 In 2022, Carl DeForest began his path toward becoming a police officer through Opportunities for Ohioans with Disabilities (OOD). His dream was clear: to serve and protect his community. However, Carl faced a significant challenge — he is hard of hearing. Undeterred, he remained resolute in his desire to enroll in the police academy and pursue a career in law enforcement.
However, the path to achieving his dream was anything but easy. The application process for becoming a police officer is complex, requiring extensive training, written and practical testing, multiple interviews, and various fees. Plus, Carl had the additional consideration of his hearing loss. He faced doubts and uncertainty, grappling with the reality that meeting his goal would require extraordinary effort and resilience.
Tracy Yalanty, Carl’s OOD Vocational Rehabilitation Counselor, recognized his ambition and persistence. She became a steadfast supporter, guiding him through the challenges he faced. In addition to Tracy’s assistance, Kate Reis from AllWork, Inc., a vocational rehabilitation provider, joined the effort, ensuring Carl had the resources and encouragement he needed. Together, they provided him with vocational training, American Sign Language interpreting, clothing assistance, and support in covering testing and application fees.
With their help, Carl navigated the demanding six-month police academy training from January to June 2023, where he excelled and graduated with remarkable success. Subsequently, he embarked on an extensive job search with the support of Tracy and Kate. He applied for not only police officer positions but also roles in security and related fields. Despite encountering numerous rejections and a lengthy year of searching, Carl persevered. He consistently networked and followed up on contacts, utilizing his support system through frequent updates and discussions.
Finally, in October 2024, Carl received an offer from the village of Highland Hills, a suburb on Cleveland’s east side. His excitement was evident as he shared pictures and videos from his swearing-in ceremony. On November 18, 2024, Carl was sworn in. “I’m proud to be the first Deaf police officer in Ohio, the first Afro-American Deaf police officer in the United States, and the third Deaf police officer in the entire country.” After completing a refresher course in February 2025, he began his role in March 2025.
OOD assisted Carl with the cost of his uniforms and provided assistive technology that connects his hearing aids to his police radio. Carl expressed his gratitude for OOD’s support, stating, “For me, this journey has been about proving capabilities, breaking barriers, and serving the community.” He emphasized his perseverance despite challenges, attributing his success to his unwavering belief in himself and the support of OOD.
If you or someone you know has a disability and is interested in working, visit OODWorks.com or call 800-282-4536.
 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 February 18, 2026, from 10:00 to 11:00 AM as we host a webinar titled “All About Funding for Accessibility and Accommodations.” In this webinar, we will guide HR professionals, managers, and organizational leaders through key funding strategies available to support accessibility and accommodations. Whether you're just starting your accessibility journey or looking to enhance your current efforts, this session will equip you with practical tools and funding knowledge to make meaningful progress.
This webinar will address:
- Strategies for planning and budgeting for accessibility and accommodations;
- Federal tax incentives available to organizations that invest in accessibility improvements and workplace accommodations; and
- How grant opportunities can support disability-inclusive efforts.
Presenters
Shelly Burkhart, ADAC, Accessible Ohio Specialist, Northwest Ohio
Samantha Nousak, Ph.D., Accessible Ohio Specialist, East Central Ohio
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 with a 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 February 11, 2026.
Credit Hours
This webinar has been approved for 1.00 HR (General) recertification credit hour toward aPHR™, aPHRi™, PHR®, PHRca®, SPHR®, GPHR®, PHRi™, and SPHRi™ recertification 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.
 Fueled by the discrimination she faced, Johnnie Lacy became a prominent activist for the Black Disability community and the Independent Living Movement. When polio left her paralyzed, Johnnie was initially denied access to higher education due to her disability. She was ultimately allowed to attend San Francisco State University, and after graduation, she helped create the Berkeley Center for Independent Living. Her lifetime of advocacy also helped pave the way for the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA).
 We’re excited to launch the Accessible Ohio Blog—a resource for practical tips, tools, and examples to advance disability inclusion across Ohio. Our first post, “Screen Reader Advancements for 2026,” highlights updates to JAWS, NVDA, VoiceOver, and TalkBack and explains what they mean for users and the teams that build accessible experiences.
Check back monthly for new blog pieces—each will also be featured in this newsletter.
 Each Presidents' Day, OOD honors the legacy of leadership that continues to inspire our team and our nation. Our office will be closed on February 16, 2026, in recognition of this year’s state and federal holiday.
The OOD Works e-Newsletter will return on Friday, February 20, 2026. Stay tuned!
Wheelchair Rugby, Basketball, and More: Adaptive Sports in the Columbus Area
The Lantern, 2-2-26
Snow Trails Hosts Ski Event for Disabled Veterans & Families Feb. 5 to 7
Richland Source, 2-1-26
Journey League Builds Basketball Skills and Belonging for Special Needs Athletes
WKEF, 1-31-26
Delaware Store Opens, Provides Jobs for Ohioans with Disabilities
WCMH, 1-30-26
Lima Senior DECA Students Donate $1,000 to Special Olympics
Hometown Stations, 1-28-26
Italy Gets Creative as it Works to Make Art Accessible for Blind People
Associated Press, 2-4-26
Some Blind Fans to Experience Super Bowl with Tactile Device That Tracks Ball
ABC News, 1-29-26
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