OOD Works

Priya Goddard is a 2021 participant of the Youth Leadership Forum (YLF) in Cleveland, a collaboration of Opportunities for Ohioans with Disabilities (OOD), the Ohio Statewide Independent Living Council, and Linking Employment, Abilities and Potential (LEAP). At YLF, high school juniors and seniors with disabilities participate in a weeklong career leadership training program to help prepare them to be one of Ohio's future leaders by improving leadership, citizenship, and social skills.Priya explained that she is writing a book on autism and getting bullied. “I was really thinking about some of the things that I’ve been through but also just really wanting to help other people,” she shared. “Everybody on the spectrum has their own differences, but each one of them has something to bring that is powerful and meaningful.” Transcripts and MP3 files are available at 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!

Jack Salvaggio of Highland Heights, Ohio is a 2017 graduate of Mayfield High School and a 2020 graduate of the Cuyahoga East Vocational Education Consortium. While a student, he connected with Opportunities for Ohioans with Disabilities (OOD) to prepare early for his career.“I hope that people could support people with disabilities, people with autism, any kind of special needs spectrum,” Jack encourages. “Support autism awareness.”Kenneth Crookston, OOD Vocational Rehabilitation Counselor, explained, “Jack has been employed since November 2020, and he and his family are so happy. He has been praised for his good work and earned raises and increased hours. He just has an awesome personality that truly adds to the people around him.”Transcripts and MP3 files are available at 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!

Jennifer Walker of Blacklick, Ohio is a wife, mother, and teacher. In her sixth year of teaching, her vision began to deteriorate from retinitis pigmentosa. One of the first steps she took was to reach out to the Bureau of Services for the Visually Impaired (BSVI) with Opportunities for Ohioans with Disabilities (OOD). 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!

Opportunities for Ohioans with Disabilities’ Division of Disability Determination (DDD), in agreement with the Social Security Administration (SSA), determines medical eligibility for Ohioans who apply for Social Security disability benefits. DDD is federally regulated and receives 100% of its funding from SSA.  Under SSA, disability is based on an individual’s inability to work. DDD and SSA staff join the podcast to answer questions about applying for disability benefits.·        Brandon Smith, Public Affairs Specialist with SSA ·        Robert Fenn, Public Affairs Specialist with SSA·        Kristen Alexander, Disability Claims Manager with DDD·        Beth Baker, Professional Relations Officer and Field Office Liaison with DDLearn more at SocialSecurity.Gov or call 800-772-1213.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!

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 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 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, 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 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 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!