(COLUMBUS, OH) – National Disability Employment Awareness Month is a campaign held every October to celebrate the many contributions of America’s workers with disabilities and raise awareness regarding the employment of people with disabilities. Opportunities for Ohioans with Disabilities (OOD) is leading the state’s efforts across Ohio to promote the benefits of hiring individuals with disabilities. Specifically, the agency hosts hiring events to facilitate job interviews for OOD job seekers and employers with available positions.
“National Disability Employment Awareness Month recognizes the role Ohioans with disabilities play in creating a strong, inclusive workforce,” said Ohio Governor Mike DeWine. “Hiring people with disabilities is a win-win for both the businesses and the people they hire.”
“OOD serves both Ohio businesses and individuals with disabilities,” said Kevin Miller, OOD Director. “We match qualified individuals with disabilities with the hiring needs of our employer partners. Last year, we assisted nearly 5,700 individuals with disabilities in finding employment.”
During October, OOD will host hiring events for OOD job seekers and employers specifically looking to hire individuals with disabilities. The hiring events are for all regions of the state, providing individuals with disabilities a unique opportunity to connect one-on-one with employers.
Also, OOD will host a no-cost webinar for employers, The Employers’ Reasonable Accommodation Handbook: Neurodiversity at Work, on October 19 at 10 a.m. Employers will learn best practices for navigating the interactive process through the lens of neurodiversity, ways to foster a disability-inclusive workplace, and ideas for providing effective reasonable accommodations. More information, including the link to join, can be found on OOD’s website.
About OOD
OOD is the state agency responsible for empowering Ohioans with disabilities through employment, disability determinations, and independence. www.OOD.Ohio.Gov