Celebrating Success for Ohioans with Disabilities: OOD's Milestones in 2024

Opportunities for Ohioans with Disabilities sent this bulletin at 12/13/2024 10:09 AM EST

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Celebrating Success for Ohioans with Disabilities: OOD's Milestones in 2024

2024 Executive Team and Director Miller in the lobby of the Central Office.

As we enjoy the holiday season and wrap up the year, we invite you to watch our year-in-review video showcasing achievements in 2024. Hear from our dedicated team as they highlight:

Record-breaking service to over 42,000 Ohioans with disabilities
Expanded partnerships and programs
Exceptional performance in disability determination
Launch of the groundbreaking Accessible Ohio initiative
Debut of our mobile unit, bringing resources to underserved areas

Learn how OOD is transforming lives and building a more inclusive Ohio. Watch now to see the faces behind our mission and discover the impact of your support. Join us in celebrating 50+ years of empowering Ohioans with disabilities and get excited for what's to come in 2025!

Warm regards,

Kevin L. Miller, OOD Director

OOD Assists Job Seekers

In November 2024, we helped 415 people reach their goal of emlpoyment.

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.

Navigating Mental Health Insurance

Department of Insurance Mental Health Insurance Assistance Office

Are you feeling overwhelmed by mental health insurance options? You're not alone. The Ohio Department of Insurance's Mental Health Insurance Assistance Office (MHIA) can help you navigate the complexities of your plan and coverage. Call toll-free: 1-855-GET-MHIA (1-855-438-644) or email: getmhia@insurance.ohio.gov.

All About Accessibility: New Online Tool to Help Patients Find Accessible Pharmacy Services

A pharmacist assisting a customer, who is holding a mobile device.

Ohio Board of Pharmacy Executive Director Steven W. Schierholt announced this week that Ohioans who have low vision, are hard of hearing, or require language translation services can now use a new online search tool to locate Ohio pharmacies that provide accessible services.

The new webpage, Pharmacy.Ohio.gov/Access, allows patients and caregivers of patients requiring such services to search for pharmacies in their area and find locations that best meet their needs.

“The launch of this convenient online search tool highlights the Board’s ongoing commitment to ensure pharmacy services are accessible to all Ohioans,” said Director Schierholt. “The Board is hopeful that this new webpage will help patients and their loved ones quickly identify pharmacies offering services they need to keep them healthy and safe.”

Patients and caregivers using the tool can select one county or several to search for pharmacies providing accessible services. Once an area is selected, users can select from several different options of what types of services they are interested in utilizing:

For patients with low vision: oversize font labels, prescription readers, braille labels, and more.
For patients who are hard of hearing: video relay services, teletypewriters, and more.
Specific language translation services by language, including Spanish, Chinese, Nepali, Somali, and more.

For instructions on how to use the webpage and a more detailed description of each of the accessible services listed within the tool, visit Pharmacy.Ohio.gov/SearchAccess.

This tool is made possible because of the implementation of a new rule earlier this year requiring all outpatient pharmacies in Ohio to notify the Board of Pharmacy of services they offer for patients with low vision, patients who are hard of hearing, and patients requiring language translation services. As part of the new rule, pharmacies that report offering these types of services must be able to provide them upon request.

In the News

University of Cincinnati Starts Ohio’s First Competitive Collegiate Adaptive Sports Program

The Ohio Newsroom, 12-11-24

University of Cincinnati's First Black, Deaf Assistant Dean Brings Disability Awareness to the Forefront on Campus

Spectrum News, 12-10-24

Reinventing Developmental Disability Service Delivery

Crain’s Cleveland Business, 12-9-24

Down Syndrome Association of Central Ohio Brings Holiday Joy Through Toys

The Columbus Dispatch, 12-8-24

Restrooms Around Montgomery County Add Changing Tables for People with Disabilities

Dayton Daily News, 12-6-24

Taking Root Farms Breaks Ground on $2 Million Facility for Adults with Disabilities

Richland Source, 12-6-24

Bridging the Gap: Transition Clinics for Young Adults with Disabilities

WALB, 12-6-24

Joyful Cafe: Spreading Kindness One Coffee at a Time

WEWS, 12-5-24

Lego Increases Disability Inclusion in Its Product Line

Disability Scoop, 12-10-24

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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) 2024, OOD received $166,384,030 in federal funds. Funds appropriated by the State covered 21.3 % of the total costs, or $45,031,510. Of these federal funds, $24,957,605 is set aside for Pre-ETS.

For purposes of the Works 4 Me program, OOD received 100% of its funding through the DOE Disability Innovation Fund grant. In FFY 2024, OOD received $716,175 for this program.

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 2024, OOD received $593,853 for SE Youth with a Disability, and State appropriated funds paid the remaining 10%, or $65,984 of the total costs. In FFY 2024, OOD received $593,853 in regular SE grant funds.

For purposes of the Independent Living Services for Older Individuals Who are Blind (OIB) Program, the federal grant received from DOE in FFY 2024 paid 90% of the total costs incurred under the program. In FFY 2024, OOD received $1,166,389 in federal grant funds. Funds appropriated by the State paid the 10% required match, or $129,599 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 2024. In FFY 2024, OOD received $646,297 in federal grant funds. Funds appropriated by the State paid the 10% required match, or $71,811 of the total costs incurred under the IL Program.