 Staff have been connecting with OOD participants, like Madison Henschen, at the mobile unit during the Ohio State Fair. With help from Andrew Ellis, OOD Vocational Rehabilitation Counselor, and Capabilities, a provider of vocational rehabilitation, Madison has been succeeding in her job at a school cafeteria for four years.
The 2024 Ohio State Fair wraps up this weekend on Sunday, August 4, 2024. Opportunities for Ohioans with Disabilities (OOD) and the Ohio State Fair are continuing their commitment to accessibility, including:
- Free wheelchair and mobility device charging stations throughout the fairgrounds
- Aira for free remote assistance and navigation for individuals who are blind or have low vision
- Audio descriptions within the Ohio State Fair app
- American Sign Language interpretation at major events and concerts
- Two universal changing stations
- The OOD mobile unit providing information on services and fair accessibility
- A quiet room
- Service animal relief areas
- An accessible playground
 Katie Scheetz, OOD Program Manager for Deaf Services and the Personal Care Assistance Program, helps a fairgoer fingerspell her name in American Sign Language (ASL). OOD has been offering an ASL stamping activity at the mobile unit at the Ohio State Fair.
Discover more at OOD’s Ohio State Fair news webpage or the Ohio State Fair’s accessibility webpage. For questions, reach out to info@expo.ohio.gov or call 614-644-3247.
 Following a serious car accident in 2006, Dustin Brunton from Licking County found himself struggling to thrive. The accident resulted in a traumatic brain injury, cracked spine, and pulmonary embolism that left him unemployed with mobility issues and chronic pain. He was physically, emotionally, and financially drained.
Dustin isn’t sure what made him go to OOD’s website, but that click was life-changing. He applied and was determined eligible for OOD services, then paired with OOD Vocational Rehabilitation Counselor Josh Hann, who supported him in setting an employment goal and determining what would be needed to reach it.
Dustin had several options for vocational rehabilitation providers, and he chose Greenleaf Job Training Services in Columbus. Dan Woodburn, Greenleaf Vocational Rehabilitation Manager, worked with Dustin to assess his physical and technical abilities and determine how best to focus their job prep time. James Ellison, a Greenleaf Job Coach, helped him create a resume, practice interviewing, and rebuild the professional and social skills that had become stagnant while he was out of the workforce.
As part of his individualized plan of employment, Josh arranged for Dustin to attend the Career & Technology Education Centers of Licking County to brush up on skills to set him up for success. Josh also arranged for an office chair designed to support his back which, along with the flexibility to get up and walk around when needed, would increase his stamina during the workday.
“Josh treated me like a person. I felt like someone cared about me. He checked in with me and gave me a connection to the world when I was feeling shut out.”
Greenleaf appreciated Dustin’s character and personality so much that they offered him an open position on their staff; another job offer came in through the Education Service Center of Central Ohio for an AmeriCorps Mentoring and Tutoring position at Par Excellence STEM Academy, helping students in second-fourth grades develop reading and math skills. Dustin accepted the job with the school, seeing how much teachers needed the help and knowing the children didn’t have this type of support at home.
Dustin’s success in the contract role at Par Excellence led them to create a new position for him leveraging his marketing background. He started as a tutor and now he supervises the tutors, participates in community outreach, and helps with marketing and a web-based occupational therapy program for children with special needs.
When he felt forgotten and ran out of options, Dustin’s perseverance and courage compelled him to contact OOD for assistance.
“OOD helped me feel seen. I don’t want those kids to go through life like I did—feeling forgotten because they are different. OOD didn’t forget me, and now I want to pay it forward.”
If you or someone you know has a disability and would like to work, visit OODWorks.com or call 800-282-4536.
 OOD invites you to share your ideas as we continue into year two of the Accessible Ohio program. Please join us for the Accessible Ohio Feedback Forum on Wednesday, August 21, 2024, at 10 a.m.
Accessible Ohio reinforces Governor Mike DeWine’s Executive Order which established Ohio as a disability inclusion state and a model employer of individuals with disabilities. Our team’s mission is to prioritize accessibility from the start, promote inclusiveness, and ensure everyone can experience Ohio in an equitable way. Accessible Ohio is a resource for Ohio’s businesses, communities, venues, attractions, and employers by providing consultations, education, and resources.
Join us to provide valuable feedback as we reflect on the first year of the program and share our plans for the second year. We seek your input on these plans as we strive to make Ohio more accessible and inclusive for all.
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 August 14, 2024. American Sign Language interpretation will be provided for this event.
 The OOD Council meeting on January 17, 2024.
The OOD Council will conduct an in-person meeting for OOD Council members and the public on Wednesday, August 14, 2024, beginning at 10 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 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, August 9, 2024. For more information about the meeting, please visit the OOD Council meetings webpage.
 Ohio sets aside at least three days each year (including the first Friday, Saturday, and Sunday in August) for consumers to buy certain items without sales tax. This sales tax holiday helps families buy clothing, supplies, and more items their children may need to be successful in the coming school year.
The 2024 sales tax holiday began on Tuesday, July 30 and continues until 11:59 p.m. Thursday, August 8. Visit the Ohio Department of Taxation webpage for more details.
 Enhance your social media presence with Accessible Ohio's social media accessibility guide. This resource helps content creators make their social media accessible to everyone, ensuring equitable access to information, entertainment, and opportunities.
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- Alt Text for Images and Videos
- Effective Captions and Transcripts
- Color Contrast and Readable Fonts
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- Accessible Hashtags and Emojis
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Whether for communication, entertainment, recruitment, or advertising, our guide ensures your social media content connects with everyone. Access our social media accessibility guide today and start making a difference!
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