OOD Works

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.

Have a disability? Want to work? Visit OODWorks.com!

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.”

Have a disability? Want to work? Visit OODWorks.com!

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.”

Have a disability? Want to work? Visit OODWorks.com!

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.”

Have a disability? Want to work? Visit OODWorks.com!

In this episode, OOD Director Kevin Miller discusses the agency's response to coronavirus.

Transcripts and MP3 files are available at https://ood.ohio.gov/Podcast.

Have a disability? Want to work? Visit OODWorks.com!

Mary Russ talks about her experience training as a voice actor and shares a public service announcement to encourage wearing blue in support of people with autism. She also shares about her experience applying for Social Security disability benefits. Mary is joined by Betsy Russ, her mother.

Have a disability? Want to work? Visit OODWorks.com!

National Rehabilitation Counselors Appreciation Day is March 22, 2020, and the OOD Works Podcast features Vocational Rehabilitation Counselors this month. 

Dawn Coleman is a Senior Vocational Rehabilitation Counselor for the Bureau of Services for the Visually Impaired. “I really like seeing people get a job and meet their goal because I think work is so important. It gives people a sense of purpose,” Dawn explained. “It really just changes their lives, and I get to be a small part of that.”

Have a disability? Want to work? Visit OODWorks.com!

The OOD 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.

“Our staff do a good job understanding the sense of urgency that people need to get a decision quickly on their cases,” explained Rhonda Tanner, DDD Deputy Director.

Listen to hear from Rhonda and DDD Assistant Deputy Directors Tom Melfo, Teresa Gray, and Darin McCoy.

Have a disability? Want to work? Visit OODWorks.com!

Katie Frederick, OOD Program Administrator for the Bureau of Services for the Visually Impaired, joins the podcast to discuss self-advocacy, assistive technology, and Voicecorps Reading Services.

“For me, self-advocacy is knowing and understanding what I need to accomplish a task and being able to explain and share with others what my needs are,” Katie explained. “As a person with a disability, problem-solving is something I just do. It’s built in by default.”

Transcripts and MP3 files are available at https://ood.ohio.gov/Podcast.

Have a disability? Want to work? Visit OODWorks.com!

Chris Page was pulled over for a traffic stop in 2016. His failure to make eye contact caused officers to believe he had been drinking. Chris’ difficulty with motor skills led to him failing a field sobriety test and being arrested.

Have a disability? Want to work? Visit OODWorks.com!