Company Profile
Opportunities for Ohioans with Disabilities
Company Overview
Our Mission
Opportunities for Ohioans with Disabilities (OOD) is the State of Ohio agency whose mission is to empower Ohioans with disabilities through employment, disability determination, and independence.
Employment
OOD helps connect the people of Ohio who have disabilities with the resources, support, and opportunities that fit their unique needs, abilities, and interests so that they can find and retain meaningful employment. Our Bureau of Vocational Rehabilitation (BVR) and Bureau of Services for the Visually Impaired (BSVI) tag-team to provide these services in partnership with hundreds of providers across Ohio.
Our Division of Employer and Innovation Services also helps Ohio companies recruit, retain, and achieve accessibility in the workplace for employees with disabilities.
Disability Determination
OOD also supports Ohioans applying for disability insurance or supplemental income by helping to determine whether they medically qualify for federal disability benefits through the Social Security Administration (SSA). Our Division of Disability Determination provides this support in agreement with the SSA.
Independence
Independence for Ohioans with disabilities unites and drives all aspects of our agency. Our services, programs, and partnerships aim to help Ohioans live with greater independence and create a dependable foundation for their lives.
Through our Accessible Ohio initiative, we also consult with Ohio businesses, venues, attractions, and communities to identify barriers and establish goals for accessibility — directly supporting Ohio Governor Mike DeWine's commitment to making Ohio a disability-inclusion state and model employer of individuals with disabilities.
Guiding Principles
Our mission drives the work we do. Our principles guide how we do it. We aim for service excellence by:
- Listening first
- Acting with a sense of urgency
- Honoring diversity
- Fostering inclusiveness
- Valuing collaboration
- Inspiring innovation
- Being transparent and accountable
- Celebrating success
Diversity, Equity, Accessibility, And Inclusion
OOD strives to hire, sustain, and promote a workforce that embraces our mission and reflects the same rich diversity as the Ohioans we serve.
We consider diversity comprehensively — including race, ethnicity, gender, sexual orientation, disability, age, and all other human dynamics that shape creative perspective and professional experience.
We intentionally cultivate an inclusive, diverse, and equitable environment where all voices are heard, respected, and valued, as demonstrated by how we treat all individuals.
Equal Employment Opportunity
The State of Ohio is an Equal Employment Opportunity Employer. It does not discriminate based on race, color, religion, gender, gender identity or expression, national origin (ancestry), military status, disability, age (40 years or older), genetic information, sexual orientation, or caregiver status, in making employment-related decisions about an individual.
Benefits
At the State of Ohio, we take care of the team that cares for Ohioans. We provide a variety of quality, competitive benefits to eligible full-time and part-time employees. For a list of all the State of Ohio Benefits, visit our Total Rewards website! Our benefits package includes:
Medical Coverage
- Quality, affordable, and competitive medical benefits are offered through the Ohio Med PPO plan.
Dental, Vision and Basic Life Insurance
- Dental, vision and basic life insurance premiums are free
Time Away From Work and Work/Life Balance
- Paid time off, including vacation, personal, and sick leave
- 11 paid holidays per year
- Childbirth/Adoption leave
Ohio Public Employees Retirement System
- OPERS is the retirement system for State of Ohio employees. The employee contributes 10% of their salary towards their retirement. The employer contributes an amount equal to 14% of the employee’s salary. Visit the OPERS website for more information.
Deferred Compensation
- The Ohio Deferred Compensation program is a 457(b) voluntary retirement savings plan. Visit the Ohio Deferred Compensation website for more information.