ElevateDD

11/26/2025

There is still time to plan to join ElevateDD and the Ohio Coalition for the Education of Children with Disabilities (OCECD) on December 1 for Topics in Educational Advocacy, a webinar series supporting students with disabilities, their families, and educators.

Join host Rachel Heiber (Adult Literacy Ohio), Janet Kolk (OCECD), and Vanessa Armenta (DSACO) for an empowering conversation about parents’ rights under IDEA 2004, including Free and Appropriate Public Education (FAPE), evaluation timelines, mediation, and more.

Date: Monday, December 1
Time: 6 PM

Register: https://us02web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_24f0iLN-Te-OMuT3h42Mcg

11/24/2025

As we prepare to gather with family and friends to celebrate Thanksgiving, Ohio Department of Developmental Disabilities has a communication board to help make your holidays more inclusive!

11/20/2025

DSACO: Down Syndrome Association of Central Ohio's first Week of Giving shows what is possible when a community comes together with purpose. This support strengthens programs for people with Down syndrome and their families in DSACO's 25-county service area.

ElevateDD is proud to celebrate this milestone alongside our DSACO community and all who work to advance inclusion and opportunity.

What a week! 🎉

Thank you to everyone who stepped up and said, “Count Me In” during DSACO’s first-ever Week of Giving. We’re thrilled to share that we unlocked our $10,000 match, raising $27,412 in total from more than 50 individual donors and supporters. Wow!

This support sustains DSACO’s mission to deliver programs and resources for people with Down syndrome and their families throughout 25 Ohio counties.

Your gifts and your belief in this community show what it means to say, “I am DSACO.”

Because of you, we can continue to support, innovate, and speak out for inclusion.

11/19/2025

Siblings of people with developmental disabilities often grow into lifelong advocates, caregivers, and champions for inclusion. They play a vital role in their families and deserve space to learn, reflect, and connect with others who share similar experiences.

Ohio SIBS is hosting a Sibling Summit on December 3, a powerful three-hour session designed specifically for siblings of people with disabilities.

When siblings are supported, families are strengthened, and stronger families build more inclusive communities across Ohio.

Find more info here: https://lp.constantcontactpages.com/ev/reg/2amu9hd/lp/17f9061d-f994-411f-b918-034cf102d4fa

FOR SIBLINGS!

Sibling Summit Series (3 hour)

Ohio SIBS invites you to a 3-hour experience created exclusively for siblings of individuals with disabilities.

Whether you are actively involved in caregiving, beginning to navigate your role in future planning, or simply seeking connection and understanding, this event is designed for you.

During this session, you will:

* Connect with other siblings who share similar experiences and insights
* Hear impactful stories that reflect the sibling journey
* Engage in expert-led conversations tailored to sibling roles and responsibilities

Register on our webpage or link in comments.

This is for adult siblings of all ages and their supporters.

Pizza and refreshments will be provided!

11/18/2025

Enrollment for Learning Aid Ohio's Spring Semester is open!

Learning Aid Ohio, an ElevateDD community, offers grant-funded tutoring for students on IEPs. Learn more, and submit an application, at www.learningaidohio.org.

"Our tutor is very experienced, knowledgeable, and patient. My learner has become more confident and ready to learn. This program has been invaluable to our family—having three children with learning disabilities and special needs, Learning Aid Ohio allows us to afford the assistance they require." – Learning Aid Ohio Account Manager

11/17/2025

ElevateDD is proud to partner with the Ohio Coalition for the Education of Children with Disabilities (OCECD) for Topics in Educational Advocacy, a webinar series supporting students with disabilities, their families, and educators.

Join host Rachel Heiber (Adult Literacy Ohio), Janet Kolk (OCECD), and Vanessa Armenta (DSACO: Down Syndrome Association of Central Ohio) for an empowering conversation about parents’ rights under IDEA 2004, including Free and Appropriate Public Education (FAPE), evaluation timelines, mediation, and more.

Date: Monday, December 1
Time: 6 PM

Register now: https://us02web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_24f0iLN-Te-OMuT3h42Mcg

11/14/2025

"When our son was born, DSACO provided us with a sense of connection and confidence. The programs and friendships we’ve formed here have had a profound impact on our lives." - Kay, a DSACO parent.

This is just one of many beautiful testimonials from a DSACO family that illustrates the impact of the organization. Your support helps keep our community strong. Please consider making a gift during DSACO: Down Syndrome Association of Central Ohio's Week of Giving to help unlock the $10,000 match.

www.dsaco.net/donate

When you say “Count Me In,” you’re joining a community that:

- Helps people overcome challenges and live full, meaningful lives.
- Supports families with care, resources, and connection.
- Builds a stronger voice for those who too often go unheard.

As we continue with our Week of Giving, we're excited to move closer and closer to unlocking our full $10,000 match!

Hear from one of the people who make this community strong:
"When our son was born, DSACO provided us with a sense of connection and confidence. The programs and friendships we’ve formed here have had a profound impact on our lives." - Kay, a DSACO parent.

Make an impact on this incredible community this week through a donation here: https://www.dsaco.net/donate/.

11/13/2025

ElevateDD President & CEO Troy Hunter provided testimony today on HB 455 and the impact of counting students on IEPs as graduates while still allowing them to remain enrolled in their districts and participate in school services through age 21.

Students on IEPs are currently counted against school district report cards when they remain enrolled to receive vital transition services. The Ohio House Education Committee is discussing how to better support students with developmental disabilities as they prepare for life after high school and for the workforce.

Adam Bird for Ohio State Representative, one of the bill’s sponsors, commented, “I want to start by making sure Ohio knows that many of our schools are taking a hit on the report card because they're doing the right thing for students with disabilities,” while discussing the importance of focusing on increased access to transition services for students on IEPs.

11/12/2025

Too many families are forced to start over, again and again.

Seven out of ten families raising a child with a developmental disability have had to switch child care providers because their child’s needs weren’t met. Behind that number are real stories of exhaustion and exclusion.

Families shouldn’t have to fight this hard for access to quality care. Every provider deserves the training and support to say yes, and every family deserves a system that doesn’t make them start from scratch. It’s time to build a system that supports every child.

See where Ohio families need more support: https://www.elevatedd.org/childcare

11/11/2025

Spring enrollment is now open!

Learning Aid Ohio, a proud ElevateDD community, connects students with IEPs to qualified tutors for one-on-one, in-person support that helps learners build confidence, strengthen skills, and reach their goals.

Free tutoring is available for Ohio students with IEPs. Families can choose from our network of approved tutors or invite someone they trust to apply. Grant funding is available statewide.

The Spring Semester runs January 10 through May 8, 2026, and applications are reviewed as they’re received.

Learn more and apply: www.LearningAidOhio.org

11/10/2025

Every child has a right to an education that creates pathways to the best opportunities in life.

Ask your elected officials to ensure that special education remains strong, equitable, and accountable for all.

To make your voice heard, visit the National Down Syndrome Congress Action Center at https://bit.ly/NDSCActionAlerts.

Follow the steps outlined in the alert, whether that means sending an email, calling your Representative or Senator, or sharing key messages.

Encourage others in your community (families, friends, teachers, caregivers) to take action too.

11/06/2025

ElevateDD continues to advocate for inclusive, accessible child care options so every child with a developmental disability in Ohio has the opportunity to thrive. This week, we submitted public comment on a proposed rule change that could affect access to inclusive child care.

The Ohio Department of Children and Youth (DCY) has proposed updates to OAC 5180:2-16-09 / 5180:6-1-09 that would require programs receiving the Special Needs Enhanced Rate for publicly funded child care to obtain and maintain the Ohio PROMISE Program Designation (OPPD) and complete the Professional Early Childhood Inclusion Credential (PECIC).

In addition, OAC 5180:2-16-01 expands the definition of “special needs” to include areas such as developmental, emotional, cognitive, communication, sensory, and motor needs.

Public comments are open until November 10, 2025.

Submit feedback at https://childrenandyouth.ohio.gov/for-partners/rules-and-resources/09-proposed-rules-and-business-impact-analyses.