DSACO: Down Syndrome Association of Central Ohio

03/24/2026

DSACO is thrilled to announce our 2026 Post-Secondary Scholarship Recipients!

Our Post-Secondary Scholarships are awarded to self-advocates, siblings, parents, cousins, or other relatives of people with Down syndrome who are planning to pursue careers in which they will positively impact the lives of people with Down syndrome.

These scholarships are made possible through funding provided by generous community partners, including the GLOW Foundation. This program has awarded more than $200,000 since its inception in 2004!

Meet Emily! Emily lives in Dublin, Ohio and is the oldest of three siblings, including her sister Grace, who has Down syndrome. Emily attended elementary and middle school at St. Brigid of Kildare and is now a senior at Bishop Watterson High School. She is a part of the National Honor Society and the costume manager for the theater.

After high school, Emily plans to attend The Ohio State University to study Integrated Social Studies Education, with plans to teach high school history. As a teacher, Emily is looking forward to ensuring everyone feels capable of learning no matter what, even if they are different from others. Emily plans to make personal connections with her students that allow them to feel cared for and valued.

This scholarship will help Emily continue her education in college and specifically learn how to be the best teacher she can, especially to students who may learn differently.

Congratulations, Emily! 🎉

03/23/2026

Have you shopped our 2026 World Down Syndrome Day Celebration Collection Pop-Up Shop yet?

In celebration of World Down Syndrome Day, DSACO is pleased to partner with The Awesome Company to offer these exclusive designs to celebrate, raise awareness, and show your support for the Down syndrome community.

Every purchase helps DSACO carry out its mission to support families, promote community involvement, and encourage a lifetime of opportunities for people with Down syndrome.

Visit https://http-theawesome-com.printavo.com/merch/dsaco-wdsd-celebration-collection-2026 to check it out and order your swag before March 29.

03/23/2026

DSACO is thrilled to announce our 2026 Post-Secondary Scholarship Recipients!

Our Post-Secondary Scholarships are awarded to self-advocates, siblings, parents, cousins, or other relatives of people with Down syndrome who are planning to pursue careers in which they will positively impact the lives of people with Down syndrome.

These scholarships are made possible through funding provided by generous community partners, including the GLOW Foundation. This program has awarded more than $200,000 since its inception in 2004!

Meet Addie! Addie Kearns is from Delaware, Ohio where she graduated from Olentangy Berlin High School in 2024. She is a sophomore at Ohio University studying Journalism News and Information with a minor in Sport Management. On campus, she is a Production Assistant for ESPN+ with OHIO Athletics and a Director for WOUB Public Media.

Through her work in sports production, she wants to create media that reflects the full diversity of athletes and gives every competitor, including those like her brother, the visibility and respect they deserve.

Congratulations, Addie! 🎉

03/22/2026

March is National Social Work Month, check out this recent blog post by DSACO's licensed social worker, Kirsti Osborne!

Thank you for sharing about your experience serving the families of DSACO!

“At DSACO, social work is woven into everything we do. We support people with Down syndrome and their families prenatally through adulthood across 25 counties in Central Ohio, ensuring no family navigates the journey alone.”

March is National Social Work Month, a time to recognize the impact of social workers in strengthening communities and supporting families. DSACO: Down Syndrome Association of Central Ohio's licensed social worker, Kirsti Osborne, shared how social work shapes and strengthens the work we do every day.

Read more on our blog: https://www.elevatedd.org/news/celebratingsocialwork

03/22/2026

What a day! Part 1 of our Proud to Be Me Fashion Show from our World Down Syndrome Day Celebration today!

We had a blast celebrating with our families today, stay tuned for part 2!

03/21/2026

Registration for the 2026 Columbus Buddy Walk is now open! 🎉

2026 marks DSACO's 25th Buddy Walk and we cannot wait to celebrate even bigger and better than ever! Join us on Sunday, October 4 at Fortress Obetz as we come together as a community to celebrate our loved ones with Down syndrome.

Registration is $25 and includes a FREE 2026 Columbus Buddy Walk T-shirt. As always, your loved one with Down syndrome is free to register!

Create your Buddy Walk team with at least one paid registrant TODAY, March 21, and received a FREE custom team poster to use on walk day! (pictured here)

Head over to columbusbuddywalk.org to get started! Once you're registered, shout out your team name in the comments below! 📣

03/21/2026

Today, March 21, is World Down Syndrome Day!

We celebrate and advocate for people with Down syndrome each and every day but today is a day where others around the world celebrate with us!

WDSD brings people together to celebrate the unique abilities, talents and accomplishments of people with Down syndrome. Join us as we advocate for inclusion and work towards a world where everyone is valued and included!

We'd love to hear how you're celebrating today! Tell us in the comments below or share a picture of your loved one with Down syndrome.

03/20/2026

Kendra Scott is hosting a Give Back event for DSACO this Saturday, March 21, at their Easton location in celebration of World Down Syndrome Day!

Stop in anytime on Saturday to shop and 20% of your purchase will come back to DSACO! Just make sure to mention DSACO when checking out.

Can't stop in? You can also shop and support online at www.kendrascott.com from March 20 - 22 with code: GIVEBACK-LPZYI.

03/20/2026

Today is the last day of 3.21 In Honor of You! All week, our community has been honoring the people who introduced them to the Down syndrome community.

We’ve surpassed our goal of raising $3,210, but there’s still time for you to make an impact!

When you make a gift today, you’ll receive a printable card you can share with the person who inspired it.

Make your gift before midnight and celebrate someone who changed your world at https://www.dsaco.net/donate/.

03/19/2026

"Our daughter Lizzie is one of the greatest joys in our lives. She brings so much light, determination, and love into our family and everyone she meets. Having a child with Down syndrome has opened our eyes to the beauty of a truly inclusive community and how important it is to ensure people like Lizzie are supported, celebrated, and given every opportunity to thrive.

That is why World Down Syndrome Day on 3.21 is so meaningful to us. It is a day to recognize the incredible people in our lives and to raise awareness about what inclusion and acceptance really look like.

This week, we are proud to support DSACO’s 3.21 in Honor of You campaign. DSACO has been a vital part of our journey, providing connection, resources, and a community that uplifts families like ours every single day.

If someone special has touched your heart, we invite you to make a gift in their honor this week. Your support helps ensure that people with Down syndrome continue to be celebrated, empowered, and included.

Thank you for loving and supporting this community alongside us." - Julie

If you'd like to join Julie in her support of our 3.21 In Honor of You campaign, visit https://www.dsaco.net/donate/.

03/19/2026

Are you interested in being a part of planning the 2026 Columbus Buddy Walk?

We'd love to have you join our 2026 Buddy Walk Committee and help us plan one of the best days of the year! 🎉

As a committee member, you'll play a key role in helping to make our Buddy Walk unforgettable! Volunteers are expected to attend monthly Zoom meetings as well as help out the day-of.

If you're interested in volunteering, please contact Mari Cox at mcox@dsaco.net.