 Arielle Bigler at Meijer in Maron, Ohio.
Arielle Bigler was short on confidence when starting a new job search last year, as many people are following a layoff. Today, she’s a valued member of the Meijer team in her community. Arielle’s return to work highlights her abilities and showcases the difference vocational rehabilitation can make in the lives of people with disabilities.
Arielle is the third of four sisters growing up in Marion, Ohio. She is a hard-working young lady with a heart of gold—and an intellectual disability that can make it challenging to communicate with those who don’t know her.
Arielle’s family was no stranger to vocational rehabilitation when she first worked with Opportunities for Ohioans with Disabilities (OOD) to find a job in 2019. The family had some experience with OOD through her sister, who had previously received vocational rehabilitation services from Marion Goodwill Industries, an OOD provider in their community. Sherry Stapleton, a job developer at Marion Goodwill, provided OOD services to both sisters.
Unfortunately, Arielle was laid off after nearly three years at her first job, which prompted her family to contact OOD for additional support. Arielle was eager to return to work, but the experience with her previous employer left her lacking the confidence she needed to start a new job search.
Audrey Moore, OOD Senior Vocational Rehabilitation Counselor, listened to Arielle’s experiences and job goals to understand what she would need to reach those goals. Then Audrey reconnected Arielle with Sherry for a new job search that included job-seeking skills training. Sherry took Arielle to multiple interviews and supported her during each until they found a great job match at Meijer in Marion.
Sherry accompanied Arielle throughout the orientation process at Meijer, including watching onboarding videos for four days. When it came to learning her new role, Arielle was glad to have Sherry with her at every step. Audrey also regularly checked in with Arielle to ensure she was getting what she needed. According to Arielle, Audrey is “helpful and a nice person.”
Arielle’s coworkers at Meijer enjoy working with her, and her manager, Greg Bell, considers Arielle a huge part of the team at Meijer. "When she is not here at work, you can really notice the difference because she does an amazing job.” Greg notes how her confidence has grown quickly. “I feel that she has become more confident and assured in herself doing her job and knows she does good work.”
Audrey emphasizes that closing a case doesn’t mean OOD goes away. "We have an individualized approach. It’s not cookie-cutter. We meet you where you’re at and help you get to where an employer needs you to be.”
Sherry Stapleton says, “I don't think there's a better organization to help people with disabilities. Audrey was there, working hand-in-hand with us through the entire process. The counselors truly care about the people they work with; they aren’t in it for the money. They put their hearts into it and elevate assistance for people with disabilities to a new level.”
If you or somebody you know has a disability and would like to work, visit OODWorks.com or call 800-282-4536.
 Lionel Aldridge (1941-1998): A former Green Bay Packer and Super Bowl champion, Aldridge, who had schizophrenia, raised awareness about mental health and its impact on athletes. His journey demonstrates the importance of breaking stigmas and fostering understanding, inspiring young athletes to prioritize mental well-being alongside physical fitness in their pursuit of success.
 Together with local Centers for Independent Living across Ohio, OOD partners with the Ohio Statewide Independent Living Council to host summer Youth Leadership Forums for high school students with disabilities interested in becoming one of Ohio’s future leaders.
The Ohio Regional Youth Leadership Forum is a week-long career leadership training program designed to improve leadership, citizenship, and social skills. Six of Ohio’s regional Centers for Independent Living offer an in-person forum during the summer months of June, July, or August. More information about dates, times, and locations for 2024 events is coming soon.
This spring, the Ohio Statewide Independent Living Council will begin accepting leadership forum applications from students eligible or potentially eligible for OOD services.
For more information, reach out to your OOD Vocational Rehabilitation Counselor, visit the OSILC Youth Leadership Forum webpage, or contact Christina Carpenter at ccarpenter@ohiosilc.org or 614-809-1513.
 The OOD Council meeting on January 17, 2024.
The OOD Council Vocational Rehabilitation Policy Subcommittee will conduct an in-person meeting for OOD Council members and the public on Wednesday, March 6, 2024, beginning at 10:00 a.m.
The meeting will take place 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 is available on the OOD website.
Public comments or correspondence should be submitted to info@OOD.Ohio.Gov by the close of business on Friday, March 1, 2024.
For more information about the meeting, please visit the OOD Council meetings webpage.
 Rare Disease Day, which takes place on the last day of February each year, seeks to raise awareness about rare diseases and their impact on individuals' lives.
The campaign calls for people living with a rare disease to have equal opportunities to realize their full participation in family, work, and social life. Learn more at RareDiseaseDay.org.
 Voicecorps is a reading service for people who cannot read due to a medical condition. Volunteers read aloud newspapers, print publications, and shopping flyers.
Individuals who cannot read print because of a disability, including Ohioans who are blind or have low vision, are eligible for Voicecorps’ service. In addition to reading print materials, the program schedule features service organization highlights, including OOD’s Bureau of Services for the Visually Impaired, (BSVI), consumer advocacy meetings, special events, and more.
You can hear Voicecorps using a free Voicecorps radio, digital television, a smart device such as Alexa, or using a computer, tablet, or smartphone. To learn more about tuning in to Voicecorps, please call 614-274-7650 or visit Voicecorps.org.
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