Opportunities for Ohioans with Disabilities

Opportunities for Ohioans with Disabilities

Opportunities for Ohioans with Disabilities (OOD) is the State of Ohio agency that partners with Ohioans with disabilities to achieve quality employment and independence. We also make determinations on Social Security disability.

OOD does this through three areas:

• Bureau of Vocational Rehabilitation
  The Bureau of Vocational Rehabilitation provides individuals with physical, intellectual, mental health and/or sensory disabilities services and supports necessary to help them attain and maintain employment.

• Bureau of Services for the Visually Impaired
  The Bureau of Services for the Visually Impaired provides individuals, with low vision and blindness, services and supports necessary to help them attain and maintain employment. Vocational Rehabilitation services are customized for each individual through assessments and one-on-one meetings with professional vocational rehabilitation counselors.

• Division of Disability Determination
  The Social Security Administration sends Ohioans’ disability benefit claims to Opportunities for Ohioans with Disabilities' Division of Disability Determination which follows the rules and regulations set by Congress to assess whether applicants meet the medical requirements for Disability.

OOD works with partners in business, education and non-profit organizations to facilitate customized employment plans for Ohioans with disabilities; help Ohio companies recruit and retain employees with disabilities; and is the sole agency administering the Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) and Supplemental Security Income (SSI) programs in Ohio.

• Pre-Employment Transition Services
  Ohio Department of Education and Opportunities for Ohioans with Disabilities have partnered to showcase how educators can work together with Pre-Employment Transition Services providers to help students find in-demand careers in their communities that match their preferences and interests.

• Ohio Youth Leadership Forum
  Youth Leadership Forum for students with disabilities is a training for juniors and seniors that focuses on the use leadership and advocacy skills to pursue meaningful employment and to take an active role in the community as independent adults.

• Centers for Independent Living
  Opportunities for Ohioians with Disabilities offers Centers for Independent Living around Ohio that support information and referral services, independent living skills training, peer counseling, individual/systems advocacy, and transition services to aid individuals.

• Community Centers for the Deaf
  Opportunities for Ohioians with Disabilities has partnered with community entities to provide support and communication services to deaf, hard of hearing, and deafblind individuals, as well as, their families and communities around the state.

• Mentoring Project
  The Community Centers for the Deaf work with Opportunities for Ohioians with Disabilities to provide mentoring opportunities for deaf, hard of hearing, and deafblind high school students in districts statewide.

• Ohio College2Careers
  Vocational Counselors are located within select college and university disability services offices to assist students with disabilities with supports that they need to complete their degrees and meet the demands of tomorrow’s labor market.