State of Ohio agency empowering Ohioans with disabilities through employment, disability determinations & independence. Visit www.oodworks.com to find a job.
Social media terms/conditions at bit.ly/4hVmJJL. OOD's mission is to empower Ohioans with disabilities through employment, disability determinations, and independence.
10/01/2025
We're Hiring: Public Information Officers 📝
Are you a creative individual looking to use your communications skills to make a meaningful impact on the lives of Ohioans with disabilities? We are seeking 2 Public Information Officers to join our Communications team.
In this role, you will:
📢 Share the stories and successes of Ohioans with disabilities.
✍️ Write, edit, and review content for press releases, newsletters, and social media.
🤝 Collaborate with program leaders, service providers, and community partners.
🎥 Support disability awareness campaigns and outreach efforts.
And more! Be part of a mission-driven team seeking to help connect Ohioans with disabilities to OOD services.
Apply by October 2! ➡️ bit.ly/47ZTy5Y
10/01/2025
Meet Melvin “Mel” Arnold. 👋
He spent an impressive 40 years running a successful cafeteria in Cincinnati as a participant in OOD's Business Enterprise (BE) program, which recruits, trains, and licenses Ohioans who are legally blind to run businesses in food service management like vending, cafeterias, and snack bars.
For Mel, the BE program provided more than a career. It offered financial independence and the ability to support his family:
"The Business Enterprise Program gave me the opportunity to operate a vending facility, which became more than just a job — it provided me with a sense of purpose, a reason to get up each day, and the pride of knowing that I was contributing rather than simply relying on Social Security. This program has allowed me to support my family, stand on my own, and be part of something meaningful.”
This year, Mel is beginning a new chapter: retirement! Join us in celebrating his achievements and dedication. Congratulations, Mel! 🎉
➡️ Visit the BE Program webpage at OODWorks.com for more information. To learn more about Mel's journey and to hear from Tonia Koo, OOD Business Consultant, who worked with Mel for the past 17 years, check out our recent newsletter.
09/30/2025
We're hiring: Rehabilitation Counselor for the Deaf (RCD) - Dayton 🧏
RCDs help Deaf Ohioans explore careers, prepare for employment, and achieve their goals. Every day looks different - from supporting high school students learning self-advocacy to helping someone advance in their long-term career and more.
In this role, you will:
✅ Interview individuals with disabilities to learn about their strengths and goals.
✅ Determine eligibility for vocational rehabilitation services.
✅ Interpret diagnostic information to determine needs and supports.
✅ Provide counseling to individuals and families.
✅ Develop Individualized Plans for Employment (IPEs) for participants.
✅ Collaborate with community partners like schools, training programs, and county Ohio Means Jobs (OMJ) centers.
To apply, you must be fluent in American Sign Language (ASL). Candidates with certifications like CRC, LPC, LPCC, or LISW may qualify for higher pay.
Apply by October 2! ➡️ bit.ly/4nT4abv
09/30/2025
Always make sure common pathways are clear, including the path to your business entrance!
Blocked walkways, clutter, or obstacles can create barriers for people who use wheelchairs, walkers, or white canes, and can be frustrating for anyone. Keeping pathways clean and accessible ensures your space is welcoming for all. 🌟
09/29/2025
We're celebrating National Disability Employment Awareness Month (NDEAM) this October! 🎉
“Ohio is setting a high standard by bringing together businesses and partners to break down barriers faced by individuals with disabilities who are working to seek employment,” said Governor Mike DeWine. “This month reminds us that every individual has unique talents that can drive our economy forward.”
This year marks the 80th anniversary of NDEAM, a milestone in advancing disability inclusion in the workplace. As part of our NDEAM observance, we're excited to host hiring events across Ohio this month to connect qualified applicants with disabilities to employer partners.
📰 Learn more: bit.ly/3Iw1Xnf
U.S. Department of Labor
09/28/2025
What a month it's been for our mobile services unit! ✨
This September, we were proud to bring resources and support directly into Ohio communities by attending:
✅ Hocking County Overdose Prevention Day (September 3)
✅ Miami County Mental Health Community Resource Day (September 4)
✅ Columbus Zoo and Aquarium Deaf, Blind, and DeafBlind Accessibility Day (September 7)
Thank you to everyone who stopped by to connect with us! We're always here to help Ohioans with disabilities explore opportunities and build skills.
09/27/2025
Curious what opportunities are out there for students in your area? 🎓
At the Jefferson County Chamber of Commerce’s Education and Career Fair, about 800 students from nine high schools had a chance to connect with colleges, employers, and agencies (including OOD!) to learn about careers, resume building, and job skills.
Read the full article today to learn more about what these students discovered and how career fairs are positively impacting students.
