Best Buddies Citizens in Franklin County is looking for volunteers to join the program and build meaningful one-to-one friendships with adults with disabilities. By creating friendships between people with and without disabilities, Best Buddies Citizens fosters connection, community and confidence. The program is designed for adults 25 years and older who are looking for social connections and …

Shemaine Bakir, an experienced leader in human resources, operations and organizational transformation, joined Franklin County DD in March as the agency’s HR director. She most recently served as a regional executive director for the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID), where she headed HR and administrative operations for more than 400 staff across eight countries. …

Many years ago, when the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) was on the horizon but not yet law, I did trainings for companies called “Windmills Training.” The idea was to educate and to challenge general notions about disability, especially in the workplace. The two-hour training featured activities such as tying a brick onto the bottom …

For the past 39 years, communities nationwide have stepped up their inclusive events, activities, and messages during March in celebration of Developmental Disabilities Awareness Month. Much progress has been made since that first observance in 1987. Franklin County DD encourages everyone—civic leaders, elected officials, employers, educators and others—to consider ways we can continue to build …

Franklin County residents with developmental disabilities who want to be employed can look to many sources of support—their Franklin County DD service coordinators, providers, advocacy organizations and the state’s Opportunities for Ohioans with Disabilities. But it’s also important to remember how much a person can accomplish on his or her own, Franklin County DD board …

As the six-week parenting course drew to an end, Hilary Harlan realized that she and other members of the group weren’t ready to stop talking. “Getting to know different parents through that Triple P (Positive Parenting Program) was pretty awesome,” said Harlan, who has a 4-year-old son with developmental disabilities. “So when we got to …

As we enter Black History Month this February, it’s important to pause—not just to recognize history, but to reflect on how our personal experiences shape the work we do each day. Long before I became the first Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Coordinator at Franklin County DD, the matter was personal for me. As the father …

Though his previous job wasn’t a good fit, Evan Koloski didn’t give up hopes of being happily employed. He just needed to find a place where the pace and the people felt right. “It worked out for the best,” Koloski said, “because I ended up here.” The 27-year-old has now been a staff member at …

Samantha Perry had a great year of advocacy in 2025, including winning a Franklin County DD Community Star Award in the self-advocate category. Dateline caught up with Perry—known to her friends as Sam—during a recent meeting of the Franklin County DD Self-Advocate Advisory Council. She also was recognized last fall for contributing artwork to the …

While shopping and walking around at a store recently, I once again used my superpower.  It was amazing!  Poof, I was invisible!  My ability to remain unseen comes up so often that other superheroes like Batman or Superman could probably learn a thing or two from me.  I think I am called to use my …