Fostering Empowerment: 2023 Youth Leadership Forums

Opportunities for Ohioans with Disabilities sent this bulletin at 08/04/2023 10:00 AM EDT

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Fostering Empowerment: 2023 Youth Leadership Forums

Students participating at the Youth Leadership Forums in Athens and Canton.

The Youth Leadership Forum (YLF) is a week-long career leadership program for 11^th and 12^th graders with disabilities to help prepare them to become one of Ohio’s future leaders by improving their leadership, citizenship, and social skills.

In June 2023, Opportunities for Ohioans with Disabilities (OOD), the Ohio Statewide Independent Living Council (OSILC), and Centers for Independent Living hosted YLFs in Athens, Canton, Columbus, Cleveland, Dayton, and Toledo for a total of 59 students.

Ohio Governor Mike DeWine shared a video with students at each forum. He said, “As you learn new skills this week, put your very best into developing your personal leadership plan, which includes specific ways for you to act on the issues that are important to you to help you reach your goals in education, employment, and community leadership.”

OOD Director Kevin L. Miller told students in Canton, “I am so proud of all that you are doing to prepare to be Ohio’s future leaders. I believe in you and your ability to encourage positive change in your communities.”

Students at the Cleveland YLF were inspired by Mykenna Roy, who is a former YLF participant and recently completed her first year at The Ohio State University. Deaf in both ears since birth, Mykenna wears bilateral hearing aids. She shared with students about how she is on a pre-med educational track while also taking part in a startup company called Aleph Innovations, which is working to leverage artificial intelligence technology to better address the most pressing issues affecting patients. (Learn more about Mykenna in OOD Works Podcast episode 47.)

"My favorite part of YLF was hearing from other people with disabilities who overcame challenges, are living independently, and have jobs,” said student Rithik Sinhasan. “It was very inspiring. I loved meeting the other delegates and mentors. The conference was well organized, and the week flew by.”

“OSILC is thrilled that we were able to complete another year of working with students with disabilities across Ohio to help form the next generation of leaders in local disability communities,” said Jeremy Morris, Executive Director of OSILC. “The Centers for Independent Living developed fantastic programs in their communities that are having long-lasting impacts on the students participating,” he added.

If you have a child 14 years of age or older with a disability, reach out to OOD for assistance with career exploration, skill development, paid work experience, credential attainment, and strategies to get a job after graduation. Visit the OOD students 14+ webpage.

$7,000 in Education Support for Ohioans with Disabilities

Up to $7,000 per person is available to Ohioans with disabilities for college, training, and credentialing programs for the 2023 fall term.

The OOD Education Support Funds help students with disabilities in their pursuit of continued education. OOD will provide all eligible college and non-traditional students with disabilities up to $7,000, while participating in OOD services, to be used for tuition or educational expenses during the upcoming fall term. This includes students with disabilities participating in colleges, apprenticeships, trade schools, and credentialing programs.

“Higher education and a successful future should be available for all students,” said Ohio Governor Mike DeWine. “By supporting college and non-traditional students with disabilities through services from OOD and its partners, they are given a greater opportunity of success as they transition from education and training to in-demand careers.”

“OOD is dedicated to empowering Ohioans with disabilities through employment and independence,” said OOD Director Miller. “As part of this commitment, the OOD Education Support Funds ease financial barriers while providing individualized career guidance, technology, tools, resources, and connection to a large network of employer partners.”

Students with disabilities (e.g., physical, learning, mental health, sensory, hearing, vision, and more) can qualify for the OOD Education Support Funds through the following steps:

Apply for OOD services online at OODWorks.com
OOD staff will call the applicant and schedule an in-person or virtual appointment
Complete the required paperwork to finalize the application
OOD staff will determine eligibility and help plan the next steps

Vocational rehabilitation counselors with OOD assist students with disabilities with career exploration and counseling, assistive technology, resume and interview preparation, and job placement. Staff with OOD’s business relations team connect college students with disabilities to internship and permanent employment opportunities.

The OOD Education Support Funds build on a range of services to help students with disabilities prepare for post-secondary education and employment. From helping younger students explore job interests to supporting students in their first work experiences, providing Ohio College2Careers and more, OOD helps Ohioans with disabilities transition into fulfilling careers.

Annual Report Highlights Commitment to Ohioans with Disabilities

The OOD Annual Report for Federal Fiscal Year 2022 and State Fiscal Year 2023 is now available on the OOD website. Read it to learn more about efforts over the last 12 months to empower Ohioans with disabilities through quality employment, disability determinations, and independence.

OOD Council Meets on August 16

The OOD Council meeting on April 19, 2023.

The OOD Council will conduct an in-person meeting for OOD Council members and the public on Wednesday, August 16, 2023, beginning at 10:00 a.m.

The meeting will take place at OOD’s Central Office at 150 E. Campus View Blvd., Columbus, OH 43235, Conference Room 0308. For members of the public who cannot attend the in-person meetings, a call-in phone 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, August 11, 2023.

You can visit the OOD Council meetings webpage for more information about the meetings.

All About Accessibility: Xfinity Large Button Voice Remote

Comcast, a global media and technology company, launched an innovative accessory created for people with disabilities.

The Xfinity Large Button Voice Remote sports a new accessible hardware design that makes navigation easier for those with mobility, dexterity, and vision disabilities.

Read Comcast’s press release to learn more about the Xfinity remote’s voice navigation, enhanced readability, ease of use, and accessible set-up experience.

In the News

High-Tech Home Helps Those with Disabilities

WTVG, 8-2-23

What’s New for the Wex: Staffers Talk State Funding and Accessibility Initiatives

The Lantern, 8-2-23

SATH to Sponsor Cutie Pie, Cutie Pet Contests at Highland County Fair

The Highland County Press, 8-2-23

The Future of Design is Designing for Disability

The Nation, 8-1-23

Horse Riders Thrive in Show for People with Challenges

WKYC, 8-1-23

WrestleFit Program Helps Disabled Reynoldsburg Man Step into the Ring

WBNS, 7-31023

Decorah Artist Lauren Bonney Receives the 2023 Midwest Award for Artists with Disabilities

Decorah News, 7-30-23

Tech It Out: Visitors Get Look at Assistive Technology in TwinTech 2.0 Model Home

BG Independent News, 7-29-23

More Americans Than Ever Report a Disability

The Economist, 7-28-23

Power of Sport Summit Shows Everyone Can Be a Winner

Cleveland.com, 7-28-23

Accessible Ohio, Making Ohio Destinations More Inclusive to All

Even Grounds Blog, 7-27-23

Universal Accessibility Card

WDW News Today, 7-13-23

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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.