 Rabbi Areyah Kaltmann, Lt. Governor Jim Tressel, OOD Director Kevin L. Miller, and DODD Director Kim Hauck pause to observe life skills learning in the simulated village at LifeTown during their visit on February 27, 2025.
Last week, Ohio Lt. Governor Jim Tressel visited LifeTown Columbus, a simulated town that serves children with special needs. Accompanied by Kevin L. Miller, Director of Opportunities for Ohioans with Disabilities (OOD) and Kim Hauck, Director of the Ohio Department of Developmental Disabilities (DODD), the Lt. Governor was hosted by Rabbi Areyah Kaltmann during this visit.
LifeTown is designed to resemble a functioning city, crafted by special education professionals to foster the development of crucial life skills. This safe and nurturing space helps students build their skills while having fun.
During visits, teachers tailor students’ LifeTown lessons to their specific needs, aligning with the goals outlined in their Individualized Education Programs (IEPs). LifeTown focuses on enhancing competencies in key areas such as personal and social skills, independent living, and pre-employment readiness. Typically, groups of students visit LifeTown five to six times each year.
The day culminated in the LifeTown Day of Service, where various state leaders volunteered in engaging roles, including bankers, cashiers, librarians, hair stylists, doctors, dentists, and deli servers. Lt. Governor Tressel served as honorary mayor at the event and took orders at the city’s deli. Students from multiple school districts participated.
In his remarks, Lt. Governor Tressel praised Ohio’s commitment to supporting individuals with disabilities through our two dedicated agencies, OOD and DODD. His visit highlighted the importance of collaboration in enhancing the lives of students with disabilities.
In recognition of Developmental Disabilities Awareness Month this March, we invite you to hear from OOD Director Kevin L. Miller and DODD Director Kim Hauck.
In this video about supporting Ohioans with developmental disabilities, you will gain insights into collaborative efforts, including:
- The Employment First initiative and its ongoing efforts to expand community employment opportunities.
- The innovative Works4Me program, supported by a five-year federal grant, and its objectives for competitive integrated employment.
- Collaborative strategies for fostering integration and greater independence for individuals with developmental disabilities.
This month and every month let’s come together to support Ohioans with developmental disabilities. Each person has unique strengths and qualities that enrich our communities. Your support makes a real difference!
 Mark Wood fills vending machines at an interstate rest area in Ohio.
On March 6, 2025, we commemorated National Vending Day by honoring the remarkable work of our 70 Business Enterprise (BE) Operators. Among them is Mark Wood, who has proudly served as a BE Operator at an interstate rest area in Ohio since 2014. Mark shares his perspective on the value of self-employment, stating, “Being self-employed is great, and it really boosts the self-worth of people with disabilities.”
OOD’s BE Program is dedicated to creating entrepreneurial careers in food service and vending for licensed operators who are legally blind. These skilled individuals manage cafeterias, convenience stores, snack bars, and vending machines in various settings, including state and federal buildings, highway rest areas, and state universities. Thanks to the Randolph-Sheppard Act and Ohio Revised Code, they have priority in these settings.
Join us in celebrating the achievements of our BE Operators and the positive impact they have on their communities!
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.
Join us on March 19, 2025, from 10:00 – 11:00 a.m., as we host a webinar titled, “Utilizing ADA Tools." We will share how the 2010 Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) Standards for Accessible Design, the ADA Checklist for Existing Facilities, and the Guide to the ADA Accessibility Standards can assist you along your accessible journey. This webinar will address:
- Resources that will assist in making environments accessible,
- How to best utilize these resources and how they complement each other, and
- Ways to apply these resources throughout your workplace and community spaces.
Presenters
Brianna Seth, OTR/L, ADAC, OOD Accessible Ohio Specialist
Brian Crowe, OOD Business Relations Specialist
Registration
This event is hosted through Microsoft Teams Webinar. Pre-registration is required to attend. Please visit the registration site to 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.
Accommodation Requests
The State of Ohio is a disability inclusion state; 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 March 12, 2025.
Credit Hours
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.
Voicecorps is a reading service for people who cannot read due to medical conditions. Volunteers read aloud newspapers, print publications, and shopping flyers.
Individuals who cannot read print because of a disability, including Ohioans who are blind or have low vision, are eligible for Voicecorps’ service. In addition to reading print materials, the program schedule features service organization highlights, including OOD’s Bureau of Services for the Visually Impaired (BSVI), consumer advocacy meetings, special events, and more.
You can hear Voicecorps using a free Voicecorps radio, digital television, a smart device such as Alexa, or using a computer, tablet, or smartphone. To learn more about tuning in to Voicecorps, please call 614-274-7650 or visit Voicecorps.org.
Dayton Art Institute Unveils Universal Changing Table
Spectrum News, 3-4-25
Akron Municipal Courthouse Installs Universal Changing Station
Downtown Akron Partnership News Release, 3-4-25
County Board of Developmental Disabilities Announces March as DD Awareness Month
Perry County Tribune, 3-4-25
Logan County Commissioners Proclaim March as Developmental Disabilities Awareness Month
Peak of Ohio, 3-4-25
TuscBDD Celebrates Developmental Disabilities Awareness Month
WJER, 3-4-25
New Cedar Point Disability Pass Process Revealed
The Advertiser-Tribune, 3-1-25
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