OOD Works Opportunities for Ohioans with Disabilities

When Gabrielle “Gabby” Kozinsi rolls into the room, her spirit is as unstoppable as her drive for advocacy. Join us as Ms. Wheelchair Ohio 2024 shares about her refusal to be confined by cerebral palsy or social barriers. Her mission? To enlighten children on the importance of embracing people with disabilities, a lesson she shares from her firsthand experiences. To learn more, visit the Ms. Wheelchair Ohio website, Gabby’s Facebook page, or email Gabby.With support from Opportunities for Ohi...

Dylan LeMaster, an 11th grader at Riverside High School and Auburn Career Center is known for being curious, determined, and skilled at using technology. He began learning Braille at age three and quickly became interested in using assistive technology. He even appeared on The Steve Harvey Show five years ago, showcasing how he was the youngest individual using the OrCam MyEye 2 for greater independence at home and school.During the past summer, Dylan participated in an Opportunities for Ohio...

Charity Bauer exemplifies how barriers can be shattered and goals can be reached, even when faced with challenges. Growing up in Oklahoma, Charity had a strong role model in her grandfather, who was also blind. He worked as a Vocational Rehabilitation Counselor, serving transition-age students. When Charity moved to Ohio, she remembered that every state has a vocational rehabilitation agency that can help individuals with disabilities get and keep a job. Following a Google search, Charit...

Opportunities for Ohioans with Disabilities' Division of Disability Determination (DDD), in agreement with the Social Security Administration (SSA), determines medical eligibility for Ohioans who apply for Social Security disability benefits. DDD is federally regulated and receives 100% of its funding from SSA. Under SSA, disability is based on an individual’s inability to work. Robert Fenn and Brandon Smith, Public Affairs Specialists with SSA, join the podcast to discuss ch...

Ever wondered why we need more inclusive literature? Come, sit awhile, and listen to Allison Boot, Ms. Wheelchair Ohio 2023 and an established author, as she talks about her fascinating journey into the world of disability-inclusive literature. Allison, with her books “Just the Way You Are,” “The Magic Within,” and “Love the Way You Dance,” is breaking stereotypes and nurturing empathy among young readers. She also shares her challenges and triumphs in developing an often overlooked yet essen...

Meet Kinshuk Tella, a remarkable college graduate from Miami University who has embraced his passion for science. “I want to be part of something bigger than myself, which is the environmental issues we face, in particular climate change,” Kinshuk explains.Kinshuk is on track to complete his graduate studies in December 2023 and will receive a Master of Environmental Science degree from Miami University. This summer Kinshuk has been interning in Washington, D.C. where he has focused on nation...