OOD Works

Proposed Budget for Fiscal Years 2022-2023

Opportunities for Ohioans with Disabilities (OOD) Director Kevin Miller and Maria Seaman, OOD Chief Financial Officer, discuss Ohio Governor Mike DeWine's biennial Executive Budget for Fiscal Years 2022 and 2023. His commitment to making Ohio a Disability Inclusion State and Model Employer of Individuals with Disabilities has only been reinforced with this budget. The Governor’s proposed budget for OOD allocates sustained funding that will be considered by the Ohio Legislature over the next several months, and if approved, will help OOD continue programming and services. Transcripts and MP3 files are available at https://ood.ohio.gov/Podcast.Do you have a disability? Do you want a job? OOD can help! Visit OODWorks.com or call 800-282-4536 to get started. Find OOD on social media: @OhioOOD.Have a disability? Want to work? Visit OODWorks.com!

Rhonda’s First Year of Recovery

Rhonda Riley is a mother, grandmother, and animal lover from Clinton County, Ohio. She sat down to speak about her struggles with substance use disorder and how a team helped her work through the obstacles she has faced.Transcripts and MP3 files are available at https://ood.ohio.gov/Podcast.Do you have a disability? Do you want a job? Opportunities for Ohioans with Disabilities (OOD) can help! Visit OODWorks.com or call 800-282-4536 to get started. Find OOD on social media: @OhioOOD.Have a disability? Want to work? Visit OODWorks.com!

Brandon Lewis, Senior Majoring in Journalism

Brandon Lewis is a senior majoring in journalism at Kent State University. Concerned about securing an internship required for graduation, coupled with having a disability, Brandon reached out to Jessica Vass, Opportunities for Ohioans with Disabilities (OOD) Vocational Rehabilitation Counselor. Jessica is designated to Kent State University through Ohio College2Careers, an OOD program at 15 public colleges and universities in Ohio to ensure students with disabilities have the support they need to complete their degree and/or credential, earn higher wages, and meet the demands of tomorrow’s labor market.Transcripts and MP3 files are available at https://ood.ohio.gov/Podcast.Do you have a disability? Do you want a job? OOD can help! Visit OODWorks.com or call 800-282-4536 to get started. Find OOD on social media: @OhioOOD.Have a disability? Want to work? Visit OODWorks.com!

Angel Colón with Kroger & Kristen Ballinger with OOD

Angel Colón, Kroger Senior Director of Diversity and Supplier Inclusion, and Kristen Ballinger, Deputy Director of Opportunities for Ohioans with Disabilities (OOD) Division of Employer and Innovation Services, discuss the partnership between OOD and The Kroger Co. OOD recognized Kroger as the 2020 Champion of Inclusion Award winner for their commitment to the inclusion of individuals with disabilities in the workplace, and for being a leader of diversity and inclusion best practices in Ohio. “In these days when people are struggling, people need an uplift,” said Angel. “Many of these associates have been critical in uplifting our customers…They bring that uplift that some of our customers need.”Transcripts and MP3 files are available at https://ood.ohio.gov/Podcast.Do you have a disability? Do you want a job? OOD can help! Visit OODWorks.com or call 800-282-4536 to get started. Find OOD on social media: @OhioOOD.Have a disability? Want to work? Visit OODWorks.com!

Brock Ewing of Marion

Brock Ewing deferred graduation to participate in the EDGE (Education, Development, Growth, Employment) program, a post-secondary experience at the Ohio State School for the Blind (OSSB), tailored to assist students in preparing for adult life. Joined by Joanie Shell, Opportunities for Ohioans with Disabilities (OOD) Vocational Rehabilitation Counselor designated to OSSB, Brock shares his career plans and the steps he is taking to achieve his goal.Transcripts and MP3 files are available at https://ood.ohio.gov/Podcast.Do you have a disability? Do you want a job? OOD can help! Visit OODWorks.com or call 800-282-4536 to get started. Find OOD on social media: @OhioOOD.Have a disability? Want to work? Visit OODWorks.com!

Alyssa Carswell, Classroom Behavior Therapist

Alyssa Carswell returned to Thailand to teach English as a Second Language when she was hit by a car while on a scooter. She discusses her road to recovery and how she found her way to a fulfilling job thanks to Opportunities for Ohioans with Disabilities (OOD) and Step by Step Employment & Training. Alyssa said, “If you identify as having a disability, it can be hard to accept, but there is potential for success – there are ways around your difficulties. You just have to go down a different path.”Transcripts and MP3 files are available at https://ood.ohio.gov/Podcast. Do you have a disability? Do you want a job? OOD can help! Visit OODWorks.com or call 800-282-4536 to get started. Find OOD on social media: @OhioOOD.Have a disability? Want to work? Visit OODWorks.com!

Helping Ohioans with Developmental Disabilities

Jeff Davis, Director of the Ohio Department of Developmental Disabilities (DODD), and  Kevin Miller, Director of Opportunities for Ohioans with Disabilities (OOD), discuss how the agencies partner to serve Ohioans with developmental disabilities. Director Miller explains how the agencies work together to implement the Employment First Partnership, which helps adults with developmental disabilities start careers. “Employment First is a partnership between OOD and DODD, but it’s bigger than that. It’s the philosophy that for individuals with developmental disabilities, employment should be the first option we talk about.”Transcripts and MP3 files are available at https://ood.ohio.gov/Podcast. Do you have a disability? Do you want a job? OOD can help! Visit OODWorks.com or call 800-282-4536 to get started. Find OOD on social media: @OhioOOD.Have a disability? Want to work? Visit OODWorks.com!

William Clark, Poet

William Clark III, a recent Youngstown State University graduate, published a book in June 2020 titled The Ever So Accurate Tales of a Not So Average Man: The Testament of a Disabled Man, a collection of poems describing the challenges of growing up and living with cerebral palsy. He joins the podcast to discuss his earlier years, experience with Opportunities for Ohioans with Disabilities (OOD), professors who spurred him on, and commitment to advocating for others with disabilities. He explains his philosophy: “Don’t let the disability be who you are. Use it as a tool, as a weapon, to define your character, to carve out who you want to be, to carve out your future.”Transcripts and MP3 files are available at https://ood.ohio.gov/Podcast. William can be reached by email at clarkwilliam.iii@gmail.com.Have a disability? Want to work? Visit OODWorks.com!

Bill Darling on Simeon Fess’ Impact on People with Disabilities

Dr. Bill Darling, Director of Assistive Technology of Ohio, a federally-funded nonprofit organization that is part of the College of Engineering at The Ohio State University, discusses the impact Simeon Fess had on people with disabilities. Bill shares how he discovered Simeon, an Ohioan that while unfamiliar to many, was key in the creation of the Vocational Rehabilitation program during his service as a U.S. Congressman. Bill said, “The impact he had on the lives of so many people! Maybe he couldn’t even have envisioned it at the time, but it is a truly amazing program that probably would have never come into being without his vision.”Transcripts and MP3 files are available at https://ood.ohio.gov/Podcast.Have a disability? Want to work? Visit OODWorks.com!

Jennifer Strank, Vocational Rehabilitation Counselor

Jennifer Strank is an OOD Vocational Rehabilitation Counselor in Columbiana County. “To help people work, no matter what it is – whether it’s getting back into the workforce, getting their first job, or doing whatever – it’s just a great feeling.” Jennifer explained. “Seeing the growth and self-esteem is amazing.”Transcripts and MP3 files are available at https://ood.ohio.gov/Podcast.Have a disability? Want to work? Visit OODWorks.com!