WINTERSVILLE — About 800 students from nine area high schools learned about many careers and educational and training opportunities available to them at the Jefferson County Chamber of Commerce’s Education and Career Fair Thursday at the St. Florian Event Center. Chamber President Emily Byers sa...
09/26/2025
The Team Tressel Fitness Challenge is here! 💪
Launched by Governor Mike DeWine, Lt. Governor Jim Tressel, and Ohio Department of Education and Workforce Director Stephen D. Dackin, the challenge is helping students across Ohio build healthy fitness, nutrition, and sleep habits over 90 days.
📊 690 schools and more than 173,000 students are already in! Students set personal goals, track progress, and even earn achievement levels and certificates.
Parents, families, and community organizations can join too - because healthy habits start with all of us! 🙌
➡️ Learn how to get involved today: bit.ly/4fYrz8B
09/25/2025
Meet Patrick Flynn, Talent Acquisition Analyst at OOD! ❤️
As a Talent Acquisition Analyst, Patrick works closely with the hiring process, including collaborating with hiring managers, creating and posting job openings, monitoring and reviewing applications, setting up and leading interviews, and so much more.
"A career lesson that I have learned is 'trust the process' - having confidence in the journey, even when results are not immediate. Being patient and understanding progress takes time and effort."
Read more: ➡️ bit.ly/4pLjxVa
09/24/2025
🔈 New resource for Ohio students with disabilities!
The Broadcast Educational Media Commission (BEMC), in collaboration with OOD, the Ohio Department of Education and Workforce (DEW), and ThinkTV Network, has launched a new three-part video series: Get Ready! Get Set! Keep Going! 🎥
This series helps students with disabilities (and their parents and educators!) plan for life after high school by offering tools, strategies, and inspiring stories to support their unique career journeys.
1️⃣ Get Ready! - Helps high school students explore career aspirations and support networks.
2️⃣ Get Set! - Learn next steps to a successful career pathway, including college, training, and job options.
3️⃣ Keep Going! - A recap of strategies plus success stories to help inspire your path forward.
All videos are available with American Sign Language (ASL) and audio description. Click the link to watch the full series today!
🎬 “Get Ready! Get Set! Keep Going!” explores resources and opportunities available for Ohio students with disabilities to help jumpstart their careers. Join ...
09/23/2025
Today is International Day of Sign Languages! 🌎
Our amazing staff interpreter, Bambi, shares her story of growing up in a generationally Deaf family, and teaches us how to sign the phrase "Thank You" in American Sign Language (ASL) as a gesture of love and respect. 💙
Join us in celebrating today by learning this sign and showing gratitude and appreciation for the vibrant Deaf community in Ohio and beyond.
09/22/2025
Happy , Ohio! 🍂
This season is full of opportunities to get outside, enjoy the crisp air, and celebrate together - and there are plenty of accessible events happening across the state to do so!
A few highlights this year include:
🍎 Lebanon County Apple Fest (September 27-28)
🌽 Fun on the Farm: An Ability Inclusive Fall Harvest Festival in Akron (October 4)
🎵 Neurodiverse Culture Festival in Chagrin Falls (October 18)
🎃 Adaptive Sports Ohio's Trick or Treat Trail in Wooster (October 19)
🌟 Pumpkin Glow: Sensory Friendly Night in Xenia (October 22)
And more! Wherever you are in Ohio, there's something fun and accessible waiting for you this fall. Be sure to explore local options near you and tag us in your fall adventures.
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Contact The Practice
Send a message to Opportunities for Ohioans with Disabilities:
Opportunities for Ohioans with Disabilities (OOD) is the state agency that partners with Ohioans with disabilities to achieve quality employment, independence and Social Security disability determination outcomes. It is accomplished through its Bureau of Vocational Rehabilitation (BVR), Bureau of Services for the Visually Impaired (BSVI) and Division of Disability Determination (DDD). A fourth area is the Division of Employer and Innovation Services (EIS), which is responsible for establishing and maintaining partnerships with employers.
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OOD respectfully requests that when joining our social media websites, you practice respect, courtesy, and accountability in your commentary. We encourage active discussions on our social media websites but prohibit comments that are vulgar, obscene, threatening, intimidating, harassing, or attacking. Any such comments will be removed from our social media websites.
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You also agree that your use of OOD social media websites and these terms and conditions are governed by the laws of the State of Ohio.
OOD does not endorse, support, sanction, encourage, verify, or agree with the comments, opinions, or statements posted on any of its social media websites. Any information or material placed online, including advice and opinions, are the views and responsibility of those persons making the comments and do not necessarily represent the views of OOD. By submitting a comment for posting, you agree that OOD and its third-party service providers are not responsible, and shall have no liability to you, with respect to any information or materials posted by others.
OOD reserves the right to review, edit, move or delete any material submitted as a comment to the information provided for display or placed on any of its social media websites, in its sole discretion and without notice.
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