Charity Bauer's Unstoppable Journey

Opportunities for Ohioans with Disabilities sent this bulletin at 12/08/2023 10:01 AM EST

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Charity Bauer's Unstoppable Journey

Charity Bauer exemplifies how barriers can be shattered and goals can be reached, even when faced with challenges.

Growing up in Oklahoma, Charity, who is blind, had a strong role model in her grandfather, who was also blind. He worked as a Vocational Rehabilitation Counselor, serving transition-age students. When Charity moved to Ohio, she remembered that every state has a vocational rehabilitation agency that can help individuals with disabilities get and keep a job. Following a Google search, Charity found Opportunities for Ohioans with Disabilities (OOD) and got started with services.

With support from Patty Koehnlein, OOD Vocational Rehabilitation Counselor, and Jennifer Renaldy, OOD Job Developer, Charity navigated her career path, from her initial struggles to eventual success as a Senior Resolution Coordinator with Walmart.

Charity shares her journey in OOD Works Podcast episode 51. Tune in wherever you listen to podcasts by searching "OOD Works." Transcripts and MP3 files are available at ood.ohio.gov/podcast.

OOD Assists Job Seekers

If you or somebody you know has a disability and would like to work, reach out to OOD today. Vocational Rehabilitation Counselors can help you explore your options. Visit OODWorks.com or call 800-282-4536 to get started.

Seeking Public Comment on Combined State Plan

Every four years, Ohio creates a Combined State Plan to better align the state’s largest workforce programs to better connect businesses to qualified workers. This week, Ohio released the draft of its Combined State Plan for a 30-day public comment period. The plan covers July 1, 2024 through June 30, 2028 for all of the following programs:

Title I of the federal Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA), which funds county OhioMeansJobs Centers and job training and job search assistance programs for adults, dislocated workers, and low-income youth
The Wagner-Peyser Act Program, which funds a variety of employment services to connect job seekers and employers
Adult Basic and Literacy Education (known as ASPIRE), which funds GED preparation, adult math, reading, and literacy courses
OOD’s Vocational Rehabilitation program, which supports vocational rehabilitation programs for individuals with disabilities
Carl D. Perkins Career and Technical Education, which provides funding for career technical training for secondary and post-secondary students
Senior Community Service Employment Program, which is a community service and work-based job training program for older Ohioans
Jobs for Veterans State Grants Programs, which helps veterans find jobs through employment services at local OhioMeansJobs Centers

Ohio’s Combined State Plan is built through the collaboration of various state agencies and stakeholders to incorporate programs required under WIOA.

To view the draft plan or offer comment, please visit jfs.ohio.gov/combinedstateplan. The online portal will be open to public comment until 5 p.m. on January 4, 2024.

All About Accessibility: Be My Eyes & Microsoft Partner to Provide Visual Support

Be My Eyes and Microsoft’s Disability Answer Desk have introduced Be My AI™, an artificial intelligence (AI)-powered visual customer service tool tailored for individuals who are blind or have low vision. Be My AI™ offers detailed image descriptions and support for tasks ranging from explaining complex Excel formulas to aiding in software installations. In cases where AI assistance isn’t sufficient, calls can be transferred to a live agent for further assistance. To learn more, visit the Be My Eyes website.

In the News

Portage County’s Special Courts Offer Second Chances: “It’s My Happy Place”

The Portager, 12-6-23

COTA Partners with Magnusmode to Provide Better Accessibility to All Riders

Mass Transit, 12-6-23

Connect Program in Akron Supports People with Developmental Disabilities in Court System

WKYC, 12-4-23

Westlake Library Showcase Connects Parents with Learning Disability Resources

Cleveland.com, 12-4-23

Tri-State Nonprofit Crafts Custom Toys for Children with Disabilities

WKRC, 12-3-23

Wood County Board of Developmental Disabilities Begins Work for Two Multi-System Youth Homes

Sentinel-Tribune, 12-3-23

Eastwood Event Centre Hosts Holiday Event for People with Disabilities

WFMJ, 12-3-23

Tips on Traveling with Disabilities

The News-Review

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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) 2023, OOD received $105,851,906 in federal funds. Funds appropriated by the State covered 21.3 % of the total costs, or $28,648,610. Of these federal funds, $15,877,786 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 2023, OOD received $301,051 for SE Youth with a Disability, and State appropriated funds paid the remaining 10%, or $33,450 of the total costs. In FFY 2023, OOD received $301,051 in regular SE grant funds.

For the purposes of the Independent Living Services for Older Individuals Who are Blind (OIB) Program, the federal grant received from DOE in FFY 2023 paid 90% of the total costs incurred under the program. In FFY 2023, OOD received $1,159,083 in federal grant funds. Funds appropriated by the State paid the 10% required match, or $128,787 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 2023. In FFY 2023, OOD received $645,712 in federal grant funds. Funds appropriated by the State paid the 10% required match, or $71,746 of the total costs incurred under the IL Program.