Preparing For Employment

What programs can help me prepare for a job?

Opportunities for Ohioans with Disabilities (OOD)

Opportunities for Ohioans with Disabilities, or OOD is a program that is available statewide. As a student with a disability, you may qualify for their services if your disability means you will need extra help finding employment. In fact, you may have already met an OOD counselor in your school.

OOD staff can attend your IEP meetings to help brainstorm possible employment opportunities and to help connect you to programs. The main program they operate in high schools is Pre-ETS (see next page for more information.) They also offer a Summer Youth Work Experience Program.

OOD is an important part of your school transition team. If you have not been connected with one of their staff, please ask your Special Education teacher to add them to your meetings.

Building Confidence: Discover Summer Work Experiences for Students with Disabilities

In the summer of 2025, Summer Youth Work Experience program unfolded across Ohio for students with disabilities aged 14-21. The program led by Opportunities for Ohioans with Disabilities (OOD) provided valuable on-the-job training and insights into the world of work, setting the stage for brighter futures.

Building Confidence: Discover Summer Work Experiences for Students with Disabilities

Pre-ETS

Opportunities for Ohioans with Disabilities offers a program for high school students with disabilities to help them explore careers and build skills to be successful in employment. It is called Pre-Employment Transition Services or Pre-ETS and it is a great way to begin your employment journey.

Pre-ETS can help you in five key ways:

  1. Pre-ETS can help you explore various careers and work with you to set job goals.
  2. Pre-ETS can provide opportunities to practice different jobs to see which ones you may like to explore further.
  3. The program provides you with information on the education or training you will need after high school to build skills for certain jobs.
  4. Pre-ETS can help you build the needed “people skills” to successful on the job.
  5. Pre-ETS helps you practice speaking up for the things you need.

Pre-ETS activities can be provided by a person from outside of the school or by a school staff member. The program is free, but you have to apply to participate. Ask your Special Education teacher if you are currently in the program and how to apply if you are not.

Illustration showing two hands shaking labeled Pre-ETS and OOD between two buildings labeled Free Help and Job Goals.

Employment Providers

As an adult you may qualify to receive assistance finding employment and learning new skills while on the job. These services will be given by an agency in your community that specializes in supporting people with disabilities. These “providers” may also have worked with you while in high school.

Speaking of high school, you can request that a local disability employment provider attend your IEP meeting to help plan what employment will look like after high school. Your Special Education teacher or OOD counselor can give you the names of these resources.

It is important to know that you have a choice in what provider you work with. Your family can help you make a decision as to which program is best for you.