New ASL Promotional Video Showcasing OOD's Deaf Services

Opportunities for Ohioans with Disabilities sent this bulletin at 03/15/2024 10:01 AM EDT

Having trouble viewing this email? View it as a Web page.

New ASL Promotional Video Showcasing OOD's Deaf Services

A group including one man, and two women are watching a third woman use hand gestures. A group of individuals sits behind them in discussion.

Opportunities for Ohioans with Disabilities (OOD) is thrilled to announce the release of a brand-new promotional video, presented entirely in American Sign Language (ASL), to showcase our Deaf Services! Watch the ASL promotional video.

OOD is dedicated to providing personalized services to assist individuals who are Deaf, hard of hearing, DeafBlind, and DeafDisabled in gaining and maintaining meaningful work and personal independence. The newly released video promotes the range of services we provide, along with our partners, to empower the Deaf community.

Key highlights of our Deaf Services include:

Career counseling and guidance
Career services, like training and job-seeking support
Sign Language Interpretation and communication
Information and referral
Advocacy
Peer support

But the excitement doesn't stop there! We encourage you to be part of the movement by sharing this impactful video on your social media platforms. Your support helps raise awareness and ensures that information about Deaf Services reaches a broader audience.

Spread the Word on Social Media:

You can help us spread the word by sharing the Deaf Services video through the following steps:

Open https://youtu.be/JQq2TLXlCQc on a browser or within the YouTube app.
Below the video player, you'll see a "Share" button. Click on it.
You'll see various options to share the video, such as through social media platforms like Facebook, X/Twitter, or LinkedIn, or via email or messaging apps.
Choose the platform or method through which you want to share the video.
Follow the prompts to complete the sharing process, which may involve logging into your social media account or selecting recipients if sharing via email or messaging apps.
Once you've shared the video, others will be able to view it by clicking on the shared link or post.

Additionally, if you belong to an organization or know of one that could benefit from promoting Deaf Services through video content, please reach out to us at info@OOD.Ohio.Gov. We'll be delighted to provide the full downloadable video for sharing.

Thank you for being an essential part of our community and for joining us in celebrating the empowerment of the Deaf community.

OOD Revamps Deaf Services Webpage for Greater Inclusivity

screenshot of the Resources in A S L web page on O O D's website Deaf Services section

OOD has recently revamped our Deaf Services webpage to be even more inclusive and accessible. Our goal is to provide a seamless experience for everyone, and this update includes a wide range of American Sign Language (ASL) videos.

At OOD, we understand the unique needs of the Deaf and hard-of-hearing community, and this update is part of our ongoing commitment to enhance accessibility. Discover a wealth of ASL videos that explain the diverse range of services available to you.

By collaborating with our partners, we aim to provide essential support and communication services to individuals and communities. Our shared goal is to empower you with the information needed to fully integrate into employment and other activities, ensuring equal opportunities for all.

Visit our Deaf Services webpage today and explore the wealth of information at your fingertips. We're here to support your journey toward greater accessibility, inclusivity, and success. Check back often as additional videos and resources will be added throughout the year!

Celebrating Ohio Deaf History Month with State Library Initiatives

Man wearing hearing device and sharing his phone with a young female child.

The General Assembly of the State of Ohio passed legislation in 2017 designating March 13 - April 15 as Ohio Deaf History Month.

The State Library of Ohio has a vital partnership with the Ohio School for the Deaf, enhancing access to Deafness and interpreting-related resources. The collaboration includes a collection of over 400 items, available for circulation through the State Library's online catalog. Additionally, the Ohio Digital Library offers a diverse range of ebooks and videos, covering Deaf culture and ASL for all ages and interests. The State Library's commitment to promoting awareness and understanding of Deaf history and culture extends throughout Ohio's communities. Browse available items in the State Library’s Deafness & Outreach collection.

