Flashing lights approaching behind our vehicle give all of us a little jolt – no matter the situation. That anxiety is often amplified for drivers and passengers with disabilities, whose ability to communicate with police and other first responders may be affected by their disability. Thousands of Ohioans know this feeling – and a simple …

Ask her the secret to 50 happy years of marriage, and Isabelle Laughrey will say there isn’t much of a secret. “Just love,” she said. “Love is the same in sickness and health; love is for everybody.” Laughrey and her husband, Clifford, recently celebrated their golden anniversary at a dinner party with friends, hugs, presents …

The tag-along bicycle that David Kaplan ordered online wasn’t what he hoped. The more he looked at it, the more he knew it needed serious work before it could keep his son safe, upright and rolling along. “I kind of had the idea, but I didn’t have the expertise,” Kaplan said. So like thousands of …

The Franklin County Board of Developmental Disabilities wants your feedback! Our annual community survey is brief and anonymous, but very important: Responses will help us know how we are doing and identify ways to improve. The survey also helps guide the development of our annual action plan, which will be shared with the public. People …

Best Buddies Citizens, a program that fosters friendships between adults with and without developmental disabilities, is seeking volunteers without disabilities to connect with Franklin County residents in need of a match. “We have a lot of people with intellectual or developmental disabilities who are in our pipeline waiting for a one-to-one friendship,” said Shannon Wilson, …

Recently someone asked why I don’t write more about great things that happen. While it’s true that I’m often pointing out things that aren’t so great, the reason is pretty simple. The bad, sad and negative things are anomalies – small blips in what is otherwise a happy life, one full of good people who …

Registration is open and winners have been announced for the 2025 Community Star Awards, an annual celebration of the Franklin County DD community and some of its most extraordinary people and partners. This year’s Star Awards takes place Wednesday, October 8, at The Boathouse at Confluence Park, 679 W. Spring St. in Columbus. The evening …

The Franklin County Board of Developmental Disabilities wants your feedback! Our annual community survey is brief and anonymous, but very important: Responses will help us know how we are doing and identify ways to improve. The survey also helps guide the development of our annual action plan, which will be shared with the public. People …

Franklin County DD is now accepting fee-waiver requests to cover the full cost of the 2025 Synergy Conference fee for people served by Franklin County, along with a support person if needed. Franklin County DD also will provide a transportation option to and from the conference this year. Synergy takes place October 1-3 at the …

Racing around the track, which she does at a blistering pace, Aviva Pearce feels free. Worries and troubles can’t catch her. “I do love it,” the 14-year-old said. “It takes away all my problems.” Aviva was selected by her school as this year’s winner of the Archie Griffin Sportsmanship Award, the highest honor a middle-school …