DSACO: Down Syndrome Association of Central Ohio

06/03/2026

Last call to register for DSACO's Pike and Scioto Welcome Party!

Last year DSACO added two new counties to our service area, Pike and Scioto, and we're excited to welcome them into our community!

Join us for a party at Candyland Children’s Museum to celebrate, on Sunday, June 14 from 2 - 4 PM. Families are invited to explore three floors of hands-on exhibits filled with opportunities to create, build, imagine, and learn through play.

Tickets are free, but families must register by June 5 to reserve their tickets. Come celebrate this exciting new chapter with us! Visit https://www.dsaco.net/events/welcomeparty/ for more details and to register.

06/03/2026

Drum roll please! 🥁

Here it is, the moment you've been waiting for - DSACO is thrilled to announce our 2026 Columbus Buddy Walk theme: Forward Together!

As we celebrate 25 years of the Columbus Buddy Walk, we're excited to look towards the next 25 years as we move Forward Together!

Join us on Sunday, October 4 for an unforgettable day as our community comes together to celebrate people with Down syndrome. Walk with us as we move Forward Together, united by an extra chromosome!

Head over to columbusbuddywalk.org to find more information and to register to join us for this exciting celebration!

06/02/2026

Happy anniversary, Vanessa!

We are so grateful for all that you bring to the DSACO team and to our families. Over the last seven years, you have made an incredible impact on our community, and we look forward to many more!

Today, we’re celebrating a special milestone as Vanessa Armenta marks seven years with DSACO: Down Syndrome Association of Central Ohio!

Since joining our team, Vanessa has played an important role in strengthening connections throughout our community and helping people with Down syndrome and their families engage with programs and resources across our service area. Her commitment to our mission and the relationships she has built along the way have made a meaningful difference.

Thank you, Vanessa, for your dedication to the DSACO community. We are grateful for all you do and look forward to the impact you will continue to make in the years ahead.

Please join us in congratulating Vanessa on her anniversary!

06/02/2026

DSACO's Community Access Fund program is a great way to get out and experience - everything!

Submit your Community Access Fund application by June 15 for payment by June 30!

DSACO members can utilize up to $250 per year for their loved one with Down syndrome, so that they can participate in programs and enjoy activities in their own community.

To learn more about DSACO's Community Access Funds and to submit your reimbursement application, visit https://dsaco.net/families/parents-caregivers/ and click on "Community Access Fund.”

06/01/2026

Registration is now open for some of our upcoming events and programs!

⭐️Join us for DSACO's Annual Summer Social on Sunday, August 2! Get ready for some fun and excitement as we cheer on the Columbus Clippers! For just $20 per family, you’ll get admission tickets to the game, food vouchers, and exclusive access to the Pepsi Party Deck. Find more information and register here: https://www.dsaco.net/events/summersocial/.

⭐️Connect, grow, and celebrate at DSACO's 2026 Adult Conference happening August 21 - 23! Adults with Down syndrome (18+) and caregivers are invited to join us for this unforgettable weekend at Cherry Valley Hotel in Newark, Ohio. Find more information and register here: https://secure.qgiv.com/for/downsyndromeassociationofcentralohio/event/annualadultconference/.

⭐️Learn the fundamentals of golf at our Beginner Golf Clinic hosted in partnership with DSACO's Golf Classic and Golf Galaxy. The perfect opportunity for young enthusiasts to get a taste of the game. Learn more and register here: https://www.dsaco.net/events/golfclinic/.

⭐️IEP Kits are back! Updated annually, our IEP Kits provide innovative strategies to help you advocate for your student, ensuring they receive the support and services they need to thrive. Learn more and register here: https://www.dsaco.net/iepkit/.

We're looking forward to all of the ways we can connect with families in the coming months!

06/01/2026

Congratulations to our 2026 graduates! 🎓

Meet Joy! Joy is 19 years old and graduating from Westerville North High School. During her high school career, she enjoyed participating in cheer and dance.

Joy's favorite part of high school was participating in dance and cheer. She also loved homecoming and prom each year, and being able to get dressed up, go to dinner with friends and dance all night! One of the highlights for Joy was a trip to the basketball state finals with the team, where she stayed overnight and shared a room with two other cheer friends.

This summer, Joy is looking forward to spending her time swimming!

Joy's family shared, "I am very proud of you. Keep shining and be brave!"

Congratulations, Joy!

05/31/2026

Check out what's going down at DSACO for the month of June!

It's officially summer and we're excited for all the incredible things happening in June here at DSACO! We've got plenty of programs and events for everyone, and we hope that you'll schedule in some time to connect and recharge with your DSACO community.

For more details and registration information, visit https://www.dsaco.net/our-events/.

05/30/2026

Team Captains, there's still time to check our May Challenge off your list!

As we celebrate the 25th Columbus Buddy Walk, our May Challenge will inspire you to grow your impact before summer schedules take over!

Each team that raises $250 or more during the month of May will be entered into a drawing to win a 25th Anniversary VIP Walk Experience which includes: a VIP tailgate spot, a tent for your tailgate, a DSACO swag bundle and a $25 gift card!

Now's the time to set your team up for success and have a chance at winning this exciting prize! New donations and registrations during the month of May all count towards the challenge - we can't wait to see your team grow!

05/29/2026

Congratulations to our 2026 graduates! 🎓

Meet Paige! Paige is 20 years old and graduating from Fairbanks High School. During her high school career Paige enjoyed participating in cheerleading, Special Olympics, Young Life Capernaum, and Living Hope youth group.

What she enjoyed most about high school was making new friends and helping to run the school coffee shop, Cup of Joy.

Paige is looking forward to spending her summer enjoying the sunshine and outdoors, connecting with friends, working, and heading off on a family vacation.

When asked to share well wishes for their graduate, Paige's family shared "Paige, we are so incredibly proud of you! You are a ray of sunshine and an enormous gift to all!"

Congratulations, Paige!

05/28/2026

Smile for the camera! 📸

DSACO is thrilled to offer FREE photography sessions to our families once again this year! This is a great opportunity to capture beautiful photos of your loved ones and have them featured in our 2027 Faces in the Community Calendar.

Take advantage of a free professional family photo session to capture the perfect picture! Visit https://dsaco.net/calendar/ for more details and to find a photographer near you.