In addition, the Ohio Digital Library includes a collection of eBooks and videos about Deaf culture and ASL. The collection includes fiction and non-fiction for children and adults and covers many aspects of Deaf culture and ASL including language, history, education, and instruction.

Lt. Governor Announces Ohio Career Navigator

A female mechanic working underneath the hood of a car while a male mechanic observes.

Last week, Ohio Lt. Governor Jon Husted announced the launch of the Ohio Career Navigator, a new tool on OhioMeansJobs.com designed as a one-stop-shop for Ohioans to find resources that will help them obtain in-demand skills, advance their education, and achieve their career goals. The career navigator brings resources from across multiple state agencies into one place, making the process of finding relevant information faster and easier.

To get started, users will complete an easy-to-use survey that tailors personalized content and services for their specific needs. This unique approach then connects individuals with comprehensive and up-to-date information from state and external sources, empowering them to make informed decisions for a bright future in Ohio. The tool will continue to be improved upon as Ohioans and state agencies provide feedback.

Universal Design Living Laboratory

One man and three women stand facing and smiling at the camera. A fourth woman in a wheelchair sits in front of the group smiling at the camera.

Left to right: Director Miller, Tanya Vela, Rosemarie Rossetti, Kristen Ballinger, and Julie Wood.

OOD Director Kevin L. Miller, Deputy Director Kristen Ballinger, Accessible Ohio Manager Julie Wood, and Accessible Ohio Specialist Tanya Vela had the privilege of touring the Universal Design Living Laboratory in Gahanna. Hosted by Rosemarie Rossetti, a leading expert in disability inclusion, the home serves as a national demonstration of universal design principles.

Take a virtual tour with us and witness innovative designs that enhance accessibility for everyone.

We're excited about the possibilities and look forward to future partnerships in advancing accessibility and inclusivity!

All About Accessibility: Communication Card

Illustrations for I Am Deaf I Am Hard of Hearing cards

The Ohio Department of Public Safety’s Traffic Safety Office (OTSO), OOD, and statewide law enforcement partners developed a communication card to help individuals who are deaf or hard of hearing exchange information with law enforcement.

The card, which can be downloaded onto a phone or printed and stored inside a vehicle, wallet, or purse, includes various pictures that deaf and hard-of-hearing individuals can point to in order to help them more easily communicate during interactions with law enforcement.

Click here to download a PDF of the communication card, contact Deaf Services staff in your area.

In the News

Fresh Campaigns Urge Ad Creatives to Portray Disability Realistically

Forbes, 3-13-24

Apollo's Project SEARCH Students Take Part in Presentation Day at Mercy Health-St. Rita's

Hometown Stations, 3-13-24

Warren County Residents Discuss Life with a Disability and Star Trek at Developmental Disabilities Awareness Month Event

The Warren County Post, 3-13-24

Jefferson County's Leadership Summit Fosters Inclusion in Schools

WTOV, 3-13-24

Ohio Mom Finds Reward in Raising Adopted Daughter with Special Needs

Public News Service, 3-12-24

Auglaize DD Recognizes Members for Their Efforts

The Evening Leader, 3-12-24

Statement by Commissioner O’Malley on the President’s Fiscal Year 2025 Budget

Social Security Administration Press Release, 3-11-24

Program Aims to Help Human Trafficking Survivors with Disabilities

WKYC, 3-11-24

Glandorf Students Learn About Life with Disabilities

LimaOhio.com, 3-11-24

Bowling Event in Dayton to Strike Up Awareness

WDTN, 3-11-24

March Designated as Developmental Disabilities Month in Fulton, Henry Counties

Northwest Signal, 3-11-24

Grimm Joins Community Employment Services

Herald-Star, 3-9-24

Marion County Board of Developmental Disabilities Celebrates DD Awareness Month

Marion Star, 3-9-24

Follow OhioOOD

Manage Preferences

Request Help

Unsubscribe

Help us support more individuals with disabilities by forwarding this newsletter.

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.