WORKERS WITH INTELLECTUAL AND DEVELOPMENTAL DISABILITIES

Ohio Contacts

State Agency Responsible for Providing Services to People with Developmental Disabilities

The Ohio Department of Developmental Disabilities (DODD) believes that adults with mental retardation and other developmental disabilities should receive the full range of services they need to be participating members of their communities. Adult services are designed to help all individuals choose vocational and social challenges, and pursue them in the most integrated and least restrictive settings possible. Adult Services options are provided according to a person's assessed needs and preferences, which are identified through a planning process. Adult services may include, but not be limited to: community/ supported employment; vocational training; adult day activities including social, leisure and recreational activities; and sheltered employment; and, are to be provided by a qualified and willing provider of the individual's choice. These services are generally planned through a Person-Centered Planning Process.

Ohio Department of Developmental Disabilities
30 East Broad Street, 13th Floor
Columbus, OH 43215
Phone: 800-617-6733

State Agency Responsible for Overseeing Employment Opportunities for People with Developmental Disabilities

The Ohio Rehabilitation Services Commission is the state agency that helps people with disabilities get jobs. This is accomplished through its Bureau of Vocational Rehabilitation and Bureau of Services for the Visually Impaired. Once eligibility for vocational rehabilitation services is determined, an individual meets with a counselor to choose a suitable employment goal. An Individualized Plan for Employment which contains the services needed to reach the individual's goal is planned. These services may include: continuing education or specialized job training; work adjustment training; tools and equipment; on-the-job training; and job placement and follow-up.

Bureau of Vocational Rehabilitation
400 E. Campus View Blvd.
Columbus, OH 43235-4604
Phone: 614-438-7200 Voice/TTY
800-282-4536 Outside Ohio, Voice/TTY

Sheltered Employment

Sheltered workshops provide employment opportunities for individuals who are not yet ready for competitive employment or who have decided that this option is not the right one for them at this time. The ODMRDD services available for adults through local county boards of DODD include sheltered employment/non-integrated employment in a workshop. Individuals are generally paid an hourly wage, or a per-piece completed basis in accordance with the Fair Labor Standards Act.

Ohio Department of Mental Retardation and Developmental Disabilities
30 East Broad Street, 13th Floor
Columbus, OH 43215
Phone: 800-617-6733

Competitive Employment

Supported employment services are provided for persons for whom competitive employment at or above the minimum wage is unlikely, and who, because of their disability, need ongoing support to perform in a work setting. Supported employment is conducted in a variety of settings, particularly work sites in which persons without disabilities are employed. Supported employment includes activities needed to sustain paid work by individuals receiving waiver services including supervision and training.

Ohio Department of Developmental Disabilities
30 East Broad Street, 13th Floor
Columbus, OH 43215
Phone: 877-464-6733

Health and Safety

Private sector employers can request a free health and safety consultation from the OSHA On-Site Consultation Program to help ensure the safety of their workers. To request an On-Site Consultation contact:

OSHA On-Site Consultation Program
Bureau of Workers' Compensation
30 W. Spring Street
Columbus, Ohio 43215-2256
Phone: 800-OHIOBWC (800-644-6292)
TTY: 800-BWC-4-TDD (800-292-4833)
Fax: 877-520-OHIO (6446)

Developmentally disabled workers in a public employment setting (including sheltered workshops and pre-vocational adult service centers operated by an Ohio county board of MRDD) are covered by the state's Public Employment Risk Reduction Program. In 1994, Ohio incorporated by reference Federal OSHA standards through the Public Employee Risk Reduction Act (Ohio Revised Code 4167.07)

Public Employment Risk Reduction Program
13430 Yarmouth Drive
Pickerington, Ohio 43147
Phone: 614-644-2246
800-671-6858
Fax: 614-644-3133

Workers with developmental disabilities in employed by an Ohio private sector employer are covered by the Federal Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA). There are four federal OSHA offices in Ohio.

To report safety and health concerns in a private employment setting contact the nearest federal OSHA office.

Cincinnati Area Office
36 Triangle Park Drive
Cincinnati, OH 45246
Phone: 513-841-4132
Fax: 513-841-4114

Columbus Area Office
200 North High Street, Room 620
Columbus, OH 43215
Phone: 614-469-5582
Fax: 614-469-6791

Cleveland Area Office
1240 East 9th Street, Rm. 899
Cleveland, OH 44199
Phone: 216-615-4266
Fax: 216-615-4234

Toledo Area Office
420 Madison Avenue
Suite 600
Toledo, OH 43604
Phone: 419-259-7542
Fax: 419-259-6355

Reporting Abuse and Neglect

Reporting abuse, neglect or theft against a person with mental retardation or other developmental disability is not only the right thing to do, it's the law. If you believe someone with a disability has been abused, please call this toll free number: 866-313-6733. State and local authorities will then investigate the incident.

State of Ohio
Department of Developmental Disabilities
30 east Broad Street, 13th Floor
Columbus, Ohio 43215
Phone: 800-617-6733

Protection and Advocacy

The Ohio Developmental Disabilities Council (ODDC) is a planning and advocacy body committed to community inclusion for people with developmental disabilities.

Ohio Developmental Disabilities Council
899 East Broad Street, Suite 203
Columbus, OH 43215
Telephone: 614-466-5205
Toll Free: 800-766-7426
FAX: 614-466-0298

Ohio Legal Rights Service (OLRS) advocates for people with disabilities to enjoy the same rights and opportunities as all people. OLRS offers information, publications, referrals, advocacy, legal counsel and representation to assist people with disabilities to prepare for, to enter and to remain in the work place.

Ohio Legal Rights Service
50 W. Broad St., Suite 1400
Columbus, Ohio 43215-5923
Phone: 614-466-7264 or 800-282-9181 (Toll free in Ohio only)
TTY: 614-728-2553 or 800-858-3542 (Toll free in Ohio only)
Fax: 614-644-1888