Join us for a video that showcases how Opportunities for Ohioans with Disabilities (OOD) and partners worked together in 2024 to break down barriers and create opportunities for individuals with disabilities.
In this video, hear firsthand from participants like Nolan, Lariyah, Holly, and James who are embracing their potential, connecting with supportive communities, and finding their place in the workforce. You'll also learn about impactful partnerships and events to match job seekers with employers and create a more accessible Ohio.
In 2025, our vision remains clear: to support individuals with disabilities in leading fulfilling, independent lives. Through strategic partnerships and ongoing support for Ohioans with disabilities, we're not just opening doors—we're helping individuals confidently step through them.
 OOD’s new webinar series for 2025 aims to foster both community and workplace inclusion for Ohioans with disabilities.
“Everyone has a role to play in making sure people with disabilities are welcomed and supported in our communities and workplaces,” said Ohio Governor Mike DeWine. “This year’s webinar series is another step forward in our ongoing efforts in Ohio to promote inclusion and accessibility, and to empower all people to reach their full, God-given potential.”
“We invite you to join us for valuable insights on how to create communities and workplaces that are not only accessible but also embrace individuals with disabilities,” said OOD Director Kevin L. Miller. “The series culminates with three webinars designed to equip employers with the tools they need to foster disability-inclusive workplaces.”
Webinar Schedule
- January 15: Accessible Communications
- February 19: Website Accessibility
- March 19: Utilizing ADA Tools
- April 17: All About Service Animals
- May 21: Technology in the Workplace
- June 18: Safety and Emergency Management
- July 16: All About Sensory Inclusion
- September 17: Disability-Inclusive Workplaces: Inclusive Leadership
- October 22: Disability-Inclusive Workplaces: Attracting Diverse Talent
- November 20: Disability-Inclusive Workplaces: Retaining Diverse Talent
All webinars begin at 10 a.m. and will be Microsoft Teams webinars. Each webinar will be recorded and archived for future viewing. More information and registration links to all upcoming webinars can be found at Employer Events. People who participate in these webinars can earn professional development credits. More information is included below.
The no-cost webinar series marks the latest example of the administration’s commitment to making Ohio a national leader in accessibility.
Moments after taking the oath of office, one of Governor DeWine’s first actions was signing an executive order establishing Ohio as a Disability Inclusion State and Model Employer of Individuals with Disabilities.
Under Governor DeWine’s leadership, OOD also launched Accessible Ohio. Through this initiative, Accessible Ohio Specialists work directly with communities, businesses, and other local partners to identify opportunities to enhance accessibility.
Accessible Ohio is one of many ways OOD supports and promotes businesses that prioritize inclusivity. OOD offers a bevy of information for employers, including an Inclusive Employer Toolkit designed to help employers recruit, hire, and retain employees with disabilities and foster an inclusive workplace.
OOD also recently awarded its annual Governor’s Inclusive Employer Award, which serves as an opportunity to spotlight businesses in Ohio that go above and beyond in supporting individuals with disabilities in the workplace.
Webinar Credit Information
Each 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.
 Moments after taking office on January 14, 2019, Governor DeWine signed executive order 2019-03D establishing Ohio as a Disability Inclusion State and Model Employer of Individuals with Disabilities, requiring all state agencies to increase recruitment, hiring, and advancement of people with disabilities.
Governor DeWine created a state ADA (Americans with Disabilities Act) coordinator position to help establish Ohio as a leader in disability inclusion. The Ohio Department of Administrative Services partnered with OOD to develop disability etiquette and awareness training for all state employees.
In 2019, OOD developed the Ohio Vocational Apprentice Program for students and adults with disabilities to assist them in gaining access to state government employment. The program successfully placed its 100th participant in an apprenticeship this week, continuing its mission to help individuals secure permanent employment in state government upon completion of the program.
The Governor’s Inclusive Employer Award began in 2021, which is an annual award to employers who meet the criteria for having a workplace inclusive of individuals with disabilities. OOD is responsible for determining the criteria for the award and promoting participation by Ohio employers. Giant Eagle received the 2024 Inclusive Employer Award.
Building on this commitment, Governor DeWine and Lt. Governor Jon Husted's operating budget for OOD introduced a pioneering initiative, Accessible Ohio in 2023. This program aims to foster accessibility and inclusivity across Ohio’s businesses, venues, attractions, and communities for individuals with disabilities by prioritizing accessibility, promoting inclusiveness, and ensuring equitable experiences for all. Accessible Ohio Specialists collaborate with local partners to identify barriers, set accessibility goals, and offer information about funding resources to foster a stronger, more inclusive Ohio community.
 Khristine Brenning, Disability Claims Adjudicator for OOD's Division of Disability Determination (DDD), has been awarded the prestigious Associate Commissioner Adjudicator of the Year for the Ohio DDS (Disability Determination Services) Award for FFY 2024 by the Social Security Administration Associate Commissioner. This recognition highlights her outstanding contributions to Ohioans with disabilities and her commitment to excellence in her role.
Khristine's exceptional performance is characterized by a high volume of work and impressive accuracy rates. Over the past year, she conducted five one-on-one shadowing sessions with probationary staff and two sessions with tenured staff. Additionally, she presented two Probationary Class Refresher Trainings and volunteered as a Unit Helper for the March 2023 class of probationary Disability Claims Adjudicators. In this capacity, she provided ongoing case guidance to second-year adjudicators, reviewed their work, and assisted other helpers and five different supervisors in their review processes.
Her dedication and hard work have not gone unnoticed. Khristine has received multiple internal DDD awards from supervisors and was commended for her thorough case processing and excellent public service, particularly for her detailed analysis of policy matters.
Beyond her mentoring responsibilities, Khristine has collaborated with area staff and supervisors on the use of IMAGEN, a decision-support tool employed by the SSA to enhance efficiency and accuracy in disability determinations. Throughout the year, she assisted ten different adjudicators within DD, contributing to 137 cases by writing determinations for 48 cases and drafting assessment forms for 37 cases.
Khristine Brenning's exceptional performance, dedication to mentoring, and significant contributions to improving processes make her a deserving recipient of the Associate Commissioner Adjudicator of the Year Award. Congratulations!
January is National Glaucoma Awareness Month, a time to spread the word about this sight-stealing disease and the importance of regular eye examinations to preserve vision. According to the Glaucoma Research Foundation, more than three million Americans have glaucoma, and experts estimate that half of them do not know they have it. Learn more about glaucoma, request a free educational booklet, and find tips to raise awareness at Glaucoma.org.
The OOD Bureau of Services for the Visually Impaired helps Ohioans with low vision and blindness. The program provides individuals, ages 14 and up, with direct, personalized services to assist them in finding and keeping meaningful work and personal independence. Get started today at OODWorks.com or call 800-282-4536.
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