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.
12/26/2025
Happy Kwanzaa! 🕯️✨
Today marks the beginning of Kwanzaa, a holiday that's also a celebration of culture, community, and shared values.
May this week be filled with reflection, unity, and purpose as we honor the strength found in community.
Wishing peace and joy to all who celebrate.
12/25/2025
Merry Christmas from OOD! 🎄🎁
Our offices are closed today as we pause to celebrate the season and spend time with loved ones.
We're wishing you a very happy holiday filled with warmth, joy, and moments that make your heart feel full. ❤️
12/24/2025
It's time for a Alt Text Challenge! 🎅
We're sharing a festive photo today—and we want you to help us make it accessible! In the comments, tell us what alt text you'd write to describe this image. Then stay tuned, because next week, we'll come back and share what alt text we used!
📝 What's Alt Text?
Alt text is a written description of an image that allows people who use screen readers—including individuals who are blind or have low vision—to understand what's being shown.
♿ Why It Matters
Thoughtful alt text ensures everyone can access and enjoy visual content like social media pictures, and it helps create a more disability-inclusive digital experience for everyone.
Accessibility can be creative, thoughtful, and fun! 🙌
12/23/2025
At OOD, we know that work, community, and connection matter all year round. Creating spaces where everyone feels welcomed, supported, and included is part of how we help Ohioans with disabilities thrive.
Since the holidays can be an especially busy time of year, we think it's a great idea to slow down and have some fun. With that in mind, let's spread some holiday cheer! 😊
If your holiday season had a theme song, what would it be?
🎶 Cozy and warm
🎶 Chaotic and energetic
🎶 Peaceful and calm
🎶 Something that says: "I made it through and that's enough!"
Drop your answer below, and don't forget to spread joy this holiday season!
12/22/2025
Last month, we hosted an apprenticeship information session and tour at the UA Local 776 Training Center in Lima, giving participants the chance to learn about plumbing, pipefitting, and service technician apprenticeships. 🥽
Attendees watched a live welding skill demonstration and toured the facility—getting an inside look at skilled trades careers across multiple counties.
One standout moment: Codey, a welding student at the Apollo Career Center, completed a welding demo alongside an instructor and learned his training can count toward apprenticeship hours! OOD proudly supported Codey by covering his tuition and providing work boots, helping remove barriers so he could focus on his future. 🔥
We're excited to see where this journey takes him and grateful to our partners for opening doors to meaningful career paths! 💪
12/21/2025
Hello, Winter! ❄️
The is here, and so are the disability-inclusive, accessible ways to enjoy the season across Ohio.
From sensory-friendly events to adaptive recreation and community gatherings, the Summit County Developmental Disabilities Board 2025 Inclusive Winter Activity Guide highlights opportunities designed so everyone can participate and belong.
Explore what's happening near you and make the most of the season—without barriers.
Winter in Northeast Ohio is full of fun and inclusive events for adults, families and kids! Explore the Inclusive Winter Activity Guide.
12/20/2025
From Navy Veteran to national baker! 🍰
Mark Orahoske took his family bakery from a neighborhood shop to shelves across the country—all while honoring his military roots. His dedication to quality and community makes every cake special. Click the link to learn the full story.
12/19/2025
Need help staying warm this winter? Support is available. 💙
As temperatures continue to drop across Ohio, the Home Energy Assistance Program (HEAP)'s Winter Crisis program is available to help income-eligible households keep the heat on. This one-time assistance can make a big difference during the coldest months.
You can start your application online and then schedule an appointment with your local energy assistance provider—in person, by phone, or remote, depending on the agency.
To prepare for your appointment, bring:
✅ Your most recent energy bills
✅ A list of all household members and proof of income
✅ Proof of U.S. citizenship or legal residency
✅ Proof of disability, if applicable
If you or someone you know needs support, please share this resource. Everyone deserves a warm, safe home.
➡️ Learn more: bit.ly/3GvVzrk
12/18/2025
💼 We're Hiring:
✅ American Sign Language (ASL) Interpreter
✅ Rehabilitation Counselor for the Deaf
✅ American Sign Language Vocational Rehabilitation Caseload Assistant
Are you fluent in American Sign Language (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.
American Sign Language (ASL) Interpreter ➡️ bit.ly/3MNVBRL
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.
Rehabilitation Counselor for the Deaf ➡️
bit.ly/3KPzFVW
In this role, you'll help Deaf Ohioans explore careers, build skills, and achieve long-term employment success. This role offers variety, purpose, and meaningful connection—no two days are the same.
American Sign Language Vocational Rehabilitation Caseload Assistant ➡️ bit.ly/457ImBF
In this role, you will support Vocational Rehabilitation Counselors and collaborate with teams across the agency to help Ohioans with disabilities reach their career goals.
Join our mission, grow your career, and make an impact. Apply today!
12/18/2025
Let's spread some holiday cheer... in American Sign Language (ASL)! ✨
Shannon Seger, our Deaf Services Supervisor, is here to teach you how to sign some of the season's most joyful greetings—celebrating the holidays, Christmas, Kwanzaa, and more!
Whether you're learning for the first time or brushing up on your skills, this is a fun and disability-inclusive way to spread cheer.
➡️ Save this reel and try signing along, and tag a friend who would LOVE this!
Let's celebrate connection, culture, and community together, one sign at a time! ❄️
12/17/2025
What a year of impact! 🥳
As we wrap up 2025, we're proud to share how OOD helped transform futures across the state.
✨ 46,064 Ohioans received Vocational Rehabilitation services— 3,722 more than last year!
✨ Our Division of Disability Determination (DDD) processed 151,580 claims, exceeding federal targets by 2,469.
From preparing students 14+ all the way through college for work to bringing services directly to communities with our mobile services unit to advancing a more , this year was full of growth and meaningful change.
📽️ Watch our Year-in-Review video to see the difference we're making together. Here's to even more opportunity and empowerment in 2026! ❤️
12/16/2025
Disability-inclusive communication starts with respect. Always ask before offering assistance! 🙌
A simple question like "Would you like help?" respects autonomy, allows the person to decide what support they want (if any), and helps avoid creating unintentional barriers by ensuring you have a friendly and happy interaction.
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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.
OOD may remove user-generated content, including but not limited to, content that contains:
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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).
