54 Years of Serving Ohioans with Disabilities

Opportunities for Ohioans with Disabilities sent this bulletin at 06/07/2024 10:00 AM EDT

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54 Years of Serving Ohioans with Disabilities

Director Miller smiling - and video play button

As June 10, 2024, approaches, we commemorate the 54^th anniversary of Opportunities for Ohioans with Disabilities (OOD), reflecting on our efforts to serve Ohioans with disabilities. We honor our achievements, acknowledging the growth and transformation that define us today while renewing our commitment.

On this significant day in 1970, Governor James A. Rhodes enacted House Bill 929, establishing an independent seven-member commission entrusted with directing Ohio's Vocational Rehabilitation (VR) program. This pivotal legislation brought together the Bureau of Vocational Rehabilitation, the Bureau of Services for the Blind, and the Bureau of Disability Determination under one unified umbrella, marking a milestone in our mission to serve.

OOD Director Kevin L. Miller shares more in this anniversary celebration video.

OOD Assists Job Seekers

Vet tech listens to cat's heartbeat. Text: In May 2024, we helped 408 people reach their goal of employment.

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.

Free Webinar Series for Businesses, Communities, Venues & Attractions

Sports playbook illustration. Text: The Accessible Ohio Playbook Session 6: The Game Plan.

Thursday, June 20, 2024

10 a.m. - 11 a.m.

OOD is pleased to host the final session in our six-part Accessible Ohio Playbook series titled, “The Game Plan.” This webinar will guide entities in taking the next step toward increased inclusion and share how Accessible Ohio can assist with identifying barriers and creating accessibility in programs, services, and environments. The presenters are Accessible Ohio Specialists Tanya Vela, OTR/L, ADAC and Shelly Burkhart, ADAC.

This event is hosted through Microsoft Teams Webinar. Pre-registration is required to attend. Please visit the registration site and complete a brief 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.

The State of Ohio is a disability inclusion state and therefore we promote access to our events (e.g., meetings, trainings, job fairs). To request a reasonable accommodation due to a disability, please call Chris Glover, Employer Services Liaison, at 614-842-3659, or send an email to OOD.HiringAbility@ood.ohio.gov by June 13, 2024.

This webinar has been approved for 1.00 HR (General) re-certification credit hour toward aPHR™, aPHRi™, PHR®, PHRca®, SPHR®, GPHR®, PHRi™ and SPHRi™ re-certification through HR Certification Institute® (HRCI®) and 1.00 SHRM Professional Development Credit (PDC) hour toward SHRM-CP® or SHRM-SCP®. While this training is not pre-approved for CESP Continuing Education (CE) credit, it aligns with CESP content, and verification of attendance will be provided upon request. These credits are available for attendees of the live broadcast.

All About Accessibility: Blacklick Woods Opens a New Accessible Canopy Walk

Elevated walking path with guardrails among the tree tops at Blacklick Woods metro park.

If you enjoy the outdoors and want ideas for exploring nature, look no further than Blacklick Woods. Columbus & Franklin County Metro Parks opened a new Canopy Walk at Blacklick Woods on Friday, May 17.

Park visitors can access the new treetop experience via an ADA-approved elevator—or take the stairs up to the trail 35 feet above. An observation deck is another 20 feet higher, allowing parkgoers to get a bird’s eye view of Blacklick’s 652 beautiful acres of woods, fields, swamps, ponds, and prairies.

Jill Snyder, Visitor Engagement Manager for Metro Parks, is excited about the new Canopy Walk at Blacklick. “The big thing is that it’s ADA accessible.” If you need a break from the outdoors, Snyder also recommends checking out the Nature Center next to the walk. The center features local and natural history exhibits, observation windows for viewing wildlife, and an accessible restroom.

Visit Metro Parks Blacklick Woods for more information, including directions, a park map, trails, shelters & lodges, programs, and activities.

In the News

New Butler County Developmental Disabilities Superintendent Focuses on Clients, Families

Journal-News, 6-4-24

26^th Annual Adaptive Golf Clinic for Golfers with Physical Disabilities, Therapists Set for June 28

The Highland County Press, 6-3-24

JCBDD Learns How Important Its Services Are

The Weirton Daily Times, 6-1-24

Meade Makes History with Appointment to Darke DD Board

Daily Advocate, 6-1-24

Happy 50^th Anniversary, SSI

Social Security Administration Press Office, 6-4-24

Anthropologie Taps Influencers and the Wider Disability Community to Launch Its First Adaptive Collection

Glossy, 6-4-24

Researchers Find a Single, Surprising Gene Behind a Disorder That Causes Intellectual Disability

Associated Press, 5-31-24

Lessons from Ohio: How State Agency Apprenticeships Can Serve Young Adults with Disabilities

CAPE-Youth Blog, 5-7-24

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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 the Independent Living (IL) Program, the federal grant 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.