Introduction Welcome to HireGround (HG)! Opportunities for Ohioans with Disabilities produces this newsletter expressly for our Vocational Rehabilitation (VR) professional audience. We hope that these stories, best practices and practical tips will be of value to you as we continue our relationship and work with participants. Our goal is to achieve quality employment, independence and disability determination outcomes through our integrated services, partnerships and innovation. For questions, content suggestions, or comments on this newsletter, please contact: elizabeth.sammons@ood.ohio.gov. Thanks in advance for sharing this information. Do you ever recall something from an earlier HG that you would like to access again? OOD has posted past issues (starting Jan., 2014) online. All are available both in PDF and in Text versions at: Disability Community Opportunities, Announcements Understanding the Affordable Care Act: A Toolkit for VR Counselors The Rehabilitation Services Administration at the Department of Education have released “Understanding the Affordable Care Act: A Toolkit for Vocational Rehabilitation (VR) Counselors.” The toolkit is a resource on how recent changes in the health care system can provide additional opportunities to eliminate barriers to employment for both people and businesses. It includes sections on (1) essential health benefits for persons with disabilities, (2) which VR consumers may be a good fit for marketplace coverage, and (3) expanded Medicaid for VR consumers. The booklet also provides typical scenarios working with VR consumers and how the ACA may impact their situations. Link to this free resource here: > Achieving a Better Life Experience (ABLE) Act information and updates Under the Achieving a Better Life Experience (ABLE) Act, those with disabilities can save up to $100,000 in special accounts without losing Social Security, Medicaid or other government benefits. A new from the ABLE National Resource Center offers information to those involved personally or professionally, providing information about laws, regulations and product offerings in each state. Ohio is among the first states starting ABLE accounts. For additional details see This website offers national and information and updates related to ABLE accounts. Finally, see this frequently-updated site for ongoing ABLE updates, how money may be spent, easy-language videos and other relevant items. JAWS® and MAGic® Student Editions now Available Freedom Scientific and the American Printing House for the Blind have partnered to make a JAWS® and MAGic® Student Edition available to K-12 students in the U.S. using Federal Quota funds, ($300 per student, per year.) specific
These software subscriptions come exclusively via APH and will allow students to install full versions of JAWS and/or MAGic, including ongoing access to latest versions and updates on three computers, allowing 24/7 access both at school and at home. The program includes free access to Freedom Scientific phone support, training materials, and webinars. Visit the for more information. Disability and Awareness in the Media A documentary featuring issues of autism "Life, Animated" won the Directing Award in the U.S. documentary category in January when it premiered at the Sundance Film Festival. The film details the life of a young man on the Autism Spectrum, Owen Suskind, and his connection to the world through Disney animation. The film sequences original animation from Disney classics based on Owen's drawings to tell his story. The University of Washington Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) Model System has published new InfoComics on Understanding TBI. The three-part series introduces readers to TBI, following Mike and his family as he goes through rehabilitation, returns home, and adjusts to new routines and situations. The InfoComics present research findings in an engaging format, using text and images to share vital and up-to-date information about physical, cognitive, and emotional issues. Now debuting -- the SCI Empowerment Project Wheelchair Skills series. These videos feature manual wheelchair users and therapists demonstrating a variety of essential skills such as managing potholes, wheeling across grass, and performing wheelies and wheelie Several community agencies have collaborated to create a You Tube video about effective communications between emergency responders and people who are Deaf or Hard of Hearing > Artist Spotlight: Janice Schmader Janice Schmader received a BFA in Art History from the Ohio State University. She was honored to exhibit her quilts at the Fresh A.I.R. Gallery. (Downtown Columbus.) Here’s what she says about getting started. I began making quilts as a way to occupy my time and enrich my life. I work mainly with traditional quilts. I knew that I needed something challenging, and quilts proved to be intellectually stimulating. They require a tenacity which doesn't come easily, plus they require that I leave my house periodically (a truly frightening prospect for me) to buy supplies and learn research techniques. Because of my illness, I can become overwhelmed easily, filled with doubt, and can lose all motivation.
medicine, write books or plays, arrange music, help people with personal or emotional problems, buy and sell stocks and bonds" and many more. After completing the 60-question profile, we select "get score." A number is given next to each category below: People with Social interests: like working with others to help them learn and grow. They like working with people more than working with objects, machines, or information. They like teaching, giving advice, and helping and being of service to people; People with Artistic interests: like work that deals with the artistic side of things, such as acting, music, art, and design. They like creativity in their work and work that can be done without following a set of rules; People with Enterprising interests: like work that has to do with starting up and carrying out business projects. These people like taking action rather than thinking about things. They like persuading and leading people, making decisions, and taking risks for profits; People with Conventional interests: like work that follows set procedures and routines. They prefer working with information and paying attention to details rather than working with ideas. They like working with clear rules and following a strong leader; People with Realistic interests: like work that includes practical, hands-on problems and answers. Often people with Realistic interests do not like careers that involve paperwork or working closely with others. They like working with plants and animals; real-world materials like wood, tools, and machinery; and outside work; People with Investigative interests: like work that has to do with ideas and thinking rather than physical activity or leading people. They like searching for facts and figuring out problems. After the scores are shown, they are saved in the backpack. A user is invited to click on a link identifying high-scoring occupations for subsequent job searches. In case the budget calculator was not used prior to this exercise, a link is also provided here. Even including the oops/password situation, it took this writer less than 15 minutes to go through this OMJ exercise. So, next time you have consumers waiting on a car insurance quote, have them sit down and give this tool a try. It just may be the resource that ensures future success! The ADA in Context: Including effects of the ADA in Ohio Compiled by Elizabeth L. Sammons, OOD Program Administrator Effects of the ADA In contrast to the Rehabilitations Act a generation earlier, the ADA’s ink of 1990 had hardly dried before visible ramifications began to take shape. The