Opportunities for Ohioans with Disabilities

10/12/2026

Talent deserves opportunity. 💼

As we celebrate National Disability Employment Awareness Month ( ), OOD Director Kevin Miller is reflecting on how far we've come and the work still moving forward across Ohio.

In our 2026 NDEAM video, Director Miller shares his perspective on his time at OOD, the progress made alongside dedicated partners, and the disability-inclusive hiring events bringing job seekers and employers together statewide this October.

🎥 Take a minute to hear from Director Miller and join us in celebrating the people and partnerships helping expand employment opportunities across Ohio.

10/11/2026

Midterms check: how are we doing, college students? 😅

If midterm season has your calendar feeling chaotic, remember that you don't have to figure out every part of college (or preparing for what comes next!) on your own.

Through our Ohio College2Careers program, students with disabilities at participating Ohio colleges and universities can connect with a counselor for support as they work toward their education and career goals. That can mean exploring careers, preparing for internships and employment, developing workplace skills, and connecting with resources that can help you plan for life after graduation.

Learn more about Ohio College2Careers and how OOD can support your next steps: ➡️ ood.ohio.gov/ohiocollege2careers

And drop your best midterm survival tip below! 👇

10/11/2026

Halloween costumes should always be about choosing who you want to be—not whether the costume works for you. A dragon, a superhero, a favorite character, a princess from another world. Nothing should be off limits! 🎃

This article from Easterseals SoCal is packed with great ideas for making Halloween costumes more accessible to children with disabilities, including creative ways to incorporate wheelchairs and mobility equipment into the costumes themselves.

Accessibility doesn't have to take away from the fun. It can open the door to even more creativity! Read the full article now, and if you know someone working on an adaptive Halloween costume this season, share it with them! 🍬

Explore adaptive Halloween costume ideas that make the holiday more inclusive, comfortable, sensory-friendly, and fun for everyone.

10/10/2026

When a mental health condition creates barriers to employment, the right support can make a big difference. ❤️

On , we want to remind Ohioans that OOD services are available to eligible people with mental health disabilities who want to find, keep, or advance their meaningful employment.

Support is individualized because everyone's goals and their paths forward look different. You can explore career possibilities, prepare for your job search, navigate disability-related barriers at work, build skills for your next step, and more.

Your mental health is part of your whole life, including your life at work. Learn how OOD can support your employment goals: ➡️ ood.ohio.gov/mentalhealth

10/09/2026

Next up in our Vocational Rehabilitation Counselor (VRC) spotlight series: Meet Mackenzie Goranitis! 👋

As a VRC for the Deaf, who is Deaf herself, she understands the experiences participants who are Deaf in the Northeast region face on a personal level. Her firsthand understandings help her connect with her clients, reassure them, and advocate for what they need.

"What inspires me most about vocational rehabilitation is seeing individuals overcome barriers that once seemed impossible. After many setbacks, watching someone finally recognize the strengths and abilities we’ve seen in them from the beginning is incredibly meaningful. That transformation is what makes VR so important."

Get to Know OOD Vocational Rehabilitation Counselors (VRCs) Mackenzie Goranitis, Vocational Rehabilitation Counselor for the Deaf, in the Northeast Region. What does National Disability Employment Awareness Month (NDEAM) mean to you, and what does this year’s NDEAM theme, “Celebrating Value & Ta...

10/09/2026

We kicked off our hiring events at Hamilton County (Ohio) Department of Job and Family Services in Cincinnati on October 1! 🎉

We are proud to bring together Ohioans with disabilities and employers who are ready to connect with talented job seekers! Hiring events and job fairs create opportunities for participants to make connections, learn about open positions, and show employers the real value and talent they can bring to Ohio's workforce.

Thank you to everyone who helped make the event a success, and thank you to everyone who joined us! ❤️

And stay tuned! We're just getting started. Check back for more event highlights all month long.

10/08/2026

We're sending well-earned congratulations to Miami University, one of this year's Governor's Inclusive Employer Award winners! 🎓

By aligning its leadership, accessibility expertise, and Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA)-focused policies across employment and campus operations, the university has demonstrated its dedication to setting the curve when it comes to disability inclusion. ✏️

Last week, OOD Director Kevin Miller proudly presented Miami University with their award on behalf of Governor Mike DeWine and Lt. Governor Jim Tressel. Talk about an A+ achievement! 🌟

10/07/2026

Congratulations to OOD's Division of Disability Determination (DDD), which received a Disability Adjudication Chief Honor Award from the Social Security Administration! 🏆

DDD received the group award in recognition of its work to maintain one of the nation's lowest disability claim processing times through innovative workload management, data-driven decision making, and transparent and equitable case assignment.

For many people seeking disability determination, time matters. More efficient processing means Ohioans can receive decisions sooner and take the next steps toward accessing benefits and support.

Congratulations to Kimberlyn Price, Deputy Director; Assistant Deputy Directors Darin McCoy, Orlando Rodriguez, and Jaime McVay; and all of the staff at DDD! 👏

10/06/2026

Please join us in celebrating Cintas Corporation, one of this year's Governor's Inclusive Employer Award winners! ⛑️

This uniform and workwear company has demonstrated it's well-suited for success this year. By setting a high standard for workplace accessibility, they're showing that disability-inclusive hiring practices are always a perfect fit for Ohio businesses! 👔

Last week, OOD Director Kevin Miller proudly presented Cintas with their award on behalf of Governor Mike DeWine and Lt. Governor Jim Tressel. Talk about a tailor-made moment! 🙌

10/06/2026

Resources about cerebral palsy (CP) shouldn't stop at childhood. 💚

On , we're sharing a resource designed specifically for adulthood: the Palsy Research Network's Adult CP Toolkit.

Developed with input from more than 50 people, including adults with CP, parents, healthcare professionals, and other experts, this toolkit brings together information adults with CP can use throughout different parts of their lives. Topics include:

✅ Healthcare and preventive care.
✅ Muscle and bone health.
✅ Pain management and wellness.
✅ Sleep.
✅ Independent living and self-advocacy.
✅ Social, economic, and lifestyle topics.

And more. Today is a great opportunity to raise awareness of CP and amplify information and resources created with and for people with CP.

Explore the toolkit: ➡️ bit.ly/3KrfrkM