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Katie Snyder loves helping students with disabilities overcome barriers to employment as a vocational rehabilitation counselor serving students at Ohio University Chillicothe , Ohio University Southern and Shawnee State University. Through Opportunities for Ohioans with Disabilities ’ (OOD) Ohio College2Careers program, Snyder helps students access tools and resources to navigate their academic and career paths.
Snyder became a vocational rehabilitation counselor after a 15-year career as a pre-K special education teacher. Her transition into vocational rehabilitation was fueled by her desire to serve college students and her passion for working with people with disabilities.
"I wanted to work with college students," she said. "Helping them overcome barriers to employment and education is incredibly fulfilling."
The Ohio College2Careers program, part of Opportunities for Ohioans with Disabilities (OOD), aims to empower students by providing a range of services from career counseling and assistive technology support to resume building and job placement.
One of the program's highlights is its ability to adapt and cater to the diverse needs of students. Whether it's providing assistive technology to support notetaking or offering educational support funds to help pay for tuition, fees, laptops, or books, Ohio College2Careers ensures that each student receives personalized assistance.
Snyder explained that many students may not realize that they are eligible for support from OOD.
"It's not just about physical disabilities,” she said. “We help students with ADHD, mental health conditions, and other health conditions that may be barriers to education."
Looking forward, Snyder hopes to build awareness of the Ohio College2Careers program to ensure all students are informed about the services and support they can access through the program.
Students and faculty interested in learning more about the Ohio College2Careers program or seeking support can text or call Katie Snyder at 220-246-2254 or katherine.snyder@ood.ohio.gov .
Any OHIO student with a disability can access services from OOD through the Ohio College2Careers program, which works with students at OHIO and other colleges and universities to ensure students with disabilities have the support they need to complete their degrees and/or credentials, earn higher wages, and meet the demands of tomorrow’s labor market.