ElevateDD

01/16/2026

ElevateDD is excited to announce our new webinar series: ConnecteDD! The series will launch with our first episode on February 17, featuring Adult Literacy Ohio’s Rachel Heiber.

Rachel will be joined by guests for "Unlocking Opportunities through Literacy," a discussion exploring why adults with disabilities choose to continue working on their literacy skills.

Registration is open for this first installment of ConnecteDD. Stay tuned for more details!

Register: https://us02web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_T5-iNxDJQhSzsaZMCIR8Kg

01/15/2026

Lasting change is built by people who show up, lead with compassion, and give their time so others can thrive. ElevateDD’s board is composed of people who prove this to be true.

For the past three years, the Board has been led by Angie Theaker. With her guidance, ElevateDD was launched and programming under DSACO: Down Syndrome Association of Central Ohio, Learning Aid Ohio, and Adult Literacy Ohio has grown stronger. To recognize her dedication, DSACO is honoring Angie as their inaugural Service Award recipient at their 2026 Dancing with Our Stars Gala!

We can’t wait to join DSACO and celebrate Angie at this year’s event! To learn more about the gala, and to purchase tickets, please visit https://charity.pledgeit.org/DSACOgala.

01/14/2026

As the Ohio General Assembly starts back up for the new year, we’re extending warm wishes and a shared commitment to progress. ElevateDD believes that strong policy is built through collaboration, listening, and the lived experiences of Ohioans with developmental disabilities and their families.

We look forward to working with legislators, partners, and advocates across the state to strengthen systems, remove barriers, and create pathways to opportunities. We believe in a more inclusive Ohio where people with developmental disabilities can thrive.

01/12/2026

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 Sara Rainey (DSACO: Down Syndrome Association of Central Ohio) for Reducing Barriers for Students on IEPs through Advocacy, a discussion where participants will gain an understanding of the IEP components and the documentation necessary to develop an IEP. The discussion will focus on who is required to be involved in the development of an IEP and the respective roles of the parent and school in the process. Each section of the IEP will be reviewed with an explanation of what information is required by IDEA 2004 and what needs to be recorded in the various IEP sections.

Date: Monday, January 26
Time: 6 PM

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

01/12/2026

This is a big win for inclusive play! Mattel has introduced its first autistic Barbie, created in collaboration with The Autistic Self Advocacy Network, to reflect real experiences and needs in play. From sensory-friendly clothing to noise-canceling headphones, a fidget spinner, communication tools, and articulated features that celebrate neurodivergent ways of engaging with the world, this is more than a doll. It is a powerful reminder that every child deserves to see themselves represented in the toys they love.

Representation is not just a buzzword. It is the foundation of belonging. When children with autism see themselves reflected in toys like Barbie, it normalizes neurodiversity and sparks empathy in all kids. It tells every child that there is no one way to be and that differences are something to be championed, not overlooked.

We love seeing toys that are inclusive, because when kids see themselves in the world around them, they know they belong.

01/09/2026

We’re so proud of the partnership that continues to grow between DSACO: Down Syndrome Association of Central Ohio and Nationwide Children's Hospital, and this week we had the joy of visiting the newly reimagined Down Syndrome Program. Walking through the space, we were reminded what’s possible when care is designed with the whole family in mind: connection, expertise, compassion, and support woven together in ways that truly make a difference.

The comprehensive, coordinated care now available to DSACO families is nothing short of remarkable, and we’re inspired by the progress of this program and the lives it’s touching every day.

We can’t wait to celebrate Nationwide Children’s Hospital as DSACO’s Impact Award honoree at the 2026 Dancing with Our Stars Gala on February 7! Join us in honoring this incredible partnership. Find event details, purchase tickets, and make a donation at https://charity.pledgeit.org/DSACOgala.

01/08/2026

Today, we are celebrating Jen, ElevateDD’s Grants Manager, who has spent the past year helping turn vision into opportunity for people with developmental disabilities and their families. Through her thoughtful stewardship of resources and behind-the-scenes leadership, Jen ensures our programs can grow, thrive, and reach the people who need them most. We are deeply grateful for her commitment and for the meaningful impact she continues to make across our ElevateDD communities.

01/07/2026

The Stanford Center on Early Childhood RAPID Survey highlights what so many families already know: parents of young children with disabilities face significant economic and emotional challenges that can undermine family well-being and children’s development.

“RAPID measures material hardship as difficulty in the last month paying for one or more basic needs, including food, housing, utilities, child care, and healthcare. Consistent access to basic needs is key to a stable home environment and economic well-being that supports overall family well-being and the healthy development of young children.”

Our own “Child Care & Developmental Disabilities” report echoes these findings, showing that affordable, available, and inclusive child care is too often out of reach for Ohio families.

At ElevateDD, we’re working to change these circumstances across Ohio, so every family has the support they need to thrive.

01/06/2026

We’re honored to celebrate Nationwide Children's Hospital with DSACO: Down Syndrome Association of Central Ohio, and grateful for partners who invest in meaningful support and trusted resources. Join us in congratulating them on their 2026 Dancing with Our Stars Impact Award and the launch of the Down Syndrome Program, a connected and supportive experience for families.

DSACO is thrilled to introduce our 2026 Dancing with Our Stars Impact Award recipient, Nationwide Children's Hospital!

In partnership with DSACO, Nationwide Children's Hospital recently opened the Down Syndrome Program, a family-centered clinic providing diagnostic and treatment services to children and adolescents with Down syndrome and their families.

The entire team at Nationwide Children’s Hospital truly embodies the values of inclusion, advocacy, and community. We're thrilled to honor Nationwide Children's Hospital as our 2026 DSACO Impact Award Recipient for their ongoing, and growing, partnership!

01/05/2026

Today, we are celebrating Erika, ElevateDD’s incredible Administrative Assistant, whose dedication and commitment have been part of our organization for the past three years. From the steady behind-the-scenes support she provides to the care she shows in every project, Erika helps keep our work moving forward each day. We are deeply grateful for the many ways she strengthens our community and the impact she continues to make across ElevateDD.

01/03/2026

As we close out another year, ElevateDD’s work across Ohio in 2025 reflects a strong, shared commitment to learning, connection, and authentic inclusion. Behind that commitment are countless efforts focused on building communities where everyone belongs, and we’re proud to highlight the impact of this work.

Our final reflection looks at ElevateDD’s continued support of initiatives that help make Ohio a more inclusive place for people with developmental disabilities.

Throughout 2025, ElevateDD proudly supported efforts to expand access to universal changing tables across the state. These efforts help remove barriers, promote dignity, and create more welcoming public spaces for individuals and families, strengthening communities where inclusion is not just a value, but a reality.

01/02/2026

As the new year begins, we are reflecting on the power of stories and how they shape who we are. From Buddy Walk moments to everyday connections, it is your experiences that guide our advocacy and programs. Those stories built DSACO: Down Syndrome Association of Central Ohio and continue to lead our work through Learning Aid Ohio, Adult Literacy Ohio, and now ElevateDD.

Thank you for trusting us with your stories and for building this community with us. We’re excited for continued connections in 2026!