will be hosted on the Microsoft Teams Webinar platform. Registration is required 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.
We look forward to you joining us on Thursday, August 17 at 10 a.m.
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 August 10, 2023.
 Celebrate, learn, and share about the 33rd anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). On July 26, 1990, this historic civil rights law was signed to protect the rights of people with disabilities. Celebrate this special day by showing your #DisabilityPride on social media and sharing how the ADA has benefited you using the hashtag #ThanksToTheADA.
 Designated by the Ohio General Assembly beginning in 2016, Ohio Service Dog Awareness Week, the last week of July, recognizes service dogs that have assisted Ohio citizens with disabilities, including adults, children, and veterans.
Service dogs are trained to help people with disabilities, such as those who are blind or have low vision; those who are deaf or hard of hearing; and those with mental health disabilities, physical disabilities, seizure disorders, or diabetes.
Here are some helpful do’s and don’ts for when you see a service dog:
Do
- Speak to the handler rather than the dog
- Keep your own dog from getting too close
Don’t
- Touch or distract the dog
- Offer food or treats
- Assume a napping dog is off duty
OOD’s Service Animals in the Workplace Guide offers more helpful tips, etiquette, reasonable accommodation considerations, and addresses what to do if other employees have allergies.
The Communication Disability Law helps reduce potential confusion and supports the safety of Ohioans who have challenges communicating.
A video explains the Communication Disability Law, which allows individuals with a medically diagnosed communication disability, who drive or who are regular passengers in a vehicle, to voluntarily enroll in a database that connects to the Law Enforcement Agencies Data System (LEADS). The law enforcement officer is then aware that the driver or a passenger in the vehicle may have difficulty communicating and can approach the vehicle with awareness to help avoid a situation that could harm the individual with a communication disability or the officer.
"This has been a game-changer for individuals with communication disabilities,” said Kevin L. Miller, Director of OOD. “By opting in, a communication disability is flagged for law enforcement, but exact disabilities (e.g., deaf, hard of hearing, cerebral palsy, autism spectrum disorder) remain private.”
The video gives step-by-step instructions on how to register. Individuals interested can take a verification form to a physician, psychiatrist, or psychologist to validate a communication disability. Completed forms should be submitted to the Bureau of Motor Vehicles. For additional information, visit the Communication Disability Law webpage.
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CVG Participates in Sunflower Lanyard Program for Hidden Disability Awareness
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Special Summer Bash Set to Take Place July 29
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Adaptive Athletes Take the Pitch at TOCA
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Teaming Up to Meet the Growing Needs Local Older and Disabled Residents Without Guardians
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Empowering Individuals with a Broad Range of Disabilities
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Vibrating Haptic Suits Give Deaf People a New Way to Feel Live Music
National Public Radio, 7-17-23
West Carrollton Using Program to Help Get At-Risk Adults, Children Home Safely
Dayton Daily News, 7-17-23
2023 Celina Grad Teaching Kids About Disability with "Danny the Duck" Book Series
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