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.
02/02/2026
Whether Buckeye Chuck emerges to see his shadow or not, we’re celebrating brighter days ahead here at OOD! 🌤️
Every day, Ohioans with disabilities are stepping into new opportunities – from perfect-fitting jobs to careers and more – with our support.
Interested in our services? Visit OODWorks.com to learn more and start your application today! Let’s make this spring a season where everyone shines. 💐
02/01/2026
This February, we'll be spotlighting influential Black leaders whose work shaped history at the intersection of civil rights and disability advocacy. Their leadership, resilience, and vision helped expand opportunity and access in ways that still affect our lives today.
Follow along this month as we feature three trailblazers—sharing their stories, their impacts, and the legacies they leave for future generations. ❤️
01/31/2026
📢 Important Update for Ohio's workforce, education, and employment landscape.
The Ohio Department of Job and Family Services has released the 2026-2027 Combined State Plan for public comment. This is a roadmap designed to better align workforce development, education, and employment programs across the state.
The Combined State Plan covers the four-year period July 1, 2024, through June 30, 2028, and this two-year modification includes updates applicable to PY 2026 and PY 2027 for certain programs.
The public comment period will remain open for 30 days and will close at 5:00 p.m. on February 22, 2026. Click the full article to learn more and submit your comments.
Every four years, Ohio develops a Combined State Plan to better align the state’s core workforce, education, and employment programs and to strengthen connections between Ohio businesses and a skilled workforce. States must review and update that plan every two years to reflect changes in labor ma...
01/30/2026
Tax season doesn't have to be overwhelming. Accessible help is available. 📝
If you're a person with a disability looking for trustworthy, easy-to-understand resources, the National Disability Institute's Tax Resource Center is a great place to start.
✔️ Free tools and guidance.
✔️ Help claiming credits like the Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC).
✔️ Information on savings options, including STABLE accounts.
✔️ Webinars, checklists, and connections to free tax prep services.
Additionally, the Ohio Department of Taxation's Learning Center offers short guides and videos to help you file, manage your account, and get answers to common tax questions.
These important resources are designed with accessibility in mind—because everyone deserves clear, reliable tax support. 📊
01/29/2026
Meet Orville Sharp IV, Program Administrator 3 at OOD! ❤️
In his role, Orville helps oversee the Business Enterprise (BE) Program for the southern region of Ohio. He manages a team of four Business Enterprise consultants spread across these regions and provides support to over 35 licensed blind operators.
"One lesson I’ve learned is that every challenge is an opportunity to grow."
Read more: ➡️ bit.ly/4k7hwA5
01/28/2026
A new year brings new opportunities to build a more disability-inclusive Ohio. 🌟
As Ohio's vocational rehabilitation and workplace disability inclusion experts, we're starting the year by sharing the priorities we believe matter most.
In our latest LinkedIn article, "New Year, New Opportunities: 5 Disability-Inclusion Priorities for 2026," we outline 5 key focus areas guiding our work in 2026, informed by the Disability-Inclusive Framework, introduced at the 2025 Accessible Ohio Conference.
If disability inclusion is part of your work, leadership, or mission this year, these insights are a great place to start. Read the full article now and start putting expert-informed strategies into action. 💼
As 2026 begins, employers are setting ambitious goals, strengthening workplace culture, and prioritizing disability inclusion to drive business success. Disability inclusion isn’t just the right thing to do—it’s a business advantage that expands talent pipelines, strengthens employee retention...
01/27/2026
In the latest OOD Works podcast, we sit down with Representatives Brian Lorenz and Gary Click, along with Keith Jesse, whose lived experience inspired House Bill 144—Keith's Law. 🎙️
This episode explores:
✅ The story behind the law.
✅ How advocacy led to change.
✅ How House Bill 144 supports Ohioans with disabilities during emergencies.
🆕 Now available: Ohioans with disabilities can voluntarily complete the House Bill 144 Disability Verification Form, creating a secure statewide record to help first responders better prepare before arriving on the scene.
Get the full story, podcast links, and resources in our recent newsletter: ➡️ bit.ly/3ZBinzs
01/26/2026
This winter, crafting is for everyone! ❄️
Creativity should be accessible for all, and this snowflake craft proves it. Watch as we share an easy, disability-inclusive snowflake craft designed with accessibility in mind.
It's perfect for classrooms, families, or anyone looking for a cozy winter activity. Watch now and craft along with us! 📽️
And check out our LinkedIn article for full instructions, accessibility tips, and more. ➡️ bit.ly/4pYLp6O
01/26/2026
💼 We're Hiring: American Sign Language (ASL) Interpreter
Are you fluent in ASL and passionate about accessibility, communication, and disability inclusion? We're seeking ASL-proficient candidates to join our team and help empower and support individuals who are Deaf, DeafBlind, or hard of hearing in achieving independence, employment success, and access to services.
In this role, you'll provide ASL and other forms of English signing for OOD staff, partners, and the participants we serve, supporting everything from meetings and trainings to outreach and advocacy efforts.
Other duties include:
✅ Formulates and implements program policy to facilitate effective communication for individuals who are Deaf or hard of hearing.
✅ Adheres to the Registry of Interpreters for the Deaf (RID)/National Association of the Deaf (NAD) Code of Professional Conduct.
✅ Provides mentoring services and assists with special assignments and projects.
Join our mission, grow your career, and make an impact. Apply today! ➡️ bit.ly/3M63vGc
01/26/2026
📰 In Case You Missed It: Governor Mike DeWine issued a proclamation on Saturday declaring a state of emergency due to the damaging and dangerous conditions Winter Storm Fern brought to Ohio over the weekend. Read the full proclamation here: ➡️ bit.ly/463A5zf
Due to the weather, please check with your local office before coming in on Monday, January 26, 2026.
I'm proactively declaring a state of emergency in Ohio due to the damaging and dangerous conditions Winter Storm Fern is expected to bring to our state this weekend. I continue to encourage everyone to stay home unless it's absolutely necessary to be out.
What does disability inclusion in sports really look like? 🏅
Journey League- Dayton, Ohio Chapter is creating something powerful—a safe space where athletes with disabilities can connect and compete. This inspiring story highlights how adaptive sports build confidence and opportunity for athletes of all abilities.
Click the link to read the full story today.
BEAVERCREEK, Ohio (WKEF) -- Basketball is bringing people together in a really meaningful way right here in the Miami Valley.Journey League is creating a safe,
01/24/2026
Education opens doors, and supporting educators helps keep them open. 📚
On this , we're celebrating the teachers, professors, and education professionals across Ohio who help students with disabilities discover their strengths and plan for the future.
We partner with schools and educators to provide resources that support students as they explore careers, build job skills, and get ready for life beyond the classroom.
Learn more about our student services today: ➡️ bit.ly/45fNdS8
Address
150 E Campus View Boulevard , Suite 300 Columbus, OH 43235
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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.
OOD Comment Policy
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.
Your selection to use and follow OOD social media websites is voluntary. You may unsubscribe with the third-party service providers of OOD social media websites at any time.
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.
OOD may remove user-generated content, including but not limited to, content that contains:
Any personal or sensitive information (i.e. phone numbers, email or postal addresses, or any sensitive information).
Any information identifying OOD applicants or participants of vocational rehabilitation services.
Any legally privileged, confidential, proprietary information, or protected health information.
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Please do not make participant status inquiries on any OOD social media website. To that end, OOD will not address, comment, or include any participant status information on social media websites. OOD will remove any user-generated comments that include any personal or sensitive information (e.g., phone numbers, email or postal addresses, or any consumer status information).
