Opportunities for Ohioans with Disabilities (OOD)

Opportunities for Ohioans with Disabilities (OOD) is the state agency that empowers Ohioans with disabilities through employment, disability determination, and independence.  This is accomplished through the Bureau of Vocational Rehabilitation (BVR), Bureau of Services for the Visually Impaired (BSVI), the Division of Employer and Innovation Services (EIS), and the Division of Disability Determination (DDD).

OOD works with partners in business, education, and nonprofit organizations to facilitate individualized employment plans for Ohioans with disabilities; helps Ohio companies recruit and retain employees with disabilities; and is the sole agency in Ohio that administers the determination of benefits for Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) and Supplemental Security Income (SSI) program in Ohio. Through Accessible Ohio, OOD consults with Ohio businesses, venues, attractions, and communities to identify barriers and establish accessibility goals.

OOD provides Vocational Rehabilitation services to eligible individuals with disabilities to assist them in obtaining and maintaining competitiveintegrated employment.  OOD works with adults seeking to enter the workforce or retain a job, and with youth, beginning at age 14, to assist them as they transition from high school into college and/or the workplace.  

OOD’s Vocational Rehabilitation services help Ohioans with disabilities get and maintain employment.  Some of these services include, but are not limited to the following:

• Career counseling for finding a job
• Job training and practical work experience
• On-the-job support and accommodations
• Assistance with resume writing and job interviews
• Financial support for various expenses related to education and training programs, transportation, work attire, tools, and equipment necessary to eliminate employment barriers.

Every October, National Disability Employment Awareness Month (NDEAM) serves as a powerful reminder of the valuable contributions made by America’s workers with disabilities. This year marks the 81st anniversary of this observance, with the theme “Celebrating Value and Talent,” which highlights the rich skills and potential that all Americans—including those with disabilities—bring to our workplaces and communities. Ohio is proud to be at the forefront of this initiative, led by Opportunities for Ohioans with Disabilities (OOD), which champions disability-inclusive employment practices statewide.  

Throughout October, OOD will host a series of hiring events and job fair across Ohio, offering individuals with disabilities exceptional opportunities to connect directly with employers committed to building disability-inclusive workforces. These events are designed to pave the way for long-term, quality employment. 

Additionally, OOD will offer a free webinar for employers, “Title I of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and Your Role as a Supervisor” on October 21 at 10 a.m. This session will explain how supervisors can meet their responsibilities under Title I of the ADA and promote a workplace that is inclusive of people with disabilities, including strategies for fostering a disability-inclusive workplace culture. More information, including the link to join, is available on OOD’s webinar webpage.  

Learn More: https://ood.ohio.gov